Background

Mission: Restore, Rebuild, and Reclaim Futures through education, career, health, and social programs impacting communities. 

FOUNDATION

Our founders bring expertise in the arts, technology, engineering, education, workforce development, community building, diversity, and health & wellness.  The launch team, Dr. Lin and Margo Dawson have decades of training and development expertise in higher education, K-12 schools, diversity and inclusion training, workforce development, faith-based leadership, and community relations. They began tackling issues of race, violence, and workplace inequity over 25 years ago consulting with groups like The Blackstone Rape Crisis Center, NC Legal Aid, John Deere, Quintiles, IBM, Explores Museum, Kenyan Tribal Leaders (Nairobi), Study Circles on Race & Ethnic Relations (sponsored by the YWCA & League of Women Voters), The National Consortium for Academics and Sports, and others. 

HISTORY

In response to the growing number of fatherless boys and those needing mentoring. in 2013, Lin Dawson returned home to Kinston, North Carolina, to launch the Coley Little Boys Saturday Academy.  Dawson and a group of locals designed a strategic plan to attract boys in need of a holistic program.  Dawson collaborated with Lenoir County Public Schools, Parks and Recreation, faith-based groups, and families to recruit and train boys in computer technology, study skills, finance, conflict resolution, anger management, fitness, and college to career exploration. In 2014, Lin and Margo Dawson launched the JH Sampson CDC  501 (c) (3) non-profit organization known today as Train Them Up for Success CDC.  The pillars include raising awareness for K-12 populations, college to career  exploration, health and wellness, violence prevention, and training leaders to lead.

PARTNERSHIPS

Margo took the baton by closing STEAM disparities with the Coley Little STEM Camps, NCA&T Women's Technology Campus Tours & Luncheon, NASA Education Training, Community Gardening with the NC State University Extension Program, Art Add On for the Solar Eclipse, and more.  Organizations like Centurylink, Lenovo, The American Tower Foundation, John Deere, Imhotep Academy, The STEM Resource Center at East Carolina University, and Duke University have supported these efforts.

COMMUNITY-MINDED

The leadership team is sensitive to working together with other community groups that are aligned with objectives to strengthen the community. The Dawsons have participated in community forums, Gang Violence and Law Enforcement trainings, and relief efforts to recover the impact of devastating storms.  In 2015, the organization collaborated with Friends in Ministry to launch the Rochelle Middle School After School Tutoring Program.  They called on retired teachers, educators, and community leaders to serve as volunteers. 

TODAY'S CHALLENGES ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD

The team faces today's challenges by providing solutions.  In response to COVID-19, Train Them Up for Success launched six weeks of Storytime & Science Episodes on Social Media for those sheltering in place.  In the summer of 2020, longtime wellness and education consultant, Jelyse Dawson, co-directed with Margo Dawson the Girls Fit to Soar Virtual Leadership Camp focusing on fitness, career, and college preparation.  Girls from various states participated with over 20 women serving as mentors sharing their career journeys.

Currently, ​​ Fit to Soar Career Mentoring Program and Fit to Soar Outdoor Adventures are the focus areas to overcome inequality in workforce development, environmental injustice, and wellness.