Congratulations to the 2023
SOARING SCHOLARS RECIPIENTS
AUGUST 10, 2023 - School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) today announced the recipients of the 2023 Soaring Scholars scholarships, awarded to high school and post-secondary students enrolled in organization’s Bridge Mentoring Program.
The Bridge Mentoring Program provides educational support and resources to Massachusetts high school and college-aged students facing homelessness - and matches those students with a reliable mentor.
Six SOWMA students received $21,000 in scholarships to further their education. In the first two years of the scholarship program, more than $38,000 in scholarships have been given out by SOWMA.
Bill and Annmarie Harlor of Norton initiated the scholarship program in 2022 after being introduced to SOWMA two years earlier by its Founder, Cheryl Opper. The Harlors volunteered with SOWMA as mentors and after seeing the success of students, pledged $50,000 over four years to initiate scholarship funding. The Harlors ask family and friends to help support the scholarship.
“These students are growing up in really tough circumstances,” said Annmarie Harlor. “They just need the guidance and support that the Bridge Mentoring Program provides,” she said.
“The best part of this is actually meeting the students and learning the tough hand they were dealt. They are driven, resilient, highly motivated and grateful for the support,” said Bill Harlor. “It really is inspiring to talk with them and learn their story,” he said.
Director of the mentoring program Katie Young added, “The opportunity these scholarships present to our students is life changing. Some of the recipients would not have been able to continue with their current educational journey without these funds. These students are incredibly grateful!”
Local businesses supporting this scholarship program include Gerry Abbott Realtors and Mogul Realty of Mansfield, IGolf Easton and SHP Financial of Plymouth.
Congratulations to our
2023 Bridge Mentoring Graduates
We are so proud of these remarkable men & women,
whose determination and perseverance
- and renewed belief in their personal potential -
reflect the very heart of our mission.
Many thanks to the volunteer mentors who walk alongside
these students as they embrace the future with confidence, vision
and a contagious smile.
Oh The Places You'll Go When You Believe in Your Dreams.
Congratulations!
Cheryl is pictured with her mentor, retired teacher Agnes Steven,
who founded School on Wheels of Southern California in 1993
after observing hundreds of children on the streets
in Los Angeles and learning their families were living out of cars on Skid Row.
By Ruthann S Baler
“Take it From Them” profiles community leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, and artists who have inspired change, brought communities together, and made valuable contributions to their professions.
School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) is a private, nonprofit 501 (C) (3) organization that supports the academic, social, and emotional growth of students in grades K-12 who are impacted by homelessness. SOWMA was founded in 2004 by teacher and child advocate Cheryl Opper after she read a magazine article featuring Agnes Stevens, a retired teacher in Southern California who saw hundreds of children on the streets in Los Angeles during school hours. After learning their families were living out of cars on Skid Row, Agnes and a group of friends gathered books and school supplies and helped the parents enroll their children in school. The group provided school uniforms, filled backpacks, and tutoring, which led to the founding of School on Wheels.
Inspired by this activism, Cheryl set out to bring School on Wheels to Massachusetts. Within several months, she started SOWMA from the kitchen of her Easton, Mass. home. Family and friends helped fill backpacks with donated school supplies for 20 children living at two family shelters in neighboring towns.
Today, SOWMA distributes approximately 7,000 backpacks each school year to homeless students living in 38 Massachusetts communities. Along with donated backpacks, hundreds of trained volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring to approximately 300 students at 18 program locations from Boston to Massachusetts’ east coast. SOWMA’s Bridge Mentoring Program provides nearly 100 high school and college-age students with financial support and mentors who guide students throughout their high school careers and into their post-secondary plans, including college, vocational training, and job placements. SOWMA’s core program areas include backpacks/school supplies, tutoring/mentoring and post-secondary educational assistance. 
Cheryl Opper, founder of SOWMA, is pictured with former student Zach as they celebrate his graduation from
Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Mass. Zach received a scholarship from BSU, studied abroad for one year,
was inducted into the National Math Honor Society, and received his Chartered Financial Analyst license
while earning his MBA from the University of Houston.
CLICK TO READ MORE
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Five Bridge Mentoring Students began the 2022/2023 academic year
with additional financial support,
thanks to SOWMA donors Bill and Annmarie Harlor.
Last spring the Harlors initiated a supplemental "Soaring Scholars" program after volunteering as mentors
to a student facing incredible hardship during high school.
Seeing firsthand how their own mentorship experience changed the life and hope of this student,
the Harlors pledged $50,000 for the next five years with the hope of encouraging more students to
pursue their dreams of a brighter future.
If you would like to help usher a student through high school,
college or vocational training, or to learn more about our
mentoring services, click to see our Bridge Mentoring page or contact
Katie Young, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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If you would like to help usher a student through high school,
college or vocational training, or to learn more about our
mentoring services and Soaring Students Scholarship,
click to see our Bridge Mentoring page or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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We say "Congratulations!"
Hear what our 2022 student graduates have to say!
If you would like to help usher a student through high school,
college or vocational training, or to learn more about our
mentoring services and Soaring Students Scholarship,
click to see our Bridge Mentoring page
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