Mission Statement
Since 1993, the mission of School on Wheels has never wavered: to enhance educational opportunities for children who are experiencing homelessness from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Our goal is to shrink the gaps in their learning and provide them with the highest level of education possible. Our program serves as a consistent support system for our students during a time of great stress and fear.
From Executive Director Charles Evans and Board President Joshua Fein
Thirty years ago, a vision was born rooted in the belief that education is not just a privilege but a fundamental right for every child. Since 1993, School on Wheels has provided one-on-one tutoring support to over 55,000 students in more than 400 locations throughout Southern California.
2023 was an incredible year: we facilitated 15,000 tutoring sessions, distributed 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, partnered with exceptional local organizations and nonprofits, and we raised $3 million in funding from individual donors, foundations, organizations, and corporations.
Our 1,200 volunteer tutors extended invaluable online and in-person tutoring assistance to more than 1,600 students residing in shelters, motels, group homes, vehicles, and on the streets across six Southern California counties. They are the driving force behind our program’s success.
In this report, you will learn about the students we serve, the volunteers who support them, and friends like you whose in-kind and financial gifts keep the wheels moving forward.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate sustaining our commitment to students through virtual and in-person interactions while utilizing innovative technologies to enhance the academic success of our students.
Our goal for 2024 is to provide tutoring support to 2,000 students and to empower even more of our youth to overcome educational barriers so they can achieve their full potential. Together, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve and the communities we call home.
With deep appreciation,
Charles Evans, Executive Director
Josh Fein, President of the Board of Directors
Charles Evans
Executive Director
Joshua Fein
Board President
Executive Board
Our board members are dedicated professionals, advocates, and philanthropists who support and advance our mission by being trusted stewards of our financial and business management and by raising one-half million dollars each year. Thank you for dedicating your time, treasure, and counsel to investing in the future of the unhoused children we serve.
Joshua Fein
President, Chief Financial Officer,
Property Management Associates, Inc.
Jarrod Phillips
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Ares Management
Clifford Neiman
Secretary, Principal, The Neiman Group Architects
Angela M. Sanchez
Education & Equity Consultant
Beong-Soo Kim
Senior Vice President and General Counsel,
University of Southern California
Catherine Meek
Executive Advisor, School on Wheels
Ellen Padnos
Co-Founder, Joyful Giving
Jackson George
Senior Vice President, Disney Studios
Janet A. Wertman
Development Consultant
Jonathan Reid
Program Officer, ECMC Foundation
Laurie Levit
Educational Consultant
Lizeth Flores
Grants Manager, U.S. VETS
Lynn Stone
Journalist
Steven Dahlberg
President, The Kissel Company, Inc.
Reverend Cecil L. Murray
Director Emeritus
Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray was a blaze of light illuminating South Los Angeles and beyond. His life’s purpose was economic and community development, a relentless pursuit that defined him.
Rev. Murray’s presence as a board member of School on Wheels since 2008 was nothing short of a blessing. His mere presence was a beacon guiding every decision made in support of our students and families. His compassion knew no bounds, and his unwavering belief in the power of conviction was palpable in every interaction.
As we reflect on Reverend Murray’s legacy, we are reminded that his spirit lives on in each of us. It fuels our commitment to those often overlooked and underserved, just as he would have wished. Thank you, Rev. Murray, for leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and our mission.
A Year in Numbers
1-1 tutoring is the core of our work. We train and match wonderful volunteers in our communities who devote at least an hour each week to tutoring a child experiencing homelessness. In 2023, 75% of tutoring was conducted via our online tutoring platform, and 25% was in-person at shelters, libraries and after-school programs.
Our Students
We 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. In 2023 nearly 65% of students served were living in shelters.
By Housing Type
By Race
By Grade
The children we serve are among the most vulnerable and neglected individuals in our nation. Only 64% of students experiencing homelessness graduate high school. Youth without a high school diploma are 4.5 times more likely to experience homelessness as an adult.
“My biggest goal in life now that I have graduated high school is to buy a house. I want to buy myself a house because I will feel happy that I have a place to stay. I don’t want the feeling of not having a home again.”
– Student Justin (18)
Our programs empower volunteers to ignite student success! Seamlessly integrating social and emotional learning, we fill academic gaps while fostering traits like resilience and curiosity. In our K-4 literacy program, we have seen students improve reading comprehension by up to four grades in just one year! For older students, our tutors leverage an adaptive online platform, delivering personalized content for tailored academic growth.
Core Programs and Enrichment Programs
Financials
Support from our valued donors serves as a critical investment in our mission, equipping us with the means to tackle both the hurdles and opportunities that the past year presented with unwavering resolve and determination. It’s not just the numbers in our financial statements that tell a story; it’s the trust and commitment behind each donation that truly define the impact of our collective efforts.
Through careful stewardship, your contributions have been the lifeblood of our initiatives, enabling us to expand our reach, enrich our programs, and, most importantly, make a measurable difference in the lives we aim to uplift. Your generosity has been a testament to the shared vision we hold dear—a vision of creating lasting, positive change in the communities we serve.
Your unwavering support not only fuels our current efforts but also reinforces our commitment to our mission for the years to come. Together, we are building a legacy of meaningful change, and laying the groundwork for our sustainable growth. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for believing in the power of collective action to create a better world. May your kindness return to you a hundredfold.
Catherine Meek – Executive Advisor, School on Wheels
Revenue & Support
| Foundations | $1,421,646.55 | 47.36% |
| Individuals | $629,355.00 | 20.97% |
| Corporations/Corporate Foundations | $274,297.60 | 9.14% |
| Organizations | $98,676.63 | 3.29% |
| Special Events | $241,643.00 | 8.05% |
| Donated Materials | $265,107.00 | 8.83% |
| Interest | $58,550.00 | 1.95% |
| Realized and Unrealized Gains/Losses on Investments | $6,643.00 | 0.22% |
| Other Income | $6,000.00 | 0.20% |
| Total | $3,001,918.78 | 100.00% |
Expenses
| Program Services | $2,751,219 | 92% |
| Fundraising | $91,299 | 3% |
| Support Services | $147,372 | 5% |
| Total | $2,989,890 | 100% |
Donors
Gifts of $150,000+
The Eisner Foundation Inc.
The Theodore J. Forstmann Charitable Trust Foundation
Gifts of $100,000+
The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation
Windsong Trust
Gifts of $75,000+
Dora F. Levit Fund for People
The Green Foundation
Helena Freeman
Renee Mancuso
Snap Foundation
Gifts of $50,000+
The Bagnard Family Foundation
BLT Enterprises, Inc.
The Edward A & Ai O Shay Family Foundation
The Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation
The Kissel Company, Inc.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Discover A Star Foundation
Gifts of $40,000+
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
The Sharon D. Lund Foundation
Wescom Foundation
Gifts of $25,000+
Annenberg Foundation
Bluebird Legacy, Inc.
GG’s Family Foundation
Jarrod & Catherine Phillips
Johnny Carson Foundation
Josh Fein & MaryJo Lauterio
Paul & Suzanne Kobel
PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc
Specialty Family Foundation
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Steinmetz Foundation
Wasserman Foundation
Gifts of $20,000+
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Child Support Directors Association
Chris & Melody Malachowsky Family Fund
Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc.
Darlene Oliver & Leo Smith
The Genevieve and Carlo Cabanilla Fund
Renée Longan & Norman Schiele
Sawchuk Family Foundation
Gifts of $15,000+
Catherine Meek & Al Earle
Facebook Technologies, LLC
John Gogian Family Foundation
King’s Hawaiian
Property Management Associates, Inc.
Ron D. Kline Foundation
Gifts of $10,000+
Anonymous
arc Thrift Stores
Betsy and Lew Lurie Family
Charitable Fund
Bowen H. & Janice Arthur McCoy
Charitable Foundation
Cheryl McCutchen
Children’s Creative Workshop
The Crail-Johnson Foundation
Ellen & Ben Padnos
Jackson & Jasmine George
Katie McGrath & JJ Abrams
Family Foundation
Michelle Lund
Robert Half
Scott Family Foundation
Tim Davis & Carol Critchlow
USC Good Neighbors Campaign
The Walt Disney Company Foundation
The William C. Bannerman Foundation
Gifts of $5,000+
Antonia & Dave Carpenter
Beong-Soo Kim & Bonnie Wongtrakool
Bosmeny Friends & Education Trust
Cathy Beaupain
Cheryl Furlan
Citizens Business Bank
ECMC Foundation
Edward Warren & Jo Giese
Goldman Sachs Gives
Grabundance LLC
The Harper/Harpoothian Family Fund
The Herman Foundation
Impact Club – Virtual Event Chapter
InSync Plus
Jodi Stancampiano
The Kim & Harold Louie Family Foundation
Lark Ellen Lions Charities
Live Nation
The Looker Foundation
Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation
Lynn & Robert Stone
McMaster Carr
Meghan Geiselman
Michael Rapino
Miriam Muscarolas
Modern Parking
Nathan Fielder
Noah Nordheimer
Porsche Cars North America Inc.
Richard & Shari Foos
Robert Maitino
Seattle-Sonoran Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation
Skip Paul
Stan & Joann Benson
The Neiman Group Architects
The North Road Company
Thomas Molloy & Alan Schimpff
University Church of Christ
Ventura County Credit Union
Foundation
Weingart Foundation
Gifts of $2,500+
Anonymous
Alex & Jeanine Ryan Fund
Allison Littrell & Alex Hughes
Amanda Zaumeyer
Andrea Marker
Andy Chiang
Anisha Sivakumar
Bank of America Charitable
Foundation
Century Housing
Chip and Sharyn Moore
City National Bank
Craig Murray
Donald Raab
Eileen & Harold Brown
Georges and Germaine Fusenot
Charity Foundation
Holy Family Church
James Breen & Zoe Brown
Janvi Patel
Kenneth C. Ruge
Kristen King
Laura & Karl Slovin
Lazy Acres – Bristol Farms
Lisa Brown
Makoff Family Foundation
Marcello Sawyer
Pauline Kotin
Ralph Shapira
Renee Linton
Richard Bernard & Kim Sandnes
Rockwell & Marna Schnabel
Rosemary & Gerold Shinbane
Sanford Goner
Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, Inc.
Skoll Foundation
Tahereh Barnes
Titan Management II LLC
Tracy Salisbury
University of La Verne
Wendy Romano
Zachary Rasmuson
Gifts of $2,000+
Anonymous
Activision Blizzard
Amanda & Max Roessler
Family Foundation
Andy & Terry Marx
Arianne Neumark
Brigid O’Connor
Cisco
Deborah Steiner
DoorDash.
Google Inc.
Jordan Benudiz
Joy Mashaal
Melissa Zukerman & Benjamin Goldfarb
Morgan Stanley Gift Fund
Netflix
Nathan Parkhill
Patty & Jack Wright Foundation
Sinead & Darren Chilton
Terry & Karen Harstad
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Virginia Tanawong
Western Growers Family of Companies
Gifts of $1,000+
A.C. Israel Foundation, Inc.
A1M Solutions
Ajay Patel
Alice Bamford
Amanda Carey
Amy Cozamanis
Amy Dieter
Barbara Graper
Calvin Chan
Catherine Chambers
Cathy Krikorian
Charles Frey
Chris Ruoff
Chris Wilson
Christopher Braun
Cyrus Ghahremani
Darrin Moret
David Gendron
Dustin Saiidi
Eileen & Mike McAndrews
Elaine Craig
Elissa Davidson
Esther Weese
The Fletcher Jones Foundation
Gilead
Greg Harris
Jamie & Misha Bedner
Jane Downs
Janet Ambrosi-Wertman & Adlai Wertman
Janet Steinberg
Jeffrey & Tiffany Neu
Jeffrey Bryant
Jeffrey Janger
Jenene Wilson
Jennifer Cole
Joel Salsburey
Joel Steingold
John Weiss
Jonathan Reid
Jonathan Tomlin & Elaine Lu
Joseph Daverin
Kathy Landmann
Keith Granet
Kevin Dougherty
Linn Wile
Liz Lasater
Lizeth Flores
LJ Management LLC
Loebl Family Fund
Mark Rackers
Matthew Solari & JC Calciano
Maureen Weston
Max Ho
Medtronic Foundation
Michael & Kris Gitlin
Mindy Cheng
MWS Wire Industries
Nancy Pope
Native Daughters of the Golden West
Norma Wilson
Oscar Pinto
Pasadena Buddhist Sunday School
Patrick Lacey
Patrick Wastal
Pause Studio
Pei Sue Ong
Robert Dubrow
Ronald Funches
The Rosenthal Family Foundation
Sarah Stoker
Sean Blair Arthur Sullivan
Sean Callan
Sunni Won
Tracy Choy
United Methodist Church Of Westlake Village
Virginia Blywise
Vivian Devai
Wendy Jaffe
Wendy Pearson
Yuki Larsen
Material Donations
Thank you to our material donation partners who contributed backpacks, school supplies, technology, and books.
Major Material Donors
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Allison Latham
Amy Hastings
Beverly Seger
Bhajneet Singh
Calamigos Ranch
Clune Construction
Costco Wholesale, Westlake Village
Craig Murray
Danuta Jennings
Duckhorn Vineyards
EveryBusiness HR Essentials
Frances Martinez
Glen & Monli Gerson
Holland and Knight
Ian Harris
IATSE Young Artists Committee-West Coast
Isaac Mackie
Jasmine & Jackson George
Jennifer Gabrial
Jenny Morant
Josh Fein & MaryJo Lauterio
The Kesselhaut Family Foundation
KPMG
L’Oreal Paris
Los Angeles Lakers Training Center
The Nataline Sarkisyan Foundation
Natures Produce
Nexxen
Paradise Cove Beach Café
Paramount Studios
Property Management Associates, Inc.
Related Companies
Rotary Club of Santa Monica
SAGE Publications, Inc.
Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, Inc.
Shoes That Fit
South Pasadena Lionsheart Boys Blue 2025
Temple Judea
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Discover A Star Foundation
Vantage Point
WEHERO
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Community
30 Years supporting unhoused students
We are proud to be members of:
