Loren Carriere, Life Achievement Awardee 2019

Loren Carriere was born and raised in Opelousas, LA. 

 Loren was a 1999 graduate of Beau Chene high school, but his loving family and large support system did not protect him from the struggles many of our youth face.  At a young age he found himself in jail and addicted to drugs. There, at his lowest point, he called out for help, finding love and forgiveness from people he will frankly say, “should not have helped him.”  In this recovery Loren found the love of Christ, went to college, and put down roots in Opelousas.

 Loren took this new start as an opportunity to finish with a degree in General Studies at the University of Louisiana in 2005 where he was named the Outstanding Graduate of his class. Following graduation, he channeled his passions for ministry, the outdoors, youth, and his hometown into Hope for Opelousas.   

 Since co-founding Hope for Opelousas (HFO) in 2008, Loren has grown the program from 12 students in the 4-8th grades to a vibrant community partner and a philanthropic example throughout Acadiana. He leads a committed staff that are there for the kids and families of Opelousas children. Eleven years later HFO has grown to serve 100 kids in 1st-12th grades. 

 What is unique about Loren’s ability to connect with and make such an impact on a young person’s life is his belief in the premise that “Love Changes Everything.”  Like the unconditional love of a parent, Loren and his staff work with each individual child and their family. Loren loves Opelousas and works every day to make it a better place for his four children and for his HFO kids as well.  

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 June of 2019 was selected as a Father of the Year Honoree by 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette.

Loren and his wife Tory and their four children, Ivy, Autumn, Loren Jr., and Jesse live near Opelousas Junior High and are renovating an old house built in 1920’s and they plan to impact Opelousas for many years to come.