Volunteering With School on Wheels
The Application Process
Online Orientation & Application
Watch a quick orientation video about the tutor role and then you’ll complete a short application form that includes a request for references.
Introductory Training
Next, we will invite you to register for a live online introductory training session.
Background Check
Volunteers must undergo a Live Scan fingerprint background check (at their own expense).
Student Matching
Once you are approved to tutor, your coordinator will contact you to determine your volunteer preferences and identify the ideal student to make the perfect match for you!
Expectations
As a tutor, you will be joining a team of dedicated and committed volunteers. We ask that you are able to:
- Commit to at least one year of volunteering. Our students already experience instability in their lives. Your consistency and commitment ensures they will receive needed support without further disruption.
- Tutor consistently for a minimum of one hour per week. We will schedule your tutoring based on the availability of you and your student. Often tutoring is during weekday evenings or sometimes on weekends.
- Administer an assessment to determine the academic needs of your student. You will be provided training and support.
- Complete our advanced tutor training after three months of tutoring.
- Demonstrate patience, persistence, and an innate love of learning.
There is one main thing that has kept me volunteering for almost eight years now: I love seeing the look on a student’s face when they finally understand the thing they have been struggling with.
NIMA KHARRAZI
Volunteer Tutor
Becoming a volunteer can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
We are currently seeking:
In-person volunteer tutors for our students in grades K to 8 who:
- are 18 and older,
- live in LA County, Orange County, Ventura County or Santa Barbara County,
- are willing and able to commute to and from an in-person location: a shelter or public space such as a library, coffee shop, etc.
We currently have a great need for in-person volunteer tutors!
Online volunteer tutors for students in all grades:
- are 18 and older,
- live in California,
- have stable high-speed internet access,
- have a computer with a webcam, and are comfortable tutoring in a digital environment.
In-person volunteer tutors for students at our Skid Row Learning Center in downtown Los Angeles:
- are 18 and older,
- are available between the hours of 2:00 pm and 5:00pm
- are willing and able to commute to and from the Skid Row Learning Center, 600 E 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Application Requirements
In order to complete your application, you’ll need the following information: your general availability to tutor (days of week, morning/afternoon/evening), emergency contact (name and phone) and two personal or professional references.
With this information, it will usually take less than 10 minutes to complete your application. To successfully submit it, you must complete the entire form, including the signature page.
If you have previously tutored with us, please contact applications@schoolonwheels.org before filling out a new application.
You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay updated if our requirements change to include non-Californian residents.
Other Volunteering Opportunities
If you have other specialized skills such as fundraising, translation, graphic design, public speaking, workshop facilitation, etc., we would love to hear from you as we may be able to create a custom volunteer opportunity for you.
We also love working with groups to host backpack or school supply drives!
To inquire about these opportunities, please email volunteers@schoolonwheels.org.
We reccomend signing up for our monthly newsletter to stay in touch.