Community House has recognized Sharon Bailey '75 and her husband John Bailey with a Legacy of Service Award for launching educational and mentoring programs three decades ago.
Sharon Bailey, who studied anthropology and teacher preparation at Princeton, volunteered at Community House as an undergraduate and became its director after graduation. Her future husband, John, a Princeton resident who attended Wagner College in New York, was mentoring local students through the Princeton Youth Center at the time.
The two collaborated to develop mentoring programs in academics and sports, focusing on youth in the predominantly African-American John Witherspoon community.
"We really appreciate the award," Sharon Bailey said. "I really felt a great grounding [in my service], and I'm still indebted to Princeton. The motto 'Princeton in the nation's service' has really stuck with me."
Those who knew Sharon and John Bailey in the 1970s noted their critical role in increasing the University's involvement in the community.
"Sharon and John had programs that were extremely powerful," said Jacqueline Shain, a member of the Community House advisory board, which issued the award. "It was an outreach that was originally formed by students and not initially supported by the University."
Shain said Sharon Bailey affected many during her four years as a University student.
"She didn't just get her Princeton degree and take off. She really was a person that the community loved," Shain said.
Another member of the advisory board, Henry Pannell, said he hoped the recognition of John Bailey would encourage middle-aged men to get involved.
"I hope John sparks an effort to get people his age and older to start helping youth in the community," he said.
Pannell, a longtime Princeton resident who knew John Bailey as a child, believes Bailey still has much to offer the Princeton community.
"What we really need are male mentors to work with kids, and I think John can help motivate people to really take things on," Pannell said.
Sharon Bailey, who currently serves as policy director of the Denver Auditing Office, and John Bailey, a political consultant, will return to Princeton from their home in Denver to receive the award during a fundraising banquet on April 28. Proceeds from the banquet will establish a fund for summer programs geared toward underprivileged area youth.
Later that week, Sharon Bailey will deliver a lecture on "Town-Gown Service Opportunities," and John Bailey will discuss the township's policy toward gangs with community members.
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