“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 six 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.
In 2020 alone, 1,602 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
Jackson George
Senior Vice President, Disney Studios
Beong-Soo Kim
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, University of Southern California
Laurie Levit
Educational Consultant
Catherine Meek
Executive Advisor
Clifford Neiman
Secretary, Principal, The Neiman Group Architects
Ellen Padnos
Co-Founder, Joyful Giving
Jarrod Phillips
Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer, Ares Management
Jonathan Reid
Senior Program Officer, Grants & Programs LA84 Foundation
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
Director Emeritus
Reverend Cecil L. Murray
Director Emeritus
Staff
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Charles Evans
Executive Director
Sinéad Chilton
Chief Development & Marketing Officer
Catherine Meek
Executive Advisor
Mike Potentier
Chief Administrative Officer
Matt Raab
Chief Education & Program Officer
PROGRAMS TEAM
Team Leaders
Riley Cobian
Associate Director - Students & Volunteers
Stefanie Iacobucci
Manager (Regions 5, 7, and 11)
Manmeet Sodhi
Manager (Regions 1, 2, 3, and 6)
Aeriell Woodhams
Associate Manager (Regions 4, 8, 9, and 10)
Coordinators
Lara Akl
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 9)
Elizabeth Barboza
Associate Student Support Coordinator (Regions 1 & 6)
Leigh Beaulieu
Program Development Coordinator - SRLC
Candice Carrasco
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 1)
Ashley Cazarez
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 4)
Sandra Cervantes
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 10)
Eden Ettenger
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 3)
Sarah Fraza
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 8)
Jose Garcia
Associate Student Support Coordinator (Regions 9 and 10)
Cynthia Gonzalez
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Online)
Ivan Gutierrez
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 5)
Cassandra Parker
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 2)
Quinn Mankowski
Associate Program Development Coordinator - SRLC
Alysa McDaniel
Assessment Coordinator
Yesenia Ontiveros
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region 7)
Cheyenne Parker
Student Support Coordinator (Regions 2 and 3)
Joseline Schaefer-Valencia
Parent Engagement Coordinator
Susan Shiells
Associate Volunteer Engagement Coordinator (Region1)
Cher Sullinger
Program Development Coordinator - Data & Technology
Isela Yanes
Associate Student Support Coordinator (Regions 5 and 7)
Curriculum & Training
Ian Chan
Associate Director - Programs
Edmund Flores
Program Development Coordinator - Training and Development
Rebecca Glaser
Senior Program Development Specialist - Literacy
Allison Maldonado
Senior Program Development Specialist
Aimee Mendoza
Program Development Coordinator - Grades 5-12
COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS TEAM
Danait Berhe
Manager - Corporate Partnerships and Volunteer Engagement
Briana Brown
Associate Program Development Coordinator - HR
Guadalupe Godinez-Perez
Administrative Clerk - SRLC
Ellie Lopez
Assistant - SRLC
Lynn “Jeong” Stransky
Marketing & Communications Specialist
