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.


Fourth and fifth-grade students from the Phoenix area will gather on Saturday, January 16, 2027, to reimagine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for hope at the first annual MLK Speak Up! Oratory Tournament. Multiple students will share original speeches responding to the question:

As a student of Dr. King’s life, what message of hope do you think he would have for the world today?

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

[email protected]

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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