Programs & Services
One-on-One Tutoring
Volunteer tutoring is the cornerstone of our program. We are the only organization whose volunteers go to their students—wherever they may be—every week to provide positive mentorship and educational assistance.
Scholarships
Students can easily apply to our scholarship program which can be used for college, trade schools, arts/music/sports programs, educational summer programs, apprenticeships or enrichment classes. You can contribute to the fund through our donation page.
Digital Learning Access
We use laptops, smartphones and tablets to better address academic needs and help teach 21st-century technology skills. Our online tutors work with students remotely over video chat and can be based anywhere in the U.S.
School Supplies
Every student we meet receives a NEW backpack filled with school supplies. Annually we provide over 5,000 students with the tools they need to succeed in school. Visit our student wishlist to find out more.
Where We Serve
We partner with over 400 sites across Southern California—including libraries, shelters, and after-school programs. Volunteer tutors travel to meet students where they are at to provide stability, consistency, and educational support.
Mission & Vision
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.
Our History
School on Wheels was founded in 1993 by Agnes Stevens, a retired schoolteacher, who understood the importance of education to students devastated by homelessness - and the unique challenges they face. We were then, and we remain, the only organization in Southern California dedicated exclusively to the educational needs of this fragile population. In 1999, Catherine Meek became one of Agnes’ first volunteer tutors on Skid Row. They became firm friends and the fearless duo grew the program, expanding its reach beyond Los Angeles.
Catherine was Chief Operating Officer before being elected Executive Director, serving from 2009-2019. She oversaw the growth of School on Wheels from a small, local nonprofit to one that works with thousands of children in six counties in Southern California. Catherine now serves as Executive Advisor working with foundations and large funders. She believes that education is a right of every child and an economic imperative for our society. Catherine was named one of 10 Women of Worth in the U.S. in 2012 and has received numerous awards and accolades for her pro bono work. She still volunteers as a tutor.
Our Values
Trust, integrity, innovation, flexibility, passion, and teamwork—these core values represent what we believe in, what we stand for, and how we approach everything we do. They determine how we treat each other, our students, volunteers, donors, partners, and the communities we serve. We measure our success by how well we live up to these values. We embrace people from all backgrounds, cultures, citizenships, experiences, and viewpoints.
Our Impact
Our staff and volunteers work hard to remove the barriers that stand between our students and their education. After ten weeks of tutoring, two thirds of our students improved their assessment scores by a grade level or more.
Our Volunteer Tutors
Our volunteers are the heart of our program.
In 2018 alone, 2,321 volunteers tutored
3,624 students experiencing homelessness.
Who We Are
The Executive Board
Joshua Fein,
President
Chief Financial Officer,
Property Management Associates, Inc.
Steven Dahlberg,
Treasurer
President,
The Kissel Company, Inc.
Clifford Neiman,
Secretary
Principal,
The Neiman Group Architects
Prof. Christine C. Goodman
Pepperdine University School of Law
Jackson George
Senior Vice President, Disney Studios
Beong-Soo Kim
Vice President and Assistant General Counsel,
Kaiser Permanente
Laurie Levit
Educational Consultant
Catherine Meek
Executive Advisor,
School on Wheels
Cecil L. Murray
Professor of Religion,
Tanzy Chair in Christian Ethics, USC
Ellen Padnos
Co-Founder,
Joyful Giving
Angela M. Sanchez
Program Analyst for College Success,
ECMC Foundation
Lynn Stone
Journalist
Janet A. Wertman
Development Consultant
Melissa Zukerman
Managing Partner,
Principal Communications Group
Staff
Charles Evans
Executive Director
Catherine Meek
Executive Advisor
Matt Raab
Chief Education &
Program Officer
Sinead Chilton
Chief Development
& Marketing Officer
Carlos Apodaca
Skid Row Learning Center Specialist
Danait Berhe
Regional
Team Leader
Erica Berrios
Applications
Coordinator
Katie Brennecke
Trainer &
Development
Ian Chan
Program
Administrator
Rachael
Christenson
Volunteer Support
Coordinator
Riley Cobian
Regional Team
Leader
Martha Dietzel
Marketing & Partnership
Specialist
Marisol Farfan
Volunteer Engagement Specialist
Lisa Frias
Student Support
Coordinator
Emma Gerch
Online Tutoring
Coordinator
Ana M. Gutiérrez
Program
Specialist
Ryan Locante
Technology
Administrator
Ellie Lopez
Skid Row Learning Center Assistant
Allison Maldonado
Resource Support Specialist
Jesse Pasquan
Volunteer Support
Coordinator
Katie Philipson
Volunteer Support Coordinator
Kristina Rakosh
Regional
Coordinator
Maria Ramirez
Office Assistant
Manmeet Sodhi
Regional
Coordinator
Eboney Stephens
Student Support
Coordinator
Rebecca Sul
Student Support
Coordinator
Stephanie Swenseid
Regional
Coordinator
Alyssa Velis
HR & Administration
Assistant
Chris Walsh
Regional
Coordinator
Carlie Whittaker
Volunteer Support
Coordinator
Jason Wright
Skid Row Learning Center Instructor