Darlene’s Story

I grew up in a loving family, where my father served as a pastor of a small church in Mechanic Falls. At the age of 14, my life changed dramatically when my first son, Eric, was born. With the unwavering support of my family, I was able to continue my education, but raising Eric was not without its challenges. As a teenager, Eric struggled deeply, experimenting with drugs, running away frequently, and battling inner turmoil. At 14, Eric became a father himself, but despite his growing responsibilities, he couldn’t find the peace he so desperately sought. Watching my son’s pain broke my heart. It was then that I began dreaming of creating a place where teens could find safety, support, and hope, But with four other young children at home at the time, that dream had to wait. In 2015, tragedy entered my life when Eric passed away from an overdose, leaving behind three sons.

It took five more years, but that dream began to take shape and become a reality.  Salt & Light Community Center was founded in 2020. God  assembled a wonderfully dedicated board and together we secured 501(c)(3) status, and began serving our community. 

Without a building to call home, Salt & Light utilized Chestnut Park to host story hours, Kids Adventure Camps, and sports programs—all designed to connect with youth and families while sharing the love of Jesus in practical and meaningful ways. Today, that dream that was born out of tragedy and loss has grown into a vibrant mission.

Now, we are at another pivotal - and exciting moment. Our team has prayed and searched for a permanent home for our ministry for some time  - a place where this small ministry could flourish. We are currently under contract for (address, sq ft, etc). Our offer of $465,000 has been accepted, bringing us one step closer to establishing a secure, stable hub for our programs. 

For this to be possible, we must raise the funds before closing (when?). Securing this building will ensure that our program base remains strong and will allow us to expand into critical areas, such as teen mentoring and addiction prevention and recovery for youth and families. 

This is where I need your help. Your financial support can turn this vision into a reality. Together, we can create a space where teens find belonging, families find healing, and our community finds hope. Please consider giving generously to help us reach this goal and leave a lasting legacy of transformation in Auburn.