Dawson, Che, 2007 May 4

Che Dawson was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT, but retained close ties to the New Haven community. In 1994, while in college, Dawson took a summer job as a counselor at LEAP (Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Parternship) in the Church Street South neighborhood of New Haven. LEAP was founded in 1992. The experience changed Dawson's life and career path, and after college, Dawson returned to New Haven to work full time with LEAP. Dawson describes the manner in which the LEAP program affects not only the students and communities it serves, but its counselors and employees as well. Dawson learned the importance of self-sacrifice and commitment through the program. The secret to LEAP's success, Dawson suggests, is its continuing commitment to, and connection with, familes and communities. LEAP proved itself to be trustworthy and effective, and, in so doing, was able to integrate itself more deeply into the fabric of the communities it served. At the time of the interview, Dawson had left LEAP.

Interviewer: Howard, Meg