About

 In her spare time this mother of three and grandmother of one enjoys volunteering in her community where she provides servant-leadership, wearing multiple hats as a Community Activist, Advocate, Connector and Educator. Her servant leadership spans many organizations which include: serving on the Ferguson Township Planning Commission, the State College Community Land Trust (SCCLT) Outreach and Development Committee, the SCCLT’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee, the Centre County Human Relations Advisory Council (CCHRA) to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), Global Connections Executive Committee as the Co-Vice Chair of Cultural Luncheons, the Chair of the Community Diversity Group (CDG) Sub-Committee Cultural Corners, the Secretary for the Forum on Black Affairs (FOBA) at Penn State University at University Park, the Pine Grove Mills Small Area Plan Advisory Board (Pine-SAP), Centre County Women’s Leadership Coalition (CCWLC), the Community Volunteer Leader for the Centre County American Red Cross where she is also a founding member of the Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, Board Member for Bridge of Hope Centre County (BOHCC) and the BOHCC Church Relations Committee, and last but not least a member of both the Community Care Committee and the Health Committee with the NAACP State College Chapter. 

Her most recent accomplishment was completing the Leadership Centre County community development training program and becoming a proud member of the Class of 2020 cohort.

As an agent of change, Shannon believes volunteering, philanthropy, and humanitarianism are all gifts that keeps on giving. It is for this reason that she aspires to inspire others to be servant-leaders by volunteering in their community so that they can be the change they desire to see.

Kevin lives in the Houserville area with his wife and three sons and is a member of the State College Evangelical Free Church. He enjoys spending his free time with his family and particularly enjoys hiking, fishing, stargazing, and watching Penn State football. Kevin is honored to have the opportunity to serve the local community through Bridge of Hope.

Lauren is from Hollidaysburg and throughout college was always active with the community through volunteering. Lauren moved to Harrisburg in 2009 to pursue a school counseling job within the district. While living in Harrisburg Lauren became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.-Nu Sigma Zeta Chapter. A huge part of Zeta Phi Beta is giving back to the community through service and helping others excel. When Lauren moved back to the area she was drawn to Bridge of Hope because it was a way to serve the community and to bring awareness to homelessness in Centre County.

Kimisse is originally from Queens, New York and moved here to State College with her parents. She is a proud single parent of four boys. She is a senior at Penn State University working towards a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services, and her future goal is to go for her master’s degree in Counseling to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, traveling, shopping, and eating. She also enjoys being a community activist, an advocate speaking out against injustice, and is really dedicated to doing social justice work. Kimisse is a member of the State College NAACP, Campus Community and Unity group (CCU), Centre County Human Relations Committee, and the PA Prison Society. She is excited and looking forward to helping prevent and bring awareness to family homelessness.

Darchelle is owner of Thee Lasting Look, Inc. and has been a Multicultural Hair Care Provider for 30yrs.  Seventeen of those years served in Centre County.  Darchelle is a graduate of Gordon Phillips Beauty School, where she received her basic hair care skills and training.  Soon after, she graduated from Dudley Cosmetology University where she received her advanced hair care training, master haircutting and makeup artistry.  In 2019, she became a licensed Cosmetology Teacher by way of Altoona Beauty School.  Darchelle has not only had the opportunity to use her skills and talents to serve the community but she has had the privilege to uplift and encourage others while doing so.  Supporting and letting someone know they are not alone when experiencing the highs and lows of life has a great impact.

Sharing her knowledge and equipping others is important to Darchelle as well.  She hosts a Natural Hair Camp for young girls that covers the History of Cornrows, the Crown Act, braiding techniques, product usage and the proper tools to use for natural hair care.  She also developed hair products that fight against hair and scalp damage caused by hard water and dryness due to low humidity in the climate.

Ultimately, Darchelle’s faith is the driving force to all she does.  She is a member of Unity Church of Jesus Christ where she serves as a Co-Facilitator for the New Members Ministry, a ministry that teaches new members the pillars that the church is established and stands on.  She also Co-Teaches the Foundations Class, a course that explores the Biblical foundational truths for every believer to build their lives upon.

Joining Bridge of Hope serves as another extension of Darchelle’s passion to come alongside those in her community with the hope and love of Christ.