RUIBAL
The RUIBAL Challenge is a first-year-only service program that offers volunteers the opportunity to serve K-8 students in Philadelphia schools and community centers on a weekly basis. In addition to weekly service, volunteers grow in tight-knit community with the other members of their service group, take part in events that talk about social injustices present at the schools we serve, and advocate for positive change. Contact Marcy Andersen for more information and to register.
RUIBAL is a weekly program in which first-year students serve K-8 students in Philadelphia schools and community centers through tutoring, mentoring, and building mutually-beneficial friendships with the children at service. Villanova students are put in groups with fellow Villanovans who have a passion for service and justice work. Volunteers bond with the other members of their service group, take part in events that talk about social injustices present at the schools where we serve, and examine the ways in which their own lives are impacted by these injustices.
RUIBAL volunteers commit to serve for three hours one day each week throughout the semester. Opportunities are offered Monday-Friday between the hours of 1:45-6pm.
HOW RUIBAL WORKS
RUIBAL offers weekly opportunities for volunteers to travel to Philadelphia schools and community centers to serve at their after-care programs as tutors and mentors. Each group is led by two to three sophomore leaders who coordinate all the logistics of service: they drive the RUIBAL group to and from a school, serve alongside you and lead the group in reflection and conversation during the van rides. While your group is not at service, RUIBAL leaders facilitate a strong sense of community within the group, lead the group in reflection opportunities and facilitate group bonding.
Volunteers are assigned to serve at one of our five partner sites. Each site is unique in terms of how volunteers spend their time serving. At one school, we serve through one-on-one tutoring with homework or whatever subject the teacher assigns. In others, it is a mix of homework help, helping with snack/crafts/clubs and playing with the students during free time.
As a whole, our service is based on creating real, life-giving relationships with the students.
Groups serve Monday-Friday and volunteers are assigned to serve once a week. Depending on the school, RUIBAL volunteers will leave campus at either 1:45, 2:00, 2:30, or 3:00 and return within three hours of their departure time. In the registration process, you tell us your schedule and we will assign you to a site accordingly if a slot is open (keep in mind that you must have the full three hour time chunk available in order to be placed). Placements are first come, first served.
WHERE WE SERVE
CLEARANCES
Due to the PA Act 153, all volunteers working with minors are required to complete their background clearances prior to the beginning of service.
Email us for specific instructions on how to complete clearances.
HEAR FROM STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
"I feel that RUIBAL helped break me out of my shell. I feel that this past year of this service has taught me so much in such a short amount of time and I feel that there is still so much to learn from the children of the schools."-Christina O.
"RUIBAL fosters relationships and healthy conversation with fellow Villanovans which has ultimately led to meeting some of my closest friends on campus. RUIBAL has been an integral part of my time at Villanova and has helped define the way I tackle present day life — by striving to build a community which creates change." -Henri D.
"I look forward to RUIBAL all week because hearing those children scream every time you walk down the stairs means something. RUIBAL, to me, was a highlight of my freshman year.” -Ellie B.
"There is a true feeling of community within the groups we are a part of as RUIBAL is filled with amazing people who are passionate about making a difference. I'm very thankful that this program has opened my eyes to the injustices that exist within various underrepresented and underserved communities" -Jared G.
"RUIBAL redefined 'service' for me. Prior to this program, I often thought of 'service' solely as grand acts and big sacrifices. I had seldom interpreted 'service' as small acts (patiently helping a student with homework, attentively listening to another's stories, etc.) RUIBAL approaches service as an attitude not just an act." -Katherine D.
"RUIBAL provided me with leaders who truly were my mentors throughout this entire year, and I feel so lucky that I had the opportunity to connect with my amazing leaders. RUIBAL and the RUIBAL community was a huge part of my freshman year experience at Villanova." -Colleen O.