Heather Treat brings a heart for children, education, and ministry to her role as Junior High Director at Hope for Opelousas. A 2018 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Heather earned her degree in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. Her career began in daycare and after-school programs before she went on to teach second and third grade and later serve as a Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry.

Through those experiences, Heather came to recognize working with young people as a calling. When the opportunity arose to join Hope for Opelousas, she immediately connected with HFO’s mission and the impact the organization has on young people in the community.

Heather is especially passionate about building relationships with students and creating an environment where they know they are understood, valued, and loved. She hopes to help students grow in resilience, faith, and confidence, encouraging them to remain kind and strong even when life is difficult.

Heather and her husband have children, and outside of HFO she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, antiquing, reading, traveling, and caring for her cats and chickens. An LSU fan and gumbo enthusiast, Heather can also recite all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 30 seconds.