Sara Feasel

For the month of January, Herd Strategies is highlighting people and organizations who help others rediscover their passions, purpose and peace. Sara Feasel, director of development for Hope Center Indy, fulfills her calling to serve her community through the center’s life-changing work: empowering survivors of human trafficking on their journey to healing.

Sara Feasel has always had a deep passion for making new connections and helping others. She started her career as a multi-family and military housing property manager, which allowed her to develop unique skills in sales and marketing, customer service, people management and strategic planning. She joined the Hope Center Indy team in the spring of 2018 as a grants administrator while providing professional support to the executive staff. Now, as their director of development, she oversees Hope Center’s fundraising efforts by finding and cultivating critical relationships with individuals and organizations to secure philanthropic support. Sara identifies comprehensive fundraising and marketing trends and works with department leaders to create initiatives that contribute to personal, group, and organizational growth while raising awareness about human trafficking and Hope Center programs and services.

Six years ago, Hope Center Indy co-founders Pastor Hubert Nolen and David Nolen identified a severe lack of housing, resources and a clear pathway to healing for human trafficking survivors, especially women survivors, in our country and state. “They felt called to create a ministry, a refuge, where these women could come, start their healing journey, and get the care and resources they need to start anew,” said Sara. 

Hope Center's Take Heart Residential program serves women overcoming sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. “A holistic approach to healing is critical for long-term success,” Sara shared. “Many of the women who come here are not dealing with just one layer of trauma, so we have to work alongside each individual resident and help them move forward in all areas of their lives.” The center uses a Five Pillars model, giving residents individualized support in their spiritual, career/educational, wellness, financial and relational journeys. They then work with their care team to identify personalized ways to build skills, heal and grow. “I believe survivors don't need to be given a voice: they already have one. Our job is to ethically amplify those voices,” Sara emphasized.

The renovation of the Hope Center Indy location was a journey of rediscovery in itself. Rich in local history, the Hope Center campus was originally built in the 1800s for people with low resources in the community. Since then, the space has been utilized for many different purposes, including a senior living facility, or, more recently, a Christian college.

The ability to accommodate residents, combined with its large footprint, made the campus the perfect location for the Hope Center to innovate and expand as their programs grew. Some spaces were renovated to become bedrooms, classrooms, offices or recreation areas for the residents. Other areas became businesses, such as the Redefined Hope Boutique, Coffee Shop, Beauty Salon, and Greenhouse, which provide residents with safe and sober work environments while raising funds and awareness for the Hope Center ministry. The historic 100-year-old brick barn on the property was transformed into a wedding barn, where couples can donate the proceeds of their special day back to the Hope Center. The campus is now also home to a training center for K-9s that help law enforcement identify potential child exploitation cases. 

Sara shared that despite what the Hope Center has accomplished, there is still so much exciting opportunity for growth. “I think with any growing organization, there's always a challenge of there being so much to get done, and everything seems like a priority. The Hope Center is no exception,” she said. “But whenever the task at hand seems overwhelming or my to-do list grows faster than I can shrink it, I try to remember our mission statement, that we're here to impart hope and healing to every heart.”

To keep up with Sara, follow her on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Follow Hope Center Indy updates on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.