About

“It’s not about knowing everything or being a teacher—it’s about being there for someone who needs the help.”

– Jeremy A., Volunteer Tutor

Programs & Services

One-on-One Tutoring

Volunteer tutoring is the cornerstone of our program.  Our volunteers meet with their students every week to provide positive mentorship and educational assistance. Tutors meet their students online or in person.

Digital Learning Access

Our Digital Learning Initiative empowers our students to harness the power of technology and Internet/WiFi to be able to participate in online learning and develop crucial 21st-century skills. The ultimate goal of our initiative is to bridge the digital divide and provide equitable access to our students who would not have access otherwise.

Scholarships

Students can easily apply to our scholarship programs 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.

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. Learn more about running a virtual supply drive here.

Skid Row Learning Center

Located in the neighborhood with the highest concentration of homelessness in the U.S., our center offers a safe and fun learning environment where students experiencing homelessness can access support after school.

  • The center is open five days a week year-round
  • Digital learning center
  • Academic lessons
  • Summer program

Where We Serve

We partner with over 400 sites across Southern California—including libraries, shelters, and after-school programs. Volunteer tutors provide stability, consistency, and educational support.

We provide the training and mentors that make a difference!


“I couldn’t have graduated without the help of my tutor”

-Victoria, student

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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.

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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.

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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

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Our volunteers are the heart of our program.
Last year, 1,226 volunteers tutored
2,360 students experiencing homelessness.

“It helps them look beyond their current circumstances and see the possibilities the future can hold.”

-Anna, mother

Who We Are

The Executive Board

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Steven Dahlberg

President, The Kissel Company, Inc.

Josh Fein
Joshua Fein

President, Chief Financial Officer, Property Management Associates, Inc.

Lizeth Flores

Grants Manager, U.S.VETS

Laleh Dallalnejad

Business Information Security Officer, First American Financial

March 25, 2010 Los Angeles, CAJackson George PortraitPhoto: Alex J. Berliner © Berliner Studio/BEImages
Jackson George

Senior Vice President, Disney Studios

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Beong-Soo Kim

Senior Vice President and General Counsel, University of Southern California

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Catherine Meek

Executive Advisor

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Clifford Neiman

Secretary, Principal, The Neiman Group Architects

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Ellen Padnos

Co-Founder, Joyful Giving

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Jarrod Phillips

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Ares Management

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Jonathan Reid

Program Officer, ECMC Foundation

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Angela M. Sanchez

Education & Equity Consultant

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Lynn Stone

Journalist

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Janet A. Wertman

Development Consultant

Director Emeritus

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Reverend Cecil L. Murray

Director Emeritus

Staff

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Maegan Mattock

Chief Regional Officer

Richard Tran

Chief Operations Officer

Charles Evans

Executive Director

Sinéad Chilton

Chief Development & Marketing Officer

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Catherine Meek

Executive Advisor

REGIONAL TEAM

Team Leaders

Nicki Clark

Associate Manager - Regions 1, 2, 3, 4

Leigh Beaulieu

Associate Manager - Skid Row Learning Center

Riley Cobian

Director - Students & Volunteers

Sarah Fraza

Manager (Regions 5, 7, 8)

Coordinators

Tess Olszewski

Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Region 4

Ximena Verdad

Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Region 7

Courtney Abrams

Associate Student Support Coordinator, Regions 2&3

Claudia Turcios

Associate Student Support Coordinator, Regions 5/7

Monique Salazar

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 8)

Berkley Morgan

Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 5)

Ashley Martinez Madrid

Program Development Coordinator - SRLC

Lara Akl

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 9)

Tiana Shambayati

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 3)

Cindy El Jamrah

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 10)

Melissa Lopez

Admin & Student Coordinator - SRLC

Jose Garcia

Student Support Coordinator (Regions 9 and 10)

Cynthia Gonzalez

Senior Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Online)

Ellie Lopez

Associate Program Development Coordinator, SRLC

Susan Shiells

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region1)

PROGRAMS TEAM

Team Leaders

Rebecca Glaser

Associate Director - Programs

Angelique Singh

Curriculum and Assessment Specialist

Claire Herr

Middle and High School Coordinator

Cynthia Ayala

Program Development Coordinator, Literacy Program

Elizabeth Barboza

Program Development Coordinator, Training & Education

Lilly Ball

Assessment Coordinator

Aimee Mendoza

Program Development Coordinator - Grades 5-12

Cher Sullinger

Senior Program Development Coordinator, Data & Tech

COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS TEAM

Roya Yasharpour

Grants Manager

Jamie Haugen

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Danait Berhe

Manager - Corporate and Individual Giving

Briana Brown

Program Development Coordinator - HR


Non-Discrimination Policy

School on Wheels provides inclusive and equitable tutoring services to unhoused students. We believe in the importance of diversity and strive to create a safe and supportive environment for every student, volunteer tutor, and staff member.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our programs and services are available to students and volunteer tutors, and we are committed to ensuring that they receive the support they need to succeed.