“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

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.
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

Steven Dahlberg
President, The Kissel Company, Inc.

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

Jackson George
Senior Vice President, Disney Studios

Beong-Soo Kim
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, University of Southern California

Catherine Meek
Executive Advisor

Clifford Neiman
Secretary, Principal, The Neiman Group Architects

Ellen Padnos
Co-Founder, Joyful Giving

Jarrod Phillips
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Ares Management

Jonathan Reid
Program Officer, ECMC Foundation

Angela M. Sanchez
Education & Equity Consultant

Lynn Stone
Journalist

Janet A. Wertman
Development Consultant
Director Emeritus

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

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
Coordinators

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.