December 2015

In the News

On November 20, 2015, former School on Wheels student Angela Sanchez started a blog about her journey from homelessness at the age of 16 to where she is now as a UCLA graduate. Join us in following her journey, Poverty to Professional - here.

KTLA Morning News - December 1 One of our very own tutors Heather Hemmens was featured on KTLA to talk about her role in the new show "If Loving You is Wrong" which aired that night at 9pm on OWN TV. She talked about her upbringing and how she landed at School on Wheels. Click here to watch!

Instantly, one of our Einstein event and Homewalk sponsors is featured in this month's, Built in LA, as an example of how LA companies are giving back to their community through volunteerism and partnerships - Read the full story here.

Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back! On December 1, nearly one million people across the USA donated to their favorite nonprofits. School on Wheels staff, supporters and volunteers took #unselfies and shared their love for our organization.

Find more photos on our Facebook and Instagram. (See social media icons below):

HomeWalk 2015

On November 21, 2015, Team School on Wheels participated in the United Way HomeWalk. We walked together with students, parents and volunteers in support of our organization and the fight to end homelessness. More than 300 supporters registered to walk with our team. Check out more photos from the event on our Facebook!

South Bay Runway Fashion Show - Sponsored by Foster Bright Futures

Two hundred and fifty guests were treated to a fashion show fundraiser benefiting School on Wheels on Saturday, November 7. President of the Board of Director, Josh Fein, helped organize the event and spoke passionately about School on Wheels, encouraging guests to dig deep and donate, which they did. The silent auction alone raised over $50,000! The live auction, including items such as a private tour of Lucas Film's San Francisco studio, also raised a substantial amount of money.

Pictured below: Josh Fein, Catherine Meek, MaryJo Lauterio, and team Foster Bright Futures.

Board Member

Laurie Levit

Laurie's contributions to School on Wheels have influenced many students' lives in many ways. For over ten years, she has been involved in guiding the organization's goals as a member of School on Wheels' Board of Directors. Laurie's dream for our future is to see School on Wheels set up in other cities and there being fewer students who need us. Ideally, she would like to see School on Wheels go out of business!

Laurie believes that School on Wheels is so important because, "Kids who are caught up in crisis have always called to me. As a teacher by training, that pulls at my heart strings. They are 'so' not responsible for the situation they are in and living in a crisis is so damaging to the 'kidness' in them. All they really need is a safe environment/space."

With her own children growing up, Laurie began to miss interacting with children. She also hoped to find a way to share time with her son. So Laurie and her seventeen year old son Noah tutor together at the Skid Row Learning Center. Since she isn't a basketball player, Laurie says that tutoring is something they can enjoy together. Noah became a volunteer not because of school credit or college applications but because he just wanted to help other kids.

Laurie enjoys tutoring the middle school students in the Skid Row Learning Center. Currently she is developing some exercises that she hopes to share with other School on Wheels tutors. Teaching the youth valuable personal skills such as resilience, stress reduction, listening and life skills can be integrated into a one hour tutoring session. During her time at the Learning Center, Laurie encourages her students to talk about their day and do things they don't normally get to do at school.

Laurie, thank you for the many, varied ways you contribute to School on Wheels and to the children who walk into the Skid Row Learning Center.

Star Student

Anthony, 3rd grade

"This is what I've come to learn about Anthony; he's a problem-solver. I've found myself gazing at a Scrabble board in amazement right after Anthony's made a move that shows he's out to win! A positive attitude and a problem solver, Anthony reflects a winning attitude and aptitude in pursuit of knowledge."

-Tom Rodriguez, Tutor

Each of our students inspire us every day. Click here to see why!

Star Tutor

Jimmy Chan

"The act of helping students who weren't given the opportunity to live their lives with hope and passion is something that I hold close to my heart. Since volunteering with School on Wheels I hope that I have shown the students ways to find 'the light at the end of the tunnel' through knowledge and education...The best reward I get is seeing the hope and passion grow in the students as they begin to recognize the value of their future."

-Jimmy Chan

Want to read more from our dedicated volunteer tutors? Click here and be inspired by their stories!

Upcoming Opportunities

School on Wheels is now accepting applications for its Winter 2016 internship program. Applications are being accepted from November 16th, 2015 until December 13th, 2015 with the internship set to start January 11th, 2016.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Holiday Cards

Holidays are the perfect time of the year to reconnect and donate! Choose a unique student-made card and let your recipients know that a donation has been made in their honor to help a homeless student this holiday season. Contact Sinead Chilton, schilton@schoolonwheels.org, for more information and to place your order.

You are invited to our First annual Skid Row Learning Center Day of Service. Help School on Wheels prepare for the upcoming school semester by stuffing backpacks, sorting school supplies, organizing our learning center, and cataloging our lending library.

Click here for more information.

Tutor Resources

Career Month Contest

All entries for our Career Month contest are due to regional coordinators by December 15th. Prizes will be awarded to three selected winners!

See Career Month activities for more details.

Ask a Tutor Tuesdays

Are you a current tutor looking for support and/or advice? Are you a potential tutor hoping to find out what tutoring at School on Wheels is like?

School on Wheels runs a weekly advice feature every Tuesday called Ask a Tutor Tuesday!

This blog feature serves as the perfect opportunity to ask veteran tutors questions regarding their experiences and to get advice.

Online Workshop: Demystifying K-7 Math Common Core Standards

Wednesday, December 9th

12:00-1:00 PM

Confused about Common Core? Join us to learn about new teaching techniques in the classroom and tutoring tips to help you in your sessions.