Children Are People, Inc.

My name is Fred Bailey. I am the founder and Executive Director of Children Are People, Inc. I saw a need for an afterschool program for at-risk youth in Gallatin/Sumner County, TN -- a place for students to work on homework, get help with their studies, receive a nutritious meal and stay off the streets and out of trouble. Today, we serve 65 students in grades K-12. Our services are offered free of charge to the families that we serve. We could help more students but we are limited by the space in the building we occupy. Our organization is volunteer-based and we do not take any governmental funding -- federal, state or local. My formula for success is DESIRE + AMBITION + PERSISTENCE = WORK ETHIC.

CAP is one the most successful organizations at accomplishing its goal of saving children and giving them an opportunity to better themselves by becoming a self sufficient and self supporting proud American.

Children are People Inc is the most fantastic organization that I have ever worked with. The staff and teachers are caring, passionate, and driven towards bettering the lives of each and every child. For CAP no children are left behind, every child is given love, attention, and academic instruction. Each and every child is shown that they are capable of achieving great things through hard work and perseverance. I cannot think of a better organization to be apart of or a more positive way to effect a child's life than to enhance their educational experience.

I drove Fred Bailey, Director of Children Are People, INC, on Tuesday nights for 3 or 4 years. He is blind. He lives in a different town than the program and used his own money to get to and from his students for several years until volunteers became aware of his mission and drove for him. He now pays for that service.

During that time I became the bookkeeper for Children Are People, INC. I saw the expenses of running the facility, purchasing adequate vans to transport the students, the cost of a snack and dinner for the students, massive hours donated by van drivers, teachers, specialists who taught professions to Seniors, office help and kitchen workers. There was an army of volunteers. When they were not available, Fred was the stand in, mainly in the classroom. Fred spent non-classroom time out in the community seeking funds to keep his program going and to seek volunteers.

Expenses were needed to cover insurance for directors, key man, auto, general liability plus gas for vans, repairs to vans and the facility, meals and snacks and supplies for teaching including desks, chairs, other furniture. The summer programs required money to send each student to Y camp for a week, pay students for reading books one summer, and to pay for art classes at the local community college. Fred gives the students a full spectrum of learning to include the real world. The Camp staff and the Rental Bus driver who drove the kids to camp all claimed Fred's students were the nicest and most well behaved children of all they had ever worked with. The graduates are successes due to Fred's strict discipline and accountability teachings. Everyone is responsible for his own future no matter what obstacles cross his path.

My husband and I support the program financially now and have helped a CAP graduate enrolled in pre-med at a local college. Fred used all volunteer teachers until they were burned out and then was able to get grants to hire one or two. He needs to hire many more.

CAPs shortcomings are lack of facility to accept all students on the waiting list and lack of funds to hire certified teachers to do the tutoring and teaching in this after school program. It is geared to the less fortunate student who has limited funds and/or limited help at home.

I encourage all who are able to give even $10 if that is what you can spare. I saw for myself how every dollar was appreciated and used wisely to better this generation of children to be productive and mature citizens. I admire and respect Fred Bailey completely.

His Assistant Director is a marvelous asset also. She relates to the students, gives a stern but motherly influence, and keeps the fires burning under volunteers and donors to make sure CAP maintains its goals. Please help CAP survive, especially in these hard economic times. Your money will not be wasted.

Children Are People, Inc. in Gallatin, TN has done wonders for my daughter as well as myself. My daughter attends the program and receives assistance with homework and other areas three times per week. I also volunteer on my days off from work. I have developed long lasting relationships with the children served and seen them grow and mature through this fantastic program. Without Children Are People, Inc., alot of these children would have no place to go after school for assistance with homework or any form of supervision due to parents working and unable to afford regular after school care.

I've been donating to CAP for years. It is the best local organization to help youth. Mr. Bailey, the founder and director, is a phenomanal man and fantastic role model for the children who attend the CAP programs. If you're looking to give back to the community and you like working with kids -- CAP is the place for you. All that most of the CAP kids want is for someone to care and take an interest in them. Donating my money is easy. Donating my time is harder -- but the reward is so much greater.