Rebuilding Philadelphia: heritage and legacy
Jennifer Shropshire, WG'96
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: News
This urban legend is true. Nearly twenty years ago, Robert Bellinger WG '89 and a few classmates started a student club in response to a professorial challenge that "Wharton students didn't care enough about people in the community to do something about the conditions." Within the school year, a core group planned, funded, and executed a project to help ten low-income homeowners in West Philadelphia by making essential repairs to their homes. Over the years, the Rebuilding Together Club's contribution to the City of Philadelphia has been significant. Primarily through the operational leadership of Wharton graduate students, since 1988 more than 400 homeowners in West Philadelphia have been helped by more than 10,000 Wharton/Penn students.
Today, the Rebuilding Together Club within the WGA remains one of the premier service programs on campus; extending beyond Wharton to the other professional schools and Penn's undergrad population. The Club even spawned Rebuilding Together Philadelphia (RTP) - a distinct nonprofit now with more than 1,000 students and professional volunteers working in North Philadelphia and Montgomery County as well as West Philadelphia. Over the past 18 years, 21,350 RTP volunteers have donated 252,500 hours to make essential repairs for 708 homeowners and 22 agencies, providing services worth an estimated $17,700,000. As one of the 250 national affiliates of Rebuilding Together, Inc., RTP is part of a nation-wide community revitalization movement. Wharton's legacy embraces this network of RT affiliates as many affiliates are populated by Wharton grads who sought to replicate their RTP experiences when they moved to a new area to start their post-Wharton career.
During my time at Wharton, volunteering was an important outlet for my talent and energies, giving me balance to the academics as well as a strong and diverse social network. Now, as President of the RTP Board, I hear testimony from Wharton alums about their own transformational experiences and the power that the program has had on their lives. Rebuilding Together maximizes the Wharton experience. It is project management at its finest and it is leadership in action. It's an opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of real people in desperate situations just a few blocks from campus. Throughout the United States (if not the world) Rebuilding Together is a door opener as all those in the "RT club" are kindred spirits with a shared heritage.
As an alum, I want to encourage you to revisit the challenge that Robert Bellinger and his classmates took back in 1989 and demonstrate that Wharton students do care about the community. Look for more information from your Cohort House Managers as well as announcements in the Wharton Journal about the upcoming work weekends that begin right after spring break. Taking a few hours to lend a helping hand will have a huge impact on the life of a family in need.
About Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
Being a sustainable, volunteer-driven organization requires resources - human and financial. This year, approximately $225,000 is needed in order to support 1,000 volunteers in rehabilitating approximately 50 homes and three community organizations. RTP is a high-impact, cost effective option for both volunteerism and philanthropy. Every dollar contributed for materials and expenses is transformed into $5 worth of services for homeowners who are helped at no charge. Please visit www.rebuildingphilly.org for more information.
Today, the Rebuilding Together Club within the WGA remains one of the premier service programs on campus; extending beyond Wharton to the other professional schools and Penn's undergrad population. The Club even spawned Rebuilding Together Philadelphia (RTP) - a distinct nonprofit now with more than 1,000 students and professional volunteers working in North Philadelphia and Montgomery County as well as West Philadelphia. Over the past 18 years, 21,350 RTP volunteers have donated 252,500 hours to make essential repairs for 708 homeowners and 22 agencies, providing services worth an estimated $17,700,000. As one of the 250 national affiliates of Rebuilding Together, Inc., RTP is part of a nation-wide community revitalization movement. Wharton's legacy embraces this network of RT affiliates as many affiliates are populated by Wharton grads who sought to replicate their RTP experiences when they moved to a new area to start their post-Wharton career.
During my time at Wharton, volunteering was an important outlet for my talent and energies, giving me balance to the academics as well as a strong and diverse social network. Now, as President of the RTP Board, I hear testimony from Wharton alums about their own transformational experiences and the power that the program has had on their lives. Rebuilding Together maximizes the Wharton experience. It is project management at its finest and it is leadership in action. It's an opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of real people in desperate situations just a few blocks from campus. Throughout the United States (if not the world) Rebuilding Together is a door opener as all those in the "RT club" are kindred spirits with a shared heritage.
As an alum, I want to encourage you to revisit the challenge that Robert Bellinger and his classmates took back in 1989 and demonstrate that Wharton students do care about the community. Look for more information from your Cohort House Managers as well as announcements in the Wharton Journal about the upcoming work weekends that begin right after spring break. Taking a few hours to lend a helping hand will have a huge impact on the life of a family in need.
About Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
Being a sustainable, volunteer-driven organization requires resources - human and financial. This year, approximately $225,000 is needed in order to support 1,000 volunteers in rehabilitating approximately 50 homes and three community organizations. RTP is a high-impact, cost effective option for both volunteerism and philanthropy. Every dollar contributed for materials and expenses is transformed into $5 worth of services for homeowners who are helped at no charge. Please visit www.rebuildingphilly.org for more information.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Dennis R. Diehl
posted 4/26/07 @ 4:49 PM EST
Hardly the first to comment (2 mo. late!) but, having served briefly as one of original board members (as Wharton Alumni Director, 1989-94),I'm proud to note the enormous longevity and productivity of the organization. (Continued…)
pHiLadELphIA mOvERs
posted 1/07/09 @ 6:03 PM EST
This urban legend is true. Nearly twenty years ago, Robert Bellinger WG '89 and a few classmates started a student club in response to a professorial challenge that "Wharton students didn't care enough about people in the community to do something about the conditions. (Continued…)
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