10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA HONORS SOWMA'S DECADE OF SERVICE TO STUDENTS IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS

Ten years after its launch with two tutoring sites,10 students and the goal of improving educational opportunities for children impacted by homelessness, the non-profit organization School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) marked its first decade of success in September at a 10th Anniversary Gala at Showcase Live in Foxboro.

The celebratory event honored SOWMA’s remarkable growth, including the organization’s launch of 22 program sites, training of nearly 1,500 volunteer tutors, and tutoring and support for more than 1,700 students. The room bubbled with excitement as the standing room only crowd of nearly 400 guests joined Celebrity Emcee and NECN news anchor Latoyia Edwards and SOWMA founder and Executive Director Cheryl Opper and her staff for an evening of dancing to the sounds of The Soul Ambition Band, bidding on live and silent auction items, magazine cover guest photos provided by FUN Enterprises, and dining on hors d’oeuvres and delicious desserts donated, in part, by Cupcake Charlie’s of Foxboro. The successful event surpassed its $100,000 fundraising goal by more than 13%.

Highlighting the evening was the emotional speech by UMass Dartmouth alumnae Kerenne Paul, who is the organization’s first college graduate. Introduced by her brother, Marc-Daniel Paul, the 22-year-old recounted her journey from being tutored by SOWMA at a family shelter in Middleboro to receiving her college degree in May as the first college graduate of SOWMA’s High School Plus program. Now employed as a program assistant at Harvard Medical School, Paul looks forward to pursuing her Master’s degree at the Harvard Business Extension School.

Easton resident David Howe, owner and president of Evolution Sports in Easton and J.Derenzo Co. of Brockton, was honored as SOWMA’s first “Champion for Our Kids,” for his longstanding commitment to the organization. “Dave’s commitment to our mission both on a personal and business level has been outstanding,” describes Opper. “His ability to raise awareness and funds for School on Wheels, and to support children impacted by homelessness in his community has changed the lives of hundreds of students. Dave Howe is truly a ‘Champion for our Kids’.”

Chaired by Carol Augustyniak Marcus, Jonah Wein, and Tara DiPersio, with support from Gala Committee members
Bonnie Enriquez, Susan Finn,
Carey Flynn,
Dan Gardiner,
Ellen Gasson,
Athena Giannaros,
Sean Grover,
Elle Lombardi,
Cheryl Opper,
Lori Prew,
Janet Savard,
Jill Spatola,
and Arlene Treacy-Montgomery, the 10th Anniversary Gala will help to support SOWMA’s 14 program sites in six communities and benefit over 250 students by providing one-on-one tutoring and mentoring, new backpacks, school supplies, and books, and academic advocacy. Funds from the Gala will also help support SOWMA’s 34 students currently enrolled in college by assisting with the cost of textbooks, tuition, class fees and transportation.

“It was a magical night,” Opper described. “The room was filled with enthusiasm and love for our students and our mission. The guests were excited to support SOWMA and they wanted to be part of our life-changing work for our kids.”

ABOUT SCHOOL ON WHEELS OF MASSACHUSETTS

As the only organization in Massachusetts providing customized one-on-one tutoring, backpacks, school supplies, college assistance, educational advocacy, and parental support for students impacted by homelessness, School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) is dedicated to providing students with the tools they need for achieving their full potential despite having no place to call home. Learn more about SOWMA and its life-changing work at www.sowma.org or phone Cheryl Opper at 508-587-9091 to learn how you can impact a child’s life with SOWMA.

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