Story Published: Jun 11, 2008 at 11:47 PM MDT
Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:32 PM MDT
I spoke with Rachel "Raven" Litzau this afternoon after she was kicked out of the Ruth House. She tells me the organization is discriminating against her because of her beliefs.
Litzau came to the Ruth House two weeks ago with her 17-month-old son. She was trying to get away from her abusive husband and get back on her feet.
"They help you with job searches, with resumes. They try to help you combat any addiction you might have," says Litzau.
The Ruth House is a non-denominational christian housing center. They say they will accept anyone, but Litzau is pagan. And she tells me that quickly became a problem.
"It was along the lines of, 'Oh, well we've had a lot of complaints about this,' and then suddenly it was like she saw my ring for the first time, and said, 'Oh, and that's got to go that's satanic and your jewelry has to go,' and I said, 'I'm sorry I can't do that. It was really insulting because there's a big difference between satanism and paganism," says Litzau.
In addition to her jewelry, an administrator at the Ruth House had an issue with Litzau's choice of literature, a fiction series on witches.
When Litzau refused to discard her jewelry and books, she was asked to leave.
"It's upsetting because of the fact that it's supposed to be helping women get on their feet no matter what their faith," says Litzau.
Tonight, Litzau isn't sure where she'll stay.
"At the moment it's looking like a park bench or a bridge tonight because all of the shelters in town are basically filled up," says Litzau.
I couldn't talk to the director of the Ruth House on camera, but did reach him over the phone.
Robert Gulden tells me he's not even sure Litzau violated any of the organization's rules.
They don't have any standards on jewelry and the only rules on literature state that the ladies can't read books with descriptive words or pornographic pictures.
Gulden did mention Litzau was struggling to get along with the nine other girls in the room, and that probably influenced his staff's decision.
"At least be open minded. At least be accepting of others differences because that's what it feels like they're not doing right now," says Litzau.
Before I talked to Gulden, he hadn't even heard of the issue. He tells me he should have been notified and that his staff didn't follow proper protocol.
That's why Gulden is asking Litzau to come meet with him personally and try to work things out.
On a side note, Litzau was being housed through private funds and was required to contribute 30 dollars a week to continue staying at the shelter.
She had not paid this week, but Gulden says that's not an issue because they knew she was actively looking for a job and for that reason wouldn't kick her out even though she couldn't pay.