2024/2025 Impact Report

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.

A message from Executive Director Charles Evans
and Board President Joshua Fein

Charles Evans

Executive Director

Joshua Fein

Board President

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we close this fiscal year, we want to reflect on the incredible resilience, progress, and partnerships that have defined School on Wheels.

This fiscal year has been one of challenges and triumphs. Despite an ongoing youth homelessness crisis and funding hurdles, our dedicated team, volunteers, and partners have made extraordinary efforts to support the children and youth we serve. 1,646 students experiencing homelessness received tutoring, mentorship, and the vital resources they need to stay engaged and strive toward their dreams. 1,238 passionate volunteers provided 14,000 tutoring sessions to help our children succeed. And our community of individuals, corporate sponsors, and social clubs helped us distribute 10,576 brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies.

We are especially proud of our progress in addressing mental health and well-being, recognizing how critical these supports are for vulnerable children. Homelessness is often accompanied by trauma, stress, and instability, but through well-developed Social Emotional Learning programs, we are working to foster hope and recovery.

This fiscal year also marked a milestone with the exciting announcement of our new Skid Row Learning Center location. Thanks to a new partnership with the Weingart Center, we plan to relocate to a larger, more accessible space in the heart of Skid Row. This new center will be a hub for education, mental health, and community resources. It will allow us to expand our programs and reach more children—offering them a safe and welcoming environment to learn, grow, and heal.

Looking ahead, our focus remains on increasing graduation and retention rates, strengthening mental health initiatives, and advocating for sustainable funding to support unhoused youth. We are dedicated to continuing our work to fill in the educational gaps that hinder student success, ensuring every unhoused student has the resources they need to thrive. Additionally, we are committed to expanding our programs, engaging more volunteers, and leveraging the new Learning Center to make an even greater impact.

We could not have achieved any of this without your unwavering support. Your donations, advocacy, and belief in our mission continue to transform lives and create pathways to brighter futures for all our students.

From all of us at School on Wheels, thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building a future where every child—no matter their circumstances—can access the education and support they need to thrive.

With deep appreciation,

Charles Evans, Executive Director
Josh Fein, President of the Board of Directors

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. We are grateful for the time, treasure, and counsel they invest in the future of the unhoused children we serve.

Our Impact

One-on-one tutoring is the cornerstone of our program. We recruit, train, and match volunteers in Southern California who devote their time each week to tutoring a student experiencing homelessness. We offer continuous support and guidance to tutors and parents throughout the process, and all of our programs are provided free of charge.

Volunteers meet weekly with their students to provide consistent academic support. An average tutoring session lasts for one hour, and each session is logged for safety.

In 2024/2025, 65% of tutoring was conducted via our online tutoring platform, and 35% was in-person at shelters, libraries, and after-school programs.

Every student we meet receives a brand new backpack filled with school supplies. These items are generously donated by individuals, corporations, and the organizations listed as material donors below.

We work with students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students are referred to us in several different ways, usually by the shelter where they are staying, by their parents, by an agency, or by their school. We match students one-on-one with a volunteer tutor based on their academic needs and tutoring preferences.

Volunteer tutors provide stability, consistency, and educational support. Every tutor undergoes hours of training in order to be approved. All volunteers are fingerprinted and background checked before they are matched with a student.

While 83% of children have access to a laptop or computer at home, only 19% of children experiencing homelessness do.

Our Device Distribution Program provides laptops, tablets, and hotspots so students can access Wi-Fi, build digital literacy, complete schoolwork, and connect with tutors online.

We serve students experiencing homelessness across six Southern California counties, with coordinators embedded in each region to connect with students, families, volunteers, and community partners. Through partnerships with over 500 sites, including libraries, shelters, and after-school programs, we provide vital local support.

View from a long-term supporter, tutor, executive, and board member.

Catherine Meek

Executive Advisor

I have had the honor of serving School on Wheels for more than 25 years. As I look at the names of our donors, I see many who have stood with our students just as long. How fortunate we are. For decades, our funders and volunteers have been a lifeline for children experiencing homelessness—steady, reliable, and unwavering as the world around them shifts.

Today, that world is more unstable than ever. I wish I could say the outlook for children experiencing homelessness is improving. It is not. The climate around them has grown harsher, fueled by fear, division, and hostility toward the very families we serve. Shelters and schools are under attack through funding cuts and neglect. Immigration raids tear families apart. Parents are detained and deported; children are traumatized, kept home from school, and cut off from programs like ours. Fear compounds disruption. The chaos is relentless, and children—our most vulnerable—are paying the price.

In this turmoil, our role as a trusted, stabilizing presence has never been more critical. A volunteer tutor may be the only steady figure in a child’s life—the one person who shows up, week after week, no matter how many times their world is upended. That constancy is more than academic support; it is survival.

Systems may fail. Politicians may fail. But we will not. Thanks to you, our students still have hope, still have advocates, and still have a chance. That promise must endure. It has never mattered more.

With gratitude and resolve,

Catherine Meek, Executive Advisor

Our Students

Children experiencing homelessness are the most vulnerable and invisible members of our community. Family homelessness is increasing, and the need for additional support has been well documented. Since 1993, School on Wheels has remained steadfast in its mission to provide academic support for school-age children living in shelters, motels, vehicles, campgrounds, on the streets, and in group homes.

Our students are evenly represented between boys and girls.
80 % identify as children of color (of those who reported race/ethnicity).
The average age of our students is eleven years old.

Where Our Students Live

By Grade

Sirmyhah’s Story

I’ve been a part of School on Wheels since my sophomore year, and by that time, I had attended around sixteen different schools. Sixteen. That’s a lot of hellos, a lot of goodbyes, and a lot of unfinished lessons. The building blocks of my education—reading fluency, math foundations, consistent learning—were scattered. And for a long time, it felt like I was just trying to survive the education system, rather than grow within it. But School on Wheels gave me space to build. With the help of my incredible tutor, Megan Wei, I began to piece together the blocks that had been missing for so long. Whether I was struggling through AP U.S. History or trying to understand the chaos of pre-calculus, Megan was there. Patient. Present. Helping me break down a rigorous curriculum that often felt overwhelming. And beyond academics, she helped me see something even more important: that I was capable. That even as a student experiencing homelessness, I could pursue excellence. That even without wealth, stability, or access to every resource, I could still take up space in the world of higher education. And I did. I will be attending UC Berkeley this fall. But here’s the thing: it shouldn’t have taken all this. Students like me, students from foster care, students without documentation, students experiencing homelessness—deserve access to academic support without having to beat every odd to get there. Statistically, we know that students from low-income backgrounds score significantly lower on standardized tests, have lower college acceptance rates, and are less likely to graduate. But I don’t believe that’s because we’re any less capable. It’s because we’re not given the tools to thrive.

That’s why I want to change the system. I’m going to Berkeley, not just for myself, but for every student who was ever told they were behind before they had a chance to begin. I want to be part of creating free, accessible, and consistent academic resources for students like me, students who are brilliant, resilient, and full of potential, but who just need someone to sit with them and say, “You can.” School on Wheels was that for me. So thank you for creating a space where I could catch my breath, focus, and rebuild. Thank you for helping me find my footing, so I can help others find theirs. Because I won’t be the last. And I refuse to be the exception. I want to help make this the norm.
Thank you, School on Wheels, for supporting and inspiring me.

Our Programs

Our programs empower volunteers to spark lasting student success. By weaving social-emotional learning into every lesson, we close academic gaps while also nurturing resilience, curiosity, and confidence. In our K–4 Literacy Program, students have advanced as much as four grade levels in reading comprehension within a single year. For older students, our tutors use adaptive online platforms to deliver personalized instruction, ensuring each learner receives the support they need to thrive.

In only 3.5 months, students in our Literacy Program achieve what typically takes an entire school year.

In only 3.5 months, students in our Academic Program achieve what typically takes 6 months.

High school students who participated in our programs for at least six months graduated at a rate of 100%—exceeding California’s graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness (74.6%).

100% reported they felt connected to a community.

In fiscal year 2025, we awarded 119 students with scholarships ranging from $150 to $1000.

100% Graduation Rate | 83% of students went on to further education | 100% Students improved Financial Literacy Skills as a result.

We are fortunate to partner with local colleges and universities whose students tutor and lead workshops in STEM, arts, and social-emotional learning, including USC and UCLA School on Wheels Clubs, USC JEP, UCLA College Corps, IMED at UCI, and American Career College—to name just a few.

Our Volunteers

Volunteer tutors are the heart of School on Wheels—nothing would be possible without the dedication and commitment of these wonderful individuals. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds and professions. Their shared goal is to provide educational support to the students we serve.

Our volunteers are deeply committed, serving with us for an average of more
than two years. With an average age of 40, they bring both energy and life
experience to their work with students. Each student–tutor match lasts approximately four months, offering the stability and consistency children experiencing homelessness
need most. We are also proud that, among those who reported, 65% of our
volunteers identify as people of color and 67% as female—reflecting the diverse,
compassionate community that drives our mission.

Francesca’s Story

We asked one of our volunteers of the year, Francesca Macrae, about why she volunteers and what inspires her to keep going.

“Finding time to tutor amidst a demanding job and life commitments is not always easy, but giving back is a small sacrifice that I pride myself on making every week. Education is the key to avoiding future homelessness/creating a different life, and I’m so inspired just by being a part of this.

Kids experiencing homelessness have SO much going on—and school often is the least of their worries, a problem we are so fortunate not to experience. School, and therefore learning, can be a stressful/embarrassing experience if they are behind in subjects, etc. For me, the best value is not necessarily the specific lesson I teach that day, but instead trying to make learning fun and give my students confidence that they are capable. Even if things take a while/questions are hard, they can work at it and succeed. I am patient, bring energy, and find ways to relate to my student—for example, we take cartwheel breaks! Janelle loves her baby dolls, and I often ask them to answer questions, too.

A positive attitude is a choice; Janelle faces so many challenges, gets home from a long day of school, and focuses for a full hour or more at tutoring. Intellectual curiosity is a choice and a gift.”

Francesca is not only an outstanding volunteer, she is also a great advocate for School on Wheels. She recently got married and asked her guests, in lieu of gifts, to donate to us instead. Thank you, Francesca and Andrew for your dedication and commitment to the students we serve.

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Not only do volunteers tutor students, they also provide invaluable feedback and suggestions on how to make the tutoring experience the best it can possibly be for students and tutors alike. Our 2025 Volunteer Council is made up of experienced and highly skilled individuals who meet regularly to discuss ways to improve and enhance one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.

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2025 School on Wheels Volunteer Council Members

Our Friends & Partners

Over the years, School on Wheels has developed a comprehensive partnership and engagement strategy that supports the organization’s mission and long-term program growth. We have a wonderful cohort of partners—including large and small foundations, corporations, educational institutions, organizations, and faith-based groups—who raise awareness, advocate for our students, and contribute their time, resources, and financial support. Just like our volunteer tutors, these unsung heroes go above and beyond every day to make a positive impact in the lives of the children we serve. We are proud to be the recipients of their generosity and kindness.

In Memoriam – Bob Morris

For more than 21 years, Bob Morris and Paradise Cove Beach Café have hosted a holiday party for our students—a highlight of the year. Each December, children from shelters across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas are welcomed to the Cove for a magical day filled with good food, games, and, of course, gifts from Santa.

Bob, a legendary force in California’s restaurant scene and a cherished member of the Malibu community, passed away peacefully at his home on April 13. More than just a restaurateur, he was a visionary, a mentor, and a symbol of warmth and generosity who brought people together through unforgettable dining experiences and heartfelt hospitality. We miss him deeply, but his spirit of giving continues to shine through the joy he created for our students — many of whom had never seen the ocean before stepping onto Paradise Cove.

As Bob once reflected:

“When we first met Agnes and she told us what she was doing for homeless children, I thought she might be able to help a few kids, and that a few were better than none! Wow, was I wrong. It’s truly been an amazing journey. Thousands of children have been guided to a better life, supported by mentors who truly care for them, and School on Wheels has become internationally recognized.”

Our Financials

For over 30 years, School on Wheels has sustained strong financial stability that supports our students in the best possible way. Your generosity helps us provide programs and services throughout six counties in Southern California, investing in the educational lives of students experiencing homelessness.

Revenue & Support

Foundations	$1,637,253
Individuals	$781,317
Corporations/Corporate Foundations	$249,453
Special Events	$185,316
Organizations	$40,341
Material Donations	$333,480
Interest/Other Income	$94,293
Total Support & Revenues	$3,321,452
Employee Retention Tax Credit	$409,656
Total Support, Revenues, Other Income	$3,731,108

Expenses

Program Services	$3,020,048
Fundraising	$162,587
Support Services	$171,224
Total	$3,353,859

Thank you, Supporters

Gifts of $250,000+

Anonymous
The Theodore J. Forstmann Charitable Trust

Gifts of $150,000+

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Eisner Foundation, Inc.

Gifts of $100,000+

Windsong Trust

Gifts of $50,000+

Anonymous
Annenberg Foundation
The Bagnard Family Foundation
BLT Enterprises, Inc.
Dora F. Levit Fund for People
The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc.
The Edward A. and Ai O. Shay Family Foundation
Joseph Drown Foundation
The Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation
The Kissel Company, Inc.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Discover A Star Foundation

Gifts of $40,000+

Bluebird Legacy, Inc
Catherine & Jarrod Phillips
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
The Sharon D. Lund Foundation

Gifts of $25,000+

George Hoag Family Foundation
GG Family Foundation
GlobalGiving Foundation, Inc.
Johnny Carson Foundation

Josh Fein & Mary Jo Lauterio
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
The Rose Hills Foundation
Steinmetz Foundation

Gifts of $20,000+

Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Chris & Melody Malachowsky Family Fund
David & RL Peters
Delphi Foundation
SAGE Publications, Inc.
Suzanne & Paul Kobel
Wassim Slaiby & Rima Fakih Slaiby
The William C. Bannerman Foundation

Gifts of $15,000+

The Albertsons Companies Foundation
Leon Lowenstein Foundation
Norman Schiele & Renee Longan
Property Management Associates, Inc.
Pure Storage, Inc.
USC Good Neighbors Campaign
The Walt Disney Company Foundation
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Ron Funches)

Gifts of $10,000+

Bowen H. & Janice Arthur McCoy
Charitable Foundation
Catherine Meek & Al Earle
Cheryl McCutchen
The Crail-Johnson Foundation
Ellen & Ben Padnos
The Huff Family Foundation
James Moseley

Jasmine & Jackson George
Joe McDevitt
The Looker Foundation
Lynn Gardner & Paul Multari
The McDevitt Family Charitable Fund
Public Storage, Inc.
The Rams Foundation
Richard Rizika

The Ron D. Kline Foundation
Sawchuk Family Foundation
Seattle-Sonoran Foundation
Target Circle
Tim Davis & Carol Critchlow

Gifts of $5,000+

Beong-Soo Kim & Bonnie Wongtrakool
Bosmeny Friends & Education Trust
Brendan O’Donnell
Chip & Sharyn Moore
Citizens Business Bank
Clifford Neiman & Andrea
  Halloran Neiman
Cultivating Success Fund
Frederick R. Weisman
  Philanthropic Foundation
Gary & Lois Ingham
The Helena Maria Freeman
  Revocable Trust
The Herman Foundation
InSync Plus
James & Cheryl Furlan
Jamie McCarthy & Misha Bedner

Jennifer Lamb & Chris Sharp
Jennifer Penjoyan
Jovana Lara
The Kim & Harold Louie Family
Foundation
Kristen Finn
Linda Manasee
Lois & Gary Ingham
Lori Greenberg & Richard Smith
McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Modern Parking, Inc.
THE NAISNY PTA, Inc.
The Neiman Group Architects

Noah Nordheimer
Richard Bernard & Kim Sandnes
Rockwell & Marna Schnabel
Sandesha & Kapil Singh
Scott Family Foundation, Inc.
The Sherwood Foundation
Somos Inc.
Tyler & Sophie Bosmeny
University Church of Christ
Zach Rasmuson

Gifts of $2,500+

Anonymous
Andrea Marker
Drew Meister
Georges & Germaine Fusenot
Charity Foundation
Google Inc.
Joann & Stan Benson
John Weiss

Joy Mashaal
Karl & Laura Slovin
Kathy Riordan
The KR Foundation
Lark Ellen Lions Charities
Lazy Acres – Bristol Farms
Lynn & Robert Stone
Meghan Geiselman
Nancy & Bruce Newberg

Pancake Charitable Fund
Pauline Kotin
Sandy & Claire Goner
Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, Inc.
Sinead & Darren Chilton
Teresa Merrick
Vivian Devai
Wendy Pearson
Wendy Romano
Whitney Sargent

Gifts of $2,000+

A.C. Israel Foundation, Inc.
Arianne Neumark
Astrid Linnea Wile
Brian McCullom
Brigid O’Connor
Caryll & Steve Greene Family Fund
Chapman, Biggs, Linthorst Fund

Charities Aid Foundation America
Charles & Deirdre Mahlan
Craig & Lisa Murray
The Harper / Harpoothian Family Fund
Holy Family Church
IBM

Jordan Benudiz
Max Ho
Momita SenGupta
Nathan Parkhill
Percent Impact Foundation
Pete Przybylinski
Wendy Furman-Adams

Gifts of $1,000+

The Adam Frand Foundation
Alan A. Howits
Alex Goodman
Allison Latham
Amy Cozamanis
Amy Dieter
Andre Nadeau
Antonia & Dave Carpenter
Arun Rangarajan
Blue Shield of California Promise
Health Plan
Brett Butler & Jessica Baker Butler
Calvin Chan
Catherine Chambers
Century Community Fund, LLC
Charles Frey
Chris Chambers Goodman &
Marc Goodman
Chris Wilson
Christopher Braun
Christopher Frohling
Darrin Moret
Derek Billings & Christopher Carter
Diana Wu
Dustin Saiidi
Eileen & Mike McAndrews
Elaine Craig & Paul Fey
The Flechner Family Charitable Fund
Fredy Garcia

Gregory Harris
Jeannette Perez
Jennifer Canaga
Jennifer Hawkins
Jill Sikes
Johnson Fain
Joseph Daverin
Kimberly Karambelas
Kristen King
Kristine Belson
The Kuruma Family
Laurence Bloustein
LJ Management LLC
Loebl Family Fund
Marcia Scanlon
Mary Auth
Matthew Solari & JC Calciano
May-Ann & Jamie Fisher
Michael Podany
Mindy Cheng
Moira & Dency Nelson
Molly & Eric Richardson
Nancy Dahlberg
Nathaniel Hyman
Peter Banachowski
Plenary Americas

Renee Linton
Rob Burns
Robert Dubrow
Rochelle Patel
Ron Funches
The Rosenthal Family Foundation
Sean Blair Arthur Sullivan
Sean Callan
Sheda Morshed
Sunni Won
Terry & Karen Harstad
Todd & Ami Wuschnig
Tracy Choy
Tyler Vernon
Uma Arun Family Fund
Unitarian Universalist Church
of Ventura
United Methodist Church Of
Westlake Village
Valerie Cavanaugh & Bill Kerstetter
Venice Marina LAX Lions Club
Walter & Judith Bakly
Wells Fargo Bank
West Hollywood Edition
William Blaney
Winnie & John Strohmeyer
Yuki Larsen

All Donors

Material Donations

Thank you to our material donation partners, who contributed brand-new backpacks, school supplies, technology, and books.

“It’s a lot of help for the kids and me as well because it’s really expensive for three kids. And it helps them feel better about going to school when they have all these supplies.” – Pablo H., Parent

Major Material Donors

Air Oasis
Allison Latham
Alyssa Stalker
Bazic Products
Blue Shield of California
Employee Volunteering & Giving Department
Bunim Murray Productions
Calvary Christian School
Capsida Biotherapeutics
Channel Islands Cal State University –
Zeta Pi Omega
Clune Construction
Cuckoo Electronics America
First Student, Inc.

Frances Martinez
The Kesselhaut Family Foundation
King’s Hawaiian
L’Oreal Paris
Major League Baseball
Mathis Home
MNTN
Natures Produce
Nexxen
Paradise Cove Beach Café
Polytechnic School
Redondo Ballet
Rotary Club of Santa Monica
RSM US LLP

Sinai Temple
Soles4Souls
Southern California Edison
Telescope Studio
UCLA College Corps
Universal Studios Hollywood
Valley Beth Shalom Day School
Ventura County Credit Union
Viewpoint School
The Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Foundation
Yalla Ventures Inc. DBA PuroAir
ZS Associates