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In the quest for success in school and in life, many students face daunting obstacles with limited resources. That's where SparkWheel comes in. For more than 25 years, schools and families have counted on us to remove barriers, fill gaps, and be personal champions to help students thrive. Our trustworthy, passionate staff work inside schools alongside community partners to do whatever it takes to help students reach their full potential.

SparkWheel serves more than 30,000 students in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Iowa. Through the Integrated Student Supports framework, we help to support students’ academic and non-academic needs, resulting in an increased sense of well-being and greater success in school.

Working on a SparkWheel story? Members of the press can contact our

Communications Department with media inquiries.

About SparkWheel

1995

YEAR FOUNDED

What started as Communities In Schools of Kansas with one employee, has grown into SparkWheel: a massively impactful organization committed to igniting student success.

30k

STUDENTS

Each year, we help more than 30,000 students and their families overcome challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, trauma, and homelessness.

60+

SCHOOLS

From pre-k to post-secondary and beyond, we are helping students and families overcome a wide variety of barriers to reach their goals and thrive!

EMPLOYEES

The people who make up SparkWheel are truly an exceptional group. They not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk.

Short
Description

At SparkWheel, we strive to alleviate barriers that students and families face. Working inside schools, we provide support and services for their unique needs. We identify the needs of each student and partner with the community to address them. Whether it’s clean clothes, help with schoolwork or referrals for other services, we link students with what they need to achieve their goals. We believe there is a spark in every student we serve, and we are here to ignite their success!

One-Liner

At SparkWheel, we work to alleviate barriers, enabling students and their families to reach their goals.

Full
Boilerplate

Today’s students face incredible challenges every day. For some students, going to school is a chance to learn and share with friends. For others, school is the place where the only hot meal of the day is served, and they can forget about struggles at home. For these students, it is difficult to focus at school, and poor academic outcomes show the results.

At SparkWheel, we envision a world where barriers such as hunger and poverty do not stand in the way of students reaching their goals. To get there, we work with schools and community partners to gather local resources, which we connect with the students and families who need them the most. Our presence and connection to the student, families, school, and the community, allows us to respond with whatever is needed, whenever it is needed. For more than 25 years, we have seen students overcome barriers, achieve impressive outcomes, and change their futures!

How do I apply to be a volunteer with SparkWheel?

For information on how to volunteer with SparkWheel, email: volunteer@sparkwheel.org
What schools does SparkWheel serve? Is SparkWheel in my community?

You can find the full list of schools and communities that we are working in HERE.
Who do I contact if I have issues with my SparkWheel volunteer supervisor?

If you are having trouble communicating with your direct SparkWheel supervisor (Student Support Coordinator), please reach out to Sophie Archuleta, Director of Special Programs, at sophie.archuleta@sparkwheel.org
Do I need to go through a background check process to volunteer with the organization?

The safety of our students is of the utmost importance at SparkWheel. Volunteers who take on roles that will give them one-to-one or continual access to students must go through our background check process. This includes a detailed volunteer application, screening interview, Child Abuse and Neglect Registry checks, State Background Checks, and the National Sex Offenders Public Registry checks.
Can I volunteer in more than one school in my community?

Absolutely!
Can corporate groups volunteer?

Yes! There are opportunities where groups can volunteer. These events vary from school to school, so be sure to contact your Student Support Coordinator to find these opportunities.
Can my family volunteer?

Yes! There are opportunities where the whole family can join! These events vary from school to school, so be sure to contact your Student Support Coordinator to find these opportunities.
Who do I contact if I cannot make it to my volunteer shift?

Your SparkWheel volunteer supervisor is your first line of contact. This person is usually a Student Support Coordinator working within the school.
What other ways can I give to the organization?

There are plenty of ways in which you can support students through SparkWheel. In addition to the multiple volunteer opportunities, we also accept monetary and in-kind donations. To make a monetary donation, simply click DONATE on our page. To make an in-kind donation, please contact your local Student Support Coordinator to find out what items they need.