Who we are
Because Justice Matters is a Christ-centered community in San Francisco, walking alongside women, girls, and families in vulnerable, often overlooked neighborhoods.
For nearly 20 years, we’ve shown up with creativity, compassion, and consistent presence—offering safe spaces, deep relationships, and life-changing opportunities.
Our mission is building pathways to brighter futures for women and girls in urban communities. We believe justice begins with curiosity, grows through presence and relationship, and leads to restoration—spiritually, emotionally, and communally.
Our Story
Because Justice Matters began with a simple dream: to respond to the injustice facing women in San Francisco—through the love of Jesus, the power of presence, and the pursuit of justice.
Founded in 2008 by Ruthie Kim, BJM started with a sidewalk Nail Day outreach—an act of dignity and connection for women in the Tenderloin. From the beginning, BJM has been led by women, shaped by community voices, and rooted in proximity: showing up, building trust, and responding with love.
What began with a few volunteers and a folding table has grown into a vibrant ministry walking alongside girls, women, and families through mentorship, creative expression, leadership development, outreach, and now, the planting of a neighborhood church.
We believe the Gospel calls us to both spiritual formation and social restoration. Justice isn’t abstract—it’s relational. And it always begins with presence and prayer.
What we believe
Our work is rooted in four core values:
Christ-Centered
Jesus is at the heart of everything we do. His life, love, and justice shape our purpose, our presence, and our posture toward the city.
Community
We’re not just in the neighborhood—we’re part of it. We listen and respond to the needs of our neighbors, build on existing strengths, and come alongside where support is needed most.
Creativity
From dance to design to shared meals, we believe creativity opens space for joy, healing, and connection. It reflects the image of a God who is always creating something new.
Restoration
We long to see lives and communities restored to the fullness God intends. We pursue relational, emotional, spiritual, and systemic restoration—because that is how we actively practice justice.
Why It Matters
We believe justice starts with presence—and presence starts with curiosity and understanding.
In San Francisco and across California, women, girls, and families continue to face real barriers to safety, dignity, and opportunity. The numbers are staggering—but behind every number is a name, a story, and a future worth fighting for.
Violence Against Women
Nearly 1 in 3 women in California experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime—and 1 in 30 experience physical or sexual violence each year.
Law enforcement across the state fields about 160,000 domestic violence calls yearly– that's 18 every hour.
50–80% of homeless women in the U.S. report fleeing abuse.
San Francisco alone reported 9,200+ incidents of domestic violence last year.
System-Impacted Youth
1 in 4 foster youth become homeless within four years of aging out.
Only 64% of foster youth in California graduate from high school.
63% of sex trafficking victims have been involved with the child welfare system.
Just 16% of detained youth graduate high school—dropping to 8% for longer detentions.
Incarcerated youth are 2–4x more likely to die of suicide and 23% more likely to be incarcerated again as adults.
45% of children of immigrants in the U.S. live in low-income households, often facing language barriers, housing insecurity, and discrimination.
At BJM, we see these young people not through a lens of deficit–but of calling. Their vision and leadership are essential to the future of our city.
Exploitation & the Sex Industry
San Francisco remains a top city for human trafficking. The adult entertainment industry reveals deeper systemic vulnerabilities:
91% of identifying survivors were victims of sex trafficking.
94% were women, and 88% were under 25.
Over 70% of women in the adult entertainment industry have been impacted by the foster care system.
At BJM, we respond with presence and prevention:
EdenMade offers prayer, care, and relationship to women in the industry.
SHINE Mentorship supports girls ages 9-15 – offering stability and healing before exploitation can begin.
Immigration
Immigrant families face overlapping challenges–yet they are also full of strength, hope, and resilience. We walk alongside mothers, youth, and children facing:
Language barriers
Housing Insecurity
Discrimination
Economic instability
This Is Why We Exist
These challenges are real.
But so is our hope.
We believe God is restoring what’s been broken—through relationship, creativity, and consistent love.
That’s why Because Justice Matters exists.
That’s why justice matters.
