Fred Barley is living proof that you can do anything you want if you just put your mind to it. A 19-year-old homeless teen from Georgia was determined to register for his second semester of college. So determined he rode his brother’s bike for six hours from Conyers to Burnsville carrying literally everything he owned on his back along with two gallons of water. Gordon State College dorms do not open until August. Until then, Barley decided to pitch a tent on the campus. Making ends meet he had a box of cereal to eat. He plans to stay on the campus for weeks and look for a place to work.
Officers responded to the story of a man sleeping in a tent on the campus. The police did not take Barley into custody, they listened to him. Barley is a Biology major hoping to one day attend medical school. He told the officers he rather stay on campus rather then sleep in Conyers. The officers explained that he could not stay on the campus and decided to help him out by putting him in a hotel to sleep in for two days.
Barley says,
“The stuff that’s happening with police officers, I am black and he didn’t care what color I was. He just helped me, and that meant a lot,”
The officer’s wife posted Barley’s story to her Facebook. Barley is also being allowed to move in early into the dorms. Thats wonderful. DB’s Pizzeria owner, Debbie Adamson, hired Barley as a dishwasher at her shop. She says she plans to teach him how to cook their pizza, and will work with his class schedule to keep him employed. She said,
“I created a position for him before he walked in my door. I didn’t know his name. I didn’t know the color of his skin. I didn’t care. I’ve been there so I guess I had a soft spot for anyone who is that determined to succeed in life,”
Barley’s story has now gone viral and touched the hearts of a lot of people. People have donated clothes, school supplies, and a new bike. Some are even trying to get Barley a car! People are offering to take care of his medical and dental needs as well. Casey Blaney, one of the officers who helped pay for Barley’s motel room has now created a Success for Fred Facebook page and a GoFundMe page that has now raised over the $80,000 goal. This is awesome! Barley took to thank everyone for all of their help and support.
Source: Complex
