LENOIR, N.C. — Darren Bryant clocks in every morning at 6:30 a.m. 

What You Need To Know

Darren Bryant was hired last year by the city of Lenoir during the pandemic to help keep City Hall clean

This summer Bryant was promoted to Main Street attendant

He keeps the streets clean and guides visitors on the best spots to visit

Bryant used to be homeless 

He was hired by the city of Lenoir last year during the pandemic as part of the sanitation department. 

The first task he tackles is City Hall. Then they added the police department, and now this year, they added blue skies to his duties. 

"It's been a wonderful, wonderful thing," Bryant said. 

When COVID restrictions began easing this summer, the city wanted someone who could keep downtown tidy and also point the growing number of visitors in the right direction. 

Bryant was promoted to Main Street attendant. 

He now cleans up Main Street, picking up a growing number of cigarette butts and trash, but he says he is thankful. 

“There’s been a lot of positive feedback from the job I’ve done, which I appreciate that very much because I do care," Bryant said. 

A few year ago, Bryant hit a rough patch in his life. In 2002, he was homeless. 

“It was a very difficult time in life, and I don’t ever want to be back in that situation again," Bryant said. 

He said his mother taught him to never give up.

As he kept working to get out of that low point in his life, he found this job, which he loves. 

Bryant was born and raised in Caldwell County, so he knows downtown Lenoir well. 

He even plays his guitar at local restaurants on the weekends. 

Bryant is proud to keep his downtown clean and point neighbors to the best ice cream shops and burgers in town. 

"And I do the best for my family, that's what I try to do," Bryant said.