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Love Changes Everything

Loren Carriere | Executive Director

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Loren has been a part of the Hope for Opelousas family since 2008, and considers HFO to be his joy and calling. He enjoys the many varying roles of Executive Director, which include leading and encouraging the staff, pouring into the lives of the students, and sharing about the good work HFO is doing.

Loren believes deeply that the real change for our students’ lives will only come from knowing God, “whose love is the thing we search for in so many places but we will only find in His arms. Sharing and living this good news is the only song my life can sing!”

Loren is a self-proclaimed optimist, and his passion and fervor for life is evident in all that he does. Outside of HFO, Loren can be found spending quality time with his wife, Tory, and their four children. A graduate of the University of Louisiana, Loren’s interests bounce from hiking and canoeing to meeting new people, and enjoying great coffee.

Loren has channeled his work at HFO to include community-wide development efforts. He has served in local churches and is a past chair of the St. Landry Parish Chamber of Commerce.  He has been recognized statewide as a 2016 Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation Angel for his work with Opelousas youth, was awarded the Our Lady of Lourdes Franciscan Medal of Honor in 2015, and in 2019 received Father of the Year Honoree by 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette and the Louisiana Youth Seminar’s Life Achievement Award.

 

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Kristina Anderson | Administrative Director

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Kristina serves as Administrative Director, and has been on the Hope for Opelousas team since 2010. In addition to working with high school students during tutoring hours, Kristina handles the administrative side of ministry, managing finances and general operations of Hope for Opelousas. She also plans and handles the logistics of the students’ adventure programs.

One of Kristina’s favorite parts of her job is getting to take the students to do and see things they have never seen before and spend time with them as they persist through the adversity that they face on the trail. Kristina has always enjoyed working with kids, and takes great joy in watching them succeed.

 A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Kristina earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northwestern College(IA) and a Master’s degree in Higher Education from Geneva College. She then went on to work as a Resident Director at Bryan College for three years. After many short term mission trips with Bryan College to work with HFO, Kristina moved to Opelousas full time in 2010. After working and living in Louisiana, she has come to know Opelousas as home.  When she is not working you can find her traveling, crocheting, spending time with friends, or watching the Green Bay Packers.  

My hope is that our kids would come to know themselves as God's children. That is primary. I would also love to see them have a true love of learning and to seek to be challenged and grow in all areas of their lives. - Kristina

Tevin Duhon | High School Director

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Jonathan Fisher | Jr. High Director

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​Jonathan serves as the Elementary Director for Hope for Opelousas. After admiring HFO and its work as a member of the Opelousas community, Jonathan was excited to join the team in 2013.

Jonathan is a ULL graduate and an avid outdoorsman. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his son Bennett.

In his role as Elementary Director, Jonathan ensures that HFO is as effective as possible in impacting the lives of elementary-aged children. From ensuring the facilities are in tip top shape, to keeping a watchful eye on each student’s progress, Jonathan makes it his mission to help children reach their fullest potential in life.

Jonathan’s very own Hope for Opelousas, in his own words:

“I wish to help them believe that they have a future. I want them to realize that they can become someone, that they can become a doctor, lawyer, police officer, or whoever they choose to be. They need to realize that while it won't be easy, it will be worth it!”

Kelly Babineaux-Leday | Elementary Director

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Kelly’s life is a work of art! As a lifelong resident of Opelousas & mother of HFO students, Kelly has experienced firsthand HFO’s impact. And now she is paying it forward. One of her biggest strengths is the artistic eye that she brings to every- thing she does in the classroom & around our campus. Kelly is also skilled at motivating parents & connecting with students. This skill set can’t be taught, but is learned & earned by man- aging relationships with grace & wisdom.

 

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Loren Carriere | Executive Director

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Loren has been a part of the Hope for Opelousas family since 2008, and considers HFO to be his joy and calling. He enjoys the many varying roles of Executive Director, which include leading and encouraging the staff, pouring into the lives of the students, and sharing about the good work HFO is doing.

Loren believes deeply that the real change for our students’ lives will only come from knowing God, “whose love is the thing we search for in so many places but we will only find in His arms. Sharing and living this good news is the only song my life can sing!”

Loren is a self-proclaimed optimist, and his passion and fervor for life is evident in all that he does. Outside of HFO, Loren can be found spending quality time with his wife, Tory, and their four children. A graduate of the University of Louisiana, Loren’s interests bounce from hiking and canoeing to meeting new people, and enjoying great coffee.

Loren has channeled his work at HFO to include community-wide development efforts. He has served in local churches and is a past chair of the St. Landry Parish Chamber of Commerce.  He has been recognized statewide as a 2016 Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation Angel for his work with Opelousas youth, was awarded the Our Lady of Lourdes Franciscan Medal of Honor in 2015, and in 2019 received Father of the Year Honoree by 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette and the Louisiana Youth Seminar’s Life Achievement Award.

 

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