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 About the Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center
 
 
 
Even though the Ruby E. Bailey Family Service was not officially established until 1998, it began decades ago with Ruby E. Bailey herself.  Mrs. Bailey realized there was a need in her own community and regularly gave clothes and food out of her own home to needy families.  She continued this for many years until her daughter Kelly Harris decided to create a community center and continue her mother's goodwill.  Hrs. Harris wanted to create a center that targeted all aspects of the Lexington community.  her goals were and continue to be to revitalize struggling areas of Lexington by working with the youth, their families and senior citizens.  The success of the center would not be possible without the many dedicated volunteers and their determination to make a difference.
 
Now in its 11th year, the center offers programs for children, adults, seniors, families and neighborhood revitalization.  All of the center's programs are operated through the use of volunteers with few exceptions, and are free to its participants.  Currently the service center provides the following programs:  the After School Program, Before School Program, the Weekend Program, tutoring, T.A.L.K.S. (Teens Talk about Life Kids Style), Art and Drama Club, Summer Food Program, Boot Camp Learn, Life Skills, Work program for Youth, Work Program for Adults & Seniors, Family Team Meetings, Senior to Senior and various year-round activities for families focusing on education and fun (Healthy & Safety Expo, Family Fest, Book Fair, Sowing Good Seeds and Lend-A-Hand Day).  Each of these programs works to target different areas and age groups in the community.  Daily, youth are provided with meals and a safe place to learn and grow.  Adults are provided with necessary job and parenting skills, and the comfort of knowing their children are receiving free quality childcare during the day.  Seniors are also provided with job skills and a place to voice their concerns about their community, and to support each other.
 
The Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center has successfully improved the lives of many and continues to positively
impact our community.  The Tutoring Program that began in 1998 is available to children and adults, and it is estimated that 90% who have completed the program increased in grade level.  The T.A.L.K.S.  program is a year-round support group for teens led by a licensed social worker, and 70% of teens who complete the program report a positive behavior change.  The Boot Camp Learn program which focuses on school structure and literacy was able to improve 70% of the participants test scores.  The Summer Food Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to children during the off-school season has 90% involvement from eligible participants.  The Life Skills program which focuses on developing personal abilities and building self-esteem was able to make a positive difference in 70% of the participants who completed the program.  These are just a few examples of the direct impact on local citizens by the programs offered by the Center.
 
The Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center's mission is to revitalize Lexington's poorest communities through education, childcare, mentoring and job skills training.  Many challenges have been faced since the creation of the center.  Finding qualified volunteers to teach the children to read and write, collecting resources and raising enough money to operate their Service Center facility.  Currently the Center is in the process of raising money in order to expand their current service center.  Another unique challenge the center faces is public outreach to citizens who need the center and its programs, but are unaware of the services it provides.
 
"Giving has been in my family for generations, starting with my great-grandmother and to my mother Ruby E. Bailey.  when it was my turn to make a difference I decided I wanted to touch as many lives as possible and make a difference in the communites of Lexington."  Kelly Harris.
 
For more information about the Ruby E. Bailey Service Center, call Mrs. Kelly Harris at 859-285-1833.
 
 
 
Fundraising Efforts
 
Like all non-profit organizations, the procurement of funds is of the highest importance.  While grants and donations provide some financial support, the ongoing personal efforts of Kelly Harris and her Husband, Neal, bring in much of the operating funds.  During the warm season, they can be found on most Saturdays at the Lexington Farmer's Market, selling their locally famous barbequed pulled pork.  They can also be spotted participating at local festivals and at some Thursday Night Live concerts in Cheapside Park.  Bluegrass Pig Day was born from the need for larger fundraising events that would also help give back to the community, particularly to children.  Kelly and Neal have also opened a new Barbeque restaurant called Neal's Smoke Box, as another fundraising avenue for the Center.
 
 
 
The Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center Opens A New Center
 
 The Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center is currently in the process of changing locations.  On June 13, 2009, from 1pm - 2pm, the Grand Opening will be held for their new location at 2350 Woodhill Drive, St. 72, in the Woodhill Shopping Center.  This location will serve as a temporary site while they continue to raise funds for the construction of a permanent, custom designed building.
 
Upon it's opening on June 6, the Center will operate on summer hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, and Saturdays, hours open determined by the classes offered that day.  New programs for youth will be added, including a sound recording workshop, art studio, and an ACT summer prep class.
 
 
 
Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center Opens New BBQ Restaurant

The Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center has opened a storefront for their famous barbeque pork, which can also be found at the Lexington Farmer's Market on most Saturdays. The new restaurant, called Neal's Smoke Box, is located at 6400 Polo Club Blvd., adjacent to the Chevron gas station, and behind the Rite Aid on the corner Man O War Blvd. and Polo Club Blvd. Open Mon - Fri, 11am - 6pm and Saturdays 1pm - 6pm, Neal's Smoke Box offers a great variety of traditional bbq fare, including Neal's signature pulled pork, brisket, bbq chicken, chicken wings and Chicago style polish sausage, with daily specials such as meatloaf, pizza, and steaks, and side dishes including cinnamon rolls, mac & cheese, green beans, baked beans, potato salad, corn, sweet potato, fries and peach cobbler. Neal's Smoke Box is a fundraising venue and all profits go to support the Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center, whose mission is to revitalize Lexington's poorest communities through education, mentoring and job skills training. For more information, contact Kelly or Neal Harris at Neal's Smoke box at 859-258-1270.