STOKES COUNTY, N.C. — A UNC Greensboro alum and nonprofit director is working to make a big impact in a small town. 

What You Need To Know

A new community center is coming to Walnut Cove

UNCG students are helping design the center

The nonprofit raised $50,000 to buy a lot on Main Street for the center

Leslie Bray Brewer serves as a pastor and director of the nonprofit, Times of Refreshing ministries. Brewer grew up in Walnut Cove and graduated from UNCG.

“I’m crazy about Walnut Cove!" Brewer said. "I've been called a fanatic. I've been called obsessed. But because I used to hate it so much, the turn to love it was just as extreme. I love this place. I don't ever want to be anywhere else.”

She's partnering with architecture students from her alma mater to build a new community center.

"It reminds me of where I grew up," said UNCG student Sarah Malone. "Very spread out. I’m kind of walking around and just thinking about the transportation side of this. And how we are going to get people here if they don't have public transportation.”

Brewer hopes the new addition will change the lives of those in Stokes County.

“It will have a full-sized basketball court with retractable goals, elevated walking track, classrooms for education on health and wellness," Brewer said.

The nonprofit raised $50,000 over the past few years to buy the lot on Main Street.