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To positively change the culture of at-risk youth by providing them with the resources they need to be successful in life.

TUF Life Skills

TUF Life Skills is a grant program dedicated to providing life skills materials to at-risk students, Title 1 schools and organizations that lack funding. The TUF Life Skills program provides the life lessons needed for social and emotional growth and development.

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TUF Player Prep

The TUF Player Prep program was created to address the need for underserved students to get the tutoring they need to earn the highest scores possible on the standardized tests (SAT/ACT) required to get accepted into Colleges and Universities.

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TUF Evolv

The Evolv Brotherhood program was developed to combat gang violence in Tampa communities. Evolv implements concepts of comradeship and unity to at-risk young men in poverty-stricken communities. Young men typically join gangs as an effort to feel a sense of belonging and purpose in our society where young people struggle to fit in and feel significant.
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TUF Life Skills

TUF Life Skills is a grant program dedicated to providing life skills materials to at-risk students, Title 1 schools and organizations that lack funding. The TUF Life Skills program provides the life lessons needed for social and emotional growth and development.

Learn More

TUF Player Prep

The TUF Player Prep program was created to address the need for underserved students to get the tutoring they need to earn the highest scores possible on the standardized tests (SAT/ACT) required to get accepted into Colleges and Universities.

Learn More

TUF Evolv

The Evolv Brotherhood program was developed to combat gang violence in Tampa communities. Evolv implements concepts of comradeship and unity to at-risk young men in poverty-stricken communities. Young men typically join gangs as an effort to feel a sense of belonging and purpose in our society where young people struggle to fit in and feel significant.
Learn More

The Story

In 2009, a passionate mother sat at her kitchen table with 5 “at-risk” high school football players that had Division 1 scholarship offers all over the country that were unfortunately academically ineligible. Her daunting task was to “get them eligible” in 8 short weeks through endless hours of tutoring. Through this process, she realized that what they really lacked was not academic aptitude, but the life skills needed to succeed in the classroom … and in life. Her mission began to “even the playing field” by giving ALL youth the same academic, social and emotional foundation to set them up for success.

The Need

Being aware of one’s own feelings and those of others, regulating those feelings and using emotions appropriate to the situation are critical life skills that are often missing in today’s youth.

  • Poor school performance
  • Negative social relationships
  • Anger, acting out, other aggressive behaviors
  • Drug and alcohol abuse / addiction
  • Depression / suicide
  • School violence
  • Materialism
  • Entitlement

The Solution

We are unique! TUF trains the HEARTS of kids to create change from the inside out. We use powerful testimonials from professional athletes, entrepreneurs and business leaders to motivate and inspire kids to want to be their best.

The Benefits

Being aware of one’s own feelings and those of others, regulating those feelings and using emotions appropriate to the situation are critical life skills
that are often missing in today’s youth.

11% gain in academic achievement
23% gain in social behaviors
10% reduction in depression and anxiety
Every $1 invested in SEL programming, returns $11.

Decrease in substance abuse
Decrease in criminal behavior
Decrease in bullying
Improves relationships between students and teachers

“TUF is a proven product to teach today’s youth the life skills they need to achieve success . . . those skills needed to escape the epidemic of bad choices and bad behavior that are destroying our campuses and neighborhoods. I’ve seen how beneficial TUF has been to so many young people here in my hometown of Tampa. I believe every student should take TUF to learn the skills that they’ll use for the rest of their lives. Let’s change the culture of today’s youth.”

Tony Dungy – Superbowl Wining Head Coach

“We are thrilled and honored to partner with TUF at our clubs in Tampa Bay. Our youth and staff are so very engaged in the program. We are eager to expand our collaboration to serve more youth, more often, with greater impact.”

Chris Letsos, President and CEO Boys & Girls Clubs, Tampa Bay

"TUF is an initiative that is impacting thousands of America’s youth in a significant way. TUF provides an academic and life skills program that has been statistically proven to greatly increase students’ GPAs. Not only that, TUF also increases their chances to be successful in life socially and emotionally through their powerful and unique life skills curriculum. Every kid on the planet needs TUF!”

Nick Bollettieri, Hall of Fame Tennis Coach, Founder IMG Academies

“’The TUF material is very user friendly, and quickly engages young people generally, and young student athletes specifically. The world class amateur and professional athletes used to convey the lessons are excellent role models, and the messages they share are timely, inspirational and right on point for today’s young athletes. We are confident the youngsters in our “Guide the Thunder” program will benefit greatly from utilizing the TUF materials, and we are very pleased to be associated with such an outstanding organization.”

Jay Feaster, Executive Director, Community Hockey Development, Tampa Bay Lightning
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“Through the amazingly transformative and comprehensive TRAIN UP Program, our students have reached new heights in their academics, sports, households, and in the community, but more importantly, they desire to continue to climb more ascending mountains that previously they could have never envisioned."

Robert Weiner, Plant High School (Tampa, FL) Head Football Coach,
English Teacher Four-Time State Champion and Member, NIKE Coaches Summit
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Sponsors and Schools

Thank You To Our Past/Current Sponsors:

 
 

Train Up Programs Proudly Used at These Schools and Organizations:

 
 

Contact Train Up Foundation

 

(813) 489-9367

PO Box......

info@trainupfoundation.com

TRAIN UP FOUNDATION IS RECOGNIZED AS A PUBLIC CHARITY UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND HAS 501(C)(3) STATUS. DONATIONS TO THE TRAIN UP FOUNDATION ARE DEDUCTIBLE. DONORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISOR FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING DEDUCTIBILITY. THE TRAIN UP FOUNDATION EIN IS 27-1676722. A COPY OF THE TRAIN UP FOUNDATION DETERMINATION LETTER IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.