Like the national hero to whom the school was named after, JRU believes that providing a good education and forging well-rounded individuals inevitably leads to social reform. JRU also supports the Local Government Units’ aim to foster wider participation of people, including Non-Government Organizations and private institutions, to pursue local development. Consequently, JRU’s holistic approach incorporates social responsibility efforts to serve as a catalyst for greater change.

One such example is JRU’s adoption of three barangays in JRU’s hometown of Mandaluyong. Aside from making resources available to them on a regular basis, JRU extends its assistance in times of calamities, and arranges for periodic outreach visits by its students and staff.

To educate the residents of these barangays, JRU maintains basic literacy and computer literacy programs, which are continually revised through the years. In addition, JRU has donated a community library to support DepEd’s campaign to enhance the reading habits of the students. Other conducted activities were the "Libreng Pagtuturuan, Story Telling and AB!NKKBSNKO!" which all aim to improve literacy in Mathematics and Reading.

Launched in 1992, the Youth Band Project, dubbed "Musika’y Kinabukasan," provides opportunities to qualified individuals who are musically inclined to play in the university band. As part of its holistic thrust, such opportunities are accompanied by the appropriate scholarships.

Another program, the"Munting Kalakalan", which commenced in April 28, 1999, will have another leg on January 2007. This program seeks to impart knowledge on different types of business that will help residents improve their financial capacity.

JRU conducts a free "Medical and Dental Clinic" and donates free medicines to the three adopted barangays. The "Go, Glow and Grow" project that coincided with the Nutrition Month celebration performed feeding and lectures for children and parents. In support of the Philippine National Red Cross’ campaigns, JRU has also led blood drives that earned the University recognition by the PNRC.

JRU facilitated the house re-construction project for the qualified residents of the three barangays to promote the improvement of families and communities with the lowest economic conditions. And in December 2006, the annual "Pamaskong Handog ng JRU" (Gift Giving) extended its donation not only to the qualified residents of the adopted communities but also to the Correctional Institute for Women. JRU also distributed Noche Buena Packages to 41 families and shared out educational toys to the poor children in the adopted communities.

JRU believes that student and staff exposure to these activities extends their education for JRU is a steadfast proponent of quality service not only to its students but also to the broader community. For JRU’s commendable achievement in the provision of Instruction, Research and Community Extension Services, JRU was given the "Award of Distinction" a few years back. Still, JRU continues to create year-round projects because they believe that serving the people is a continuous process and forms a part of a student’s continuous development.

To know more about Jose Rizal University and its programs, log on to www.jru.edu.