What a fantastic organization! If you are looking for a worthy cause to give to, if you are looking to make an impact on the horrors of poverty and systemic tragedy, if you are wondering if you can really make a difference, School on Wheels provides answers!!! Give them a phone call or visit. Eventually, you may find yourself volunteering and providing answers to the larger problems in our world today, in a most salient, profound, and enduring method: one human interaction at a time. Long Live School on Wheels! read more

Happy to say I've continued volunteering with School on Wheels. I've made it to three years now and I am currently matched with a fourth grade girl who is amazing. In my time tutoring for School on Wheels, I've been matched with three different kids, including a high school boy at one point. I have learned much from each experience and valued the opportunity to work with kids. I hope the kids are getting something out of it too! ;) read more

SOW is a well run volunteer organization and very accessible to both the students and tutors. They have many locations throughout the Los Angeles area so you can always find a location convenient for you. I have only participated with the weekly homework club in Venice since it's more flexible with my schedule than a one-on-one tutoring. The kids are awesome and need guidance both in their academic subjects and developing social skills. The tutors are great but we need more tutors in the STEM fields. It's very apparent that the kids have been overlooked by the education system or the constant moving has impeded their learning. They need all the help they can get! An hour a week will better someone's life including yours. A shout out to Kyle, my area supervisor, who has been doing an awesome job! read more

I've been apart of this organization for about 2years now and can only say that is one of the greatest things I've have ever experienced. I can honestly say that my life has been more meaningful because I am able to share the things I learned and teach that to the children at skid row/B.G/H.W and show how fun the world can be if we just help each other out . The kids not only teach me a few things -but I have also learned how to appreciate my life in a more valuable way. Thank you staff /members Thank you regional coordinators and all the people that are apart of this great organ.... Join the team- you won't be disappointed :) read more

School on Wheels is the best organization I've ever been involved with. The feeling of community within the center is inspiring. The staff and tutors there are really making a difference for the youth of tomorrow. This year School on Wheels is celebrating it's 20th anniversary! To donate or learn more about the cause go to schoolonwheels.org. It's worth it. read more

Amazing space run by an amazing staff. They moved into this new location earlier this year, although they've been located in Skid Row for many years. They are a lovely bright spot on what used to be a vacant corner. It's great to see the kids coming and going - they always seem happy and excited. read more

An amazing organization! School on Wheels gives children the hope of a bright future through tutoring. By helping them stay on track with their studies they help to break an ugly cycle of ignorance and poverty. (I might be a volunteer tutor.) read more

School on Wheels arranges and coordinates tutoring services for homeless children in 6 SoCal counties - which is a bit like herding cats, as trying to line up families to commit to tutoring can be a challenge with those who are homeless. SOW coordinators make every effort to line up tutors with children, but that can take time. SOW also runs a stand-alone storefront tutoring center on Skid Row, and that location is always in need of tutors - particularly on weekdays. For a bit about what happens there, see https://www.pasadenaweekly.com/2019/05/09/volunteers-with-school-on-wheels-bring-the-joy-of-education-to-kids-living-in-shelters-on-skid-row/ . read more

I love School on Wheels and being a volunteer for a great organization! The entire team of employees at SOW are such amazing and dedicated people. I've visited the Learning Center multiple times to donate backpacks and bring treats for the students. The environment is healthy and welcoming for them. It's a safe haven for kids living in Skid Row. I always see eager and excited faces on these awesome kids. read more

I was amazed at the article in the L.A. Times of Thursday 26, 2020"Help for Homeless Students." As a retired teacher of over 30 years I find their task monumental. I also see hope for the children of all ages that they serve. Please continue this mission for the children are our future and we need to teach them well. read more

If you're looking for a place to volunteer - this is a great choice. They're available in a wide geographic area and various times throughout the week. There is a strong foundational training, and then once you get started you immediately see the impact of your work. It was breathtaking how quickly I saw results from working with students - learning hard skills like times tables and vocabulary, increasing their confidence and self esteem, and even being able to concentrate for longer periods of time. read more

School on Wheels provides an important and (sadly) much needed service to children across southern California: tutoring to help them succeed in school. They set up volunteers directly with students to provide concrete help and concrete results. They are an incredible organization. If you are looking for a great place to volunteer or to donate, please consider School on Wheels! read more

Volunteered my time, went through orientation, they said they would reach out soon with an assignment, then never heard back. Everyone was great to deal with and maybe they just have more tutors than they need but some sort of communication would've been nice. It's been at least 6 months. read more

I have volunteered for SOW for nearly four years and love working with the kids. Currently I work with a fifth grader.We meet one-on-one for an hour once each week, and have time to really work toward developing reading skills. It's great to witness real progress. read more

I was very excited to volunteer with this organization. The yelp reviews were stellar about the good this organization spreads. However, it seems they have enough tutors and are not in need of any more. After the initial orientation I was told it would take 3-5 days to be contacted by a coordinator. I was excited to get set up and start volunteering. It's now been 3.5 weeks since my orientation. I have had to follow up twice. The coordinator does not follow up and actually told me I needed to remind her. In my second call I was told she no longer served my area. The new person has yet to contact me. If this is the support I can look forward to then I'll seek other organizations to volunteer with. My interested has waned and I feel they do not value or need my help. read more

Please do yourself a favor, volunteer and be consistant while offering a few hours of your week, really! You will be thankful, You will be guided and harvest the beauty of tomorrow! So simple Hélène read more

I was a volunteer here for a couple of years. I will say that I believe in the organization's mission and it provides a great service to the most needed. I've experienced first hand the lives that they have touched through their work. That being said, I have had some bad experiences with staff here. While being appreciated for the volunteer hours put in is not the problem, it is a matter of being supported to do your work. As a volunteer you need certain things to do your job mostly supplies, and guidance on certain issues that may arise. I asked for these things and was downright ignored on many occasions. Upon bringing this up to upper management, again I found myself being ignored. I will say that as a volunteer you do this job not for any monetary benefit, but for the benefit of making a difference in someone's life. However, the Paid staff of a volunteer organization should do everything it can to see that their volunteers feel supported and are assisted with any need they may have. They should provide this support timely and with respect. I've dealt with people in this organization who are dedicated and believe as do I in the work they are doing wholeheartedly. The problem lies in the organizational structure. If you have a bad regional coordinator, then your basically out of luck. For anyone thinking of volunteering here. I would say it is a great place that does great work. However, don't expect much in the way of help. There are many organizations that provide this sort of assistance. read more

Volunteering here is the highlight of my week! I come on Thursday afternoons to the Skid Row Learning Center and typically tutor the kindergarteners. The staff are all very accessible, friendly, and helpful and the kids are so fun to work with. I love that this place exists and that I get to be a part of it.... it makes my life so much better. read more

Really love this organization. I've been with them less than a year but have found the experience of tutoring really gratifying and feel like I have a lot of support from the tutor coordinator. It's meaningful work and nice that we can contribute just an hour a week, so this could work even for busy people. There are so so many kids in need, I'd highly recommend School on Wheel if you're looking for a volunteer opportunity to make a consistent effort toward helping kids :) read more

Great organization helping kids who need it the most. I have been a volunteer at their Skid Row Learning Center for over a year. It's a great job. read more

Amazing organization. Supporting the community, the students, families and the tutors. Education is SO important. Love my time working with my student. read more

I joined School on Wheels in 2014 as a volunteer and, in 2015, as a team member and employee. Having been on both sides of the organization, I can say that School on Wheels delivers on its mission to provide educational support for homeless children, is constantly working on creative solutions to reach and assist more homeless children, and cares immensely about the students, families, partners, and tutors they work with. While there are many organizations in Southern California doing good for the community, School on Wheels is the only organization focused on supporting homeless children in their education. If you feel compelled, consider School on Wheels. Today, there are over 60,000 children who are homeless in Los Angeles County alone, and thousands more in Ventura County to San Bernardino County and Orange County. From the application process to getting matched with your student(s), School on Wheels makes it easy to get involved and make an impact. read more

An opportunity to make a difference and give back to the community. Volunteering with They are widely recognizable throughout the city and will work with your schedule. The staff is amazing providing 110% support. Shout out to Paula Region 1!!! read more

A great great organization. Management is not at the best level, maybe growing pains? But this does serve the kids that need it the most. I continue and will continue to support their fantastic mission. read more

I have been with SOW for over a month now. I have found it to be a very organized and caring organization. The screening process for the volunteers is very thorough, from filing out the application, following up with your referrals and recommendations, finger-printing, phone interviews and finally a great and informative orientation. They give you, as a potential tutor, lots of opportunities to see what you are getting involved in before making the year-long commitment. After you have been approved, they take care in finding a match for both the student and the tutor. The regional coordinator worked with schedules and locations and met all of us on our first day for introductions and questions. It has really been a great experience and I see myself being involved with this organization much longer than my original year commitment. If you are looking for a way to give back to a child who needs that little boost in their education due to unfortunate circumstances, then this is the place for you! read more

I've been tutoring for SOW for almost 2 years. I tutor online and at a group home. I really enjoy working with the kids. SOW provides me with the support and resources I need to be an effective tutor. It is so gratifying to see a child learn. I get back more than I give. read more

Great place to volunteer. I really feel like I'm giving back and making a difference in the lives of the children they serve. The staff is very attentive and kind. I recommend volunteering here if you are interested in giving back to the community. read more

I love that there is an organization to help more children with as much one on one support as possible. People that care enough to give of themselves to others. read more