Born to Soar
Empowering the next generation through literacy, mentorship, and integrated wellness
Our Foundation
Who We Are
The Charley and Dorothy Croomes Foundation is a Phoenix-based charitable organization dedicated to transforming lives through our flagship program, Born 2 Soar (B2S).
Our Vision
To become the world-class leader in wellness advocacy for tweens and teens, creating pathways to success for young people in under-resourced communities.
Building Tomorrow's Leaders
Our mission is to build strong leadership and life skill sets, advocating for young men and women as they become well-read, responsible, intellectually-observant, service-oriented and civic-focused change-agents.
Responsibility
Taking ownership of actions and decisions
Integrity
Operating with honesty and strong moral principles
Self-Determination
Empowering youth to shape their own futures
Excellence
Pursuing the highest standards in all endeavors
The Dream
Build a district-wide literary ecosystem
We envision connecting books, mentorship, and meaningful incentives to inspire a love of reading among 4th-grade Black and Brown boys—transforming how young learners engage with literacy and discover their potential.
Four Pillars of Impact
1
Read and Reward
A year-round reading support initiative that celebrates progress and builds confidence through recognition and incentives.
2
Mentoring
Building practical and positive skill sets through one-on-one guidance, coaching, and meaningful relationships.
3
Civic Engagement
Developing holistic communication and leadership skills that prepare youth for community participation.
4
Academic Support
Reinforcing classroom initiatives to promote academic excellence and personal wellness in all areas of life.
Proven Results from Fort Worth
Program Launch
Born 2 Soar launched in March 2025 at River Tree Academy in Fort Worth, Texas—a Christian-based independent school serving under-resourced students with whole-child education.
Summer Success
Our Read and Reward summer program engaged 6 scholars who submitted essays, with two participants reporting that their enthusiasm about books changed markedly as a result of the program.
13
Average Participants
Monthly meeting attendance
5
Total Hours
Of live reading sessions
The Urgent Need in Phoenix
12
Points Lower
Black students' average reading scores compared to White students in Arizona (2015)
25
Points Lower
Hispanic students' average reading scores compared to White students in Arizona (2015)
70%
Youth Disengagement
Of youth for whom church played a significant role stop attending regularly
These gaps demand action. Our integrated wellness approach addresses the root causes and creates lasting change.
Our Integrated Wellness Approach
I-Read Academy
Building reading proficiency through engagement and incentives
I-Speak Academy
Developing oratory skills and confident communication
Holistic Outcomes
Improved test scores, confidence, and graduation rates
We believe that what a child reads, writes, and speaks becomes what they live.
Making It Happen
Read and Reward 2026. Our signature program.
Total funding needed: $10,000
  • Books: $2,600
  • Backpacks: $1,500
  • Supplies: $2,500
  • Venue: $1,500
  • Incentives/Tees: $1,100
Expected Impact
  • Improved reading test scores
  • Increased student confidence
  • Extract value from commitment
  • Enhanced verbal communication
  • Enhanced written communication
Call to Action: Partner with community change-agents in reversing literacy outcomes.
Join Us in Transforming Lives
Get Involved
Partner with us to bring Born 2 Soar to Phoenix schools and communities
Contact Us
Wayne E. Croomes, Executive Director
214.493.2875
Learn more at www.pastorwericcroomes.com | Follow us on Facebook: Born 2 Soar
About the Founder
Pastor W. "Dubya" Eric Croomes founded Born 2 Soar in 2023, establishing an online mentoring program dedicated to empowering tweens and teens to reach their full academic and personal potential. A proud native of Phoenix, Pastor Croomes is a product of the city's elementary and secondary school system. He holds a degree from Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, Texas, and furthered his theological studies with seminary graduate work in Fort Worth, Texas.
As a published author of several books, Pastor Croomes is deeply committed to fostering youth development. His work emphasizes the mastery of reading skills as an integral component of a holistic wellness approach, guiding young people toward achieving their life goals.
Born 2 Soar operates as a key program under the Charley and Dorothy Croomes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Phoenix, Arizona.
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