What we do…all year long with Covid consciousness
Build an educational oasis inside a Philadelphia homeless shelter
We designed Rubye’s Kids Library & Learning Center’s with shelter partners. Computer stations, school-grade furniture, inviting décor, and hundreds of books curated by our volunteer teachers and librarians allow students to keep up with online assignments, and enjoy a quiet place to read, receive tutoring, and more!
Ease a child’s transition to a homeless shelter
Shelters are not permitted to issue pillows to residents… We are! Annually on Martin Luther King Day Rubye’s Kids fills spacious duffle bags with new toiletries a fluffy pillow, a colorful positive affirmation pillowcase, culturally appropriate art supplies, biography of MLK, a small stuffed animal all for comfort during a challenging time.
Cozy Kids
Who doesn’t like curling up under a cozy blanket? Shelters are not able to issue blankets … or towels to kids, so we’ll do it for them. Our reusable logo bags will be filled with that new cozy blanket, PJ’s (sized for each child), a new towel, and a Covid-friendly mask.
Spring Initiative
Spring into spring with Rubye’s Kids! Each RK drawstring bag is filled with some practical and some fun items to begin the new season. Included are: an insulated water bottle, a baseball hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, a toothbrush*, an umbrella, crayons and an activity book, jump rope and bubbles. Let the fun begin!
Keep kids engaged during the summer
Prior to Covid, Rubye’s Kids provided tuition and transportation that enabled children living in Philadelphia homeless shelters to participate in constructive, fun, educational programs and camp when school is out. We met the challenge of Covid and continue to provide summer enrichment. We have equipped the shelter children with requested electronics (tablets, flash drives, webcams, headphones, etc), bikes, sprinklers, museum and zoo outreach programs, sports equipment (T-ball, Whiffleball, bowling, badminton, etc.), and much more so that summer is both safe and fun.
Get the school year off to a strong start
Each August, Rubye’s Kids fills 500 new backpacks with the essentials, all brand-new, for elementary and high school students who are living in Philadelphia homeless shelters and communities in need.
Make sure Philadelphia’s homeless children have warm winter coats
Rubye’s Kids provides new coats to at least 500 children every year, all properly sized and delivered before the first snowfall.
Bring holiday joy to hundreds of Philadelphia children
For 25 years, Rubye’s Kids’ signature event had been a Holiday Party, where 500 elementary school children in need received toys, hats, gloves, books, school supplies, craft kits, and more: awareness that they have not been forgotten. Recently, the holiday “Party in a Bag” initiative brings this spirit of love directly to shelters and community centers.