By Jessica Zhang, Student at Noble and Greenough School
“I was incredibly lucky to be working with such inspiring kids!”
Walking up the steps of the family shelter for my first day of tutoring, I was filled with apprehension. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and around my head: What if the kids don’t like me? What if I’m a terrible tutor? I don’t have younger siblings, nor do I babysit. The idea of a roomful of children seemed daunting. Despite my self-doubt, I opened the door.
June, 2020
Dear Friend of SOWMA,
There are many ways to help our most vulnerable students stay engaged with learning during these difficult times. With school closures and physical distancing in effect, our students face unique challenges as they simultaneously face the disruption and uncertainty of homelessness. We expect an increased demand for our services as more children and youth will need academic, social and emotional support in the months and year ahead. Below are ways you can support our mission. Whether through a financial donation, volunteer time or a supply drive, you can make a significant impact for a child in need. Thank you for exploring ways to support our kids.
To visit our office this summer and help prepare and customize backpacks, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
With warm regards,
Kathleen Graham
Executive Director
March 31, 2020
Dear Friend of SOWMA,
As part of our responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID-19, School on Wheels continues to adhere to strict safety measures to keep our students, volunteers and staff safe while ensuring students stay engaged and connected.
We are working with family shelter partners and state and local agencies to ensure our efforts to provide educational support and materials align with health and social distancing precautions.
Below are program updates and ways you can help students continue to receive the guidance and tools they need throughout the coming weeks and months. We will keep you informed as needs develop and events unfold. In the interim, like all non-profit organizations, we are facing the need to maintain sustainability in order to continue serving our state's most vulnerable children and youth. Any gift, no matter how small, will help immeasurably as we strive to meet emergency funding needed.
Although our physical office is closed, we are working remotely and can be reached via the staff listing here.
Messages are also being retrieved at 508.587.9091.
Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times. We are grateful for those who have already pledged financial support for our ongoing efforts to provide academic, social and emotional support for students while keeping them safe and connected with learning. We invite you to continue to support our programs and will keep you apprised as our plans and activities unfold.
With warm regards,
Kathleen Graham
Executive Director
There are many ways to stay involved! CLICK HERE
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Imani - College Student
“It's learning from someone who wants you to grow.”
Imani is all smiles as we celebrate National Mentoring Month! She shared her progress report before heading back to college for spring semester. Once a high school student facing homelessness, today she's beaming as a college junior and one of 56 college students in our Bridge Mentoring Program.
Jim Whalen - SOWMA Mentor
“People who help get far more out of it.”
Recently retired after 45 years as an information technology specialist, Jim learned of School on Wheels through his church, Saints Martha and Mary Parish of Lakeville, MA. He’s now guiding two young adults impacted by homelessness through a GED program. He’s also setting a noble example for his own grown children. “There’s a lot of hurt in the world and you don’t have to go far to help,” he said. Here's to one of our many unsung heroes and a salute to National Mentoring Month!
“Share your sparkle wherever you are.” – Dodinsky
It was a busy year in SOWMA’s Community Room, where we receive, inventory and customize backpacks and school supplies. This “Tools for School” program is part of our three-tiered Pathways to Success, which includes tutoring and mentoring in addition to school supplies. This year alone we outfitted more than 4,500 students with customized grade-level backpacks, a number that constitutes nearly 20% of the student homeless population in our state.
None of this could happen without our volunteers. Some, like those featured above, are graduating from high school or college, and will continue making a difference and sharing their sparkle as they pursue their next big thing!
JONATHAN VINCENT FEELS THE EFFECTS OF THE LAST DAY OF TUTORING
Backpacks were replaced by SOWMA's Summer Reading Bags this week as more than 280 students bid adieu to homework in exchange for summer break -
and the scene was bittersweet.
Our eighteen tutoring sites were ripe with fresh fruit, pizza and ice cream to mark the end of another wonderful year of academic achievement.
Thank you to our volunteer tutors, program partners and sponsors like Wells Fargo, all of whom are paving the way for a brighter future for kids.
"Here in Massachusetts, we want to help support the needs of our neighbors and ensure youth in need have access to tutoring, mentoring and
educational opportunities," said Briana Curran, VP, Community Relations and Communications for Wells Fargo.
