School on Wheels volunteers provide free tutoring and mentoring to children from kindergarten through twelfth grade living in shelters, motels, vehicles, group foster homes, and the streets of Southern California.
1 in every 20 children
in California does not have a home
Homelessness has a devastating impact on children’s educational opportunities:
- Nine times more likely to repeat a grade
- Four times more likely to drop out of school entirely
Over the past 30 years, we have served more than 50,000 students!
Every one of these kids has a story, a past, and a future.
All have one thing in common—a volunteer tutor whose precious time and caring helped them learn and encouraged them to dream.
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We train and match volunteers with our students and provide:
- One-on-one weekly tutoring
- School supplies
- Assistance in entering school
- Scholarships
- Parental support
- A learning center on Skid Row
You Can Make a Difference
We spend 92 cents of every dollar directly on student programming. Your donation helps us continue providing students with up-to-date, high-quality educational support.
We match tutors with students based on schedule, location, and expertise. Tutors receive training on trauma-informed approaches to education and ongoing academic planning support.
Start your own supply drive, either in-person or online. Getting started is easy and only takes a few minutes! Student wish lists and downloadable posters can be found here.
Volunteer tutors are our wheels—reaching students in six counties in Southern California and covering a span of 2,500 square miles.
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Support Us
We survive through donations of people like you, who believe that every child has potential.
“Making a connection with my tutor was the best thing that ever happened to me while being homeless, and since then, I have maintained a constant relationship with them.”
Angela Sanchez
School on Wheels Board Member and former student
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Volunteer opportunities
- One-on-one tutoring
- Peer tutoring
- Online tutoring
- Group tutoring