02-04-2025
Remarkable Woman: Darlene Lewis, founder of The Hope Center
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Southwest and Central Virginia are filled with remarkable women, and we're introducing you to some during March during Nexstar's Remarkable Women contest.
Roanoke's northwest side can often be overlooked, but one of our four contestants is committed to making that community shine with opportunity and hope. Darlene Lewis founded The Hope Center 10 years ago as a place of love to address the community's needs.
On 11th and Moorman in Roanoke, Virginia, you can find a bright spot of hope in a neighborhood that can sometimes be overlooked.
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'This community has never been an easy one. It's, it's stricken with drugs, um, violence at times, uncertainty, um, a lack of access to resources,' said Briana Taylor, Hope Center Volunteer.
In the past 10 years, Darlene Lewis has filled that need with The Hope Center.
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'She's magical in an otherwise abandoned area,' said Gregory Hunt, Hope Center Volunteer.
Mrs. Lewis is a woman of faith; she says that in 1994, she got the calling to be a mother to the community.
'I mean, these grown people are calling her mama,' said Hunt.
What she has created is a resiliency center.'
Briana Taylor, Hope Center Volunteer
Mrs. Lewis took a building filled with potential and hasn't looked back since.
'I got my first retirement check, and I paid the rent with it, and to me, it is a place of love,' Darlene Lewis, Founder of The Hope Center. 'When we first opened, we came in, we waited to see what the community needed.'
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Those needs include counseling, youth programs, a warming and cooling center, a clothing closet, a food pantry, and more. She's there to lend a helping hand.
Donations and volunteering help fuel the Hope Center. Mrs. Lewis is always in charge of ensuring the community gets the essentials.
'Tuesdays are food day; we give out food boxes, where we pick up the food, box it up, and then distribute it on Tuesdays. And then we do the same thing on Saturday,' said Lewis.
The Hope Center is open 7 days a week and is willing to embrace all who walk through its doors.
'I was homeless at one time,' said Charles Bratton, Hope Center recipient.
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Charles shared that he was living in his car in 2023 when Mrs. Lewis found out, and she sprang into action.
'She helped me to get an apartment and someplace to stay,' said Bratton. Mrs. Lewis says it is her calling to help, no matter the need.
The only reason that I'm here is because of the people.'
Darlene Lewis, Founder of The Hope Center
The Hope Center is a non-profit shared by Mrs. Lewis, and everything is volunteer- and donation-based.
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