Raising a family in Old Southwest
Stephen Bendele
OSW President
In 2020, work gave me the option of relocating to Roanoke or Virginia Beach. Since I’ve always hated sand and loved the mountains, my wife and I chose this beautiful area near the Blue Ridge Mountains. We bought our home at 426 Woods Avenue in historic Old Southwest in October, 2020 and started our family in a neighborhood where we have made friends and enjoy urban living.
I became involved with OSW Inc. as a volunteer here and there — serving on the initial steering committee for conceptualizing the Day Avenue Pocket Park and assisting with clean-up and maintenance of the Woods Avenue lots that were donated to OSW by former neighbors. These lots serve as an important buffer to the railroad tracks and Roanoke River, our city’s water supply. My current goal, as president of OSW Inc. is to be the organization's face and actively act as an amplifier of the goals and interests of our neighborhood community members: YOU! If you want to start a club, create an event, or just grab a cup of coffee, please contact me (703.715.7024). Let’s talk about how to make it happen. On the administration side of things, my short-term goals are to negotiate with the city for a new lease of the historic Alexander-Gish House, our community hub. I am focused on increasing community participation, reviewing the current bylaws, and creating officer and committee transition binders to add continuity to our already vibrant neighborhood alliance. Luckily, I have a two-year term as president and lots of great support to accomplish these things. My overarching goal is to be an example of radical community care. I believe, "A true selfless act always spars another."
On the personal side of things, I am the father of a toddler, an ecologist by means of Christopher Newport University, a state stormwater inspector for the VADEQ, and an amateur gardener, beekeeper, backpacker, board gamer, handyman, movie critic, music lover, dancer, hunter, and bookworm. I’m happy to serve our OSW neighborhood!