Michael Christian, the CEO for Risk Strategies, dropped off 50 Thanksgiving baskets at Father Bills and MainSpring in Brockton this week to support the families we serve living in family shelters. The contents of the holiday baskets were assembled by over 60 employees at their Boston headquarters.  The items in the baskets including $25 gift cards were donated by RSC employees with support from the RSC Charitable Foundation. Thank you Risk Strategies for helping families impacted by homelessness feel supported and cared about this holiday season. Your company's support makes a true difference in their lives!

On Monday, November 9th, six Bridgewater State University students, members of the Bridgewater Scholars Program, had dinner with BSU President Fred Clark to discuss their current progress and future plans. One student, Zachary Wright, who is studying abroad in South Korea, Skyped in to be a part of the conversation. These six SOWMA students, shared their struggles with homelessness and how BSU is helping them move beyond their circumstances through a higher education. The Bridgewater Scholars program provides two full scholarships per year for students who have experienced homelessness, yet achieved academic success.

The NECN team, students and tutors, staff, Oliver Ames High School and Stonehill College volunteers gather
for a group shot to wrap up filming of NECN’s Making the Grade segment at SOWMA’s former headquarters.

On Monday, October 19, NECN visited School on Wheels to film a Making the Grade segment featuring SOWMA tutor/student team Beth Young and Ana Lobo. Beth has tutored and mentored Ana for nearly eight years, since Ana enrolled in Brockton High School. Ana has since earned her associate’s degree from Massasoit Community College and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Bridgewater State University. Ana’s nine-year-old daughter, Brianna is also a School on Wheels student, tutored by longtime SOWMA volunteer, Donald Slovin.

NECN’s Making the Grade provides a look at education-related news across New England. Morning News Anchor Brian Shactman talked with Beth and Ana to explore the impact of SOWMA’s services on the educational success of students impacted by homelessness. The interview, scheduled to air on Tuesday, November 10, focuses on the success of their academic relationship and long-term commitment to Ana’s education, and the impact of SOWMA's services on homeless students. 

Brianna and her tutor, Donald Slovin, enjoying a great book together.                 

 

NECN cameraman, John Hammann shows SOWMA student Brianna how to focus the camera.

  

Donor generosity has made it possible for SOWMA to launch three new program sites and to enhance the quality of education for more kids in new communities who are impacted by homelessness. School on Wheels has added sites at Randolph High School and the STARR Transition House in Brockton, and expanded tutoring services into Fall River at the Roy Street Shelter.

Randolph High School

Children who live in shelter face daily challenges that others do not, like finding privacy or a quiet place to concentrate on homework, that make it difficult to focus on their education. This is why Randolph Savings Bank made the commitment to provide support and enhance educational opportunities for children impacted by homelessness in the community and enlisted other companies to follow their lead. They chose to partner with School on Wheels because of the impact SOWMA has on each and every child. “While working with their tutors the kids don’t have to think about being homeless. They have a caring adult focused on just them and they get to focus on the things kids are supposed to worry about like Math and English,” says Jim McDonough, President and CEO of Randolph Savings Bank.

With the support of local business partners, School on Wheels opened a tutoring site last year at the Randolph Community Middle School. This year SOWMA expanded the program to meet the needs of older kids at Randolph High School. The new program offers consistency to students as they move on to the higher grades. Tutoring began in October with five new students and five tutors, and SOWMA anticipates serving more children as the school year progresses.