Coming Full Circle: Hope Alumni Pouring Back the Love That Changed Everything
When Kelsey Smith walks through the campus of Hope for Opelousas, she’s not just the Upper Elementary Director, but she’s walking through the same houses where she grew up, laughed, and was poured into as a young student. These days, she’s on a mission to bring that same love full circle by rallying alumni to reconnect, give back, and remind the next generation of kids at Hope that they are seen, known, and cared for.
“Alumni are always saying they want to do things, get together, and give back,” Kelsey excitedly shared. “The part I’m stepping into now is making it happen.”
A glimpse of this vision has already come to life through alumni gatherings, such as a football watch party to cheer on Buffalo Bills wide receiver and fellow Hope alum Keon Coleman. “That was a really fun event,” Kelsey shared. “But that’s just one example. Alumni have already been showing up in different ways, and I’m dreaming up even more exciting opportunities for us to come together.”
For Kelsey, it’s not just about the events. It’s about the memories. She remembers block parties at Hope’s campus with Mr. Loren in the dunk tank, kids running around, the whole neighborhood alive with laughter. “Those moments are embedded in my heart,” she shared. “That’s what drives me to create more memories for alumni and students now.”
Her biggest hope is that alumni will pour back into the program in the same way Loren and Kristina once poured into her. “Only alumni know what it felt like to be one of these kids,” Kelsey said.
“We know the joy Hope brought us, and we know firsthand what it’s like to grow up in Opelousas. That makes us uniquely equipped to give back.”
For Ariel Charles, Hope was nothing short of life-changing. She still remembers when Loren was recruiting in her neighborhood, encouraging kids and families to join the brand-new program. Her aunt nudged her to sign up, and soon Ariel and her brother were part of the Hope family.
At Hope, they both experienced things they never imagined, like traveling to new states, meeting new people, and building friendships that felt like family. “Loren and Kristina were strong mentors for me,” Ariel said. “They changed my outlook on life and how I approach things. They made me feel heard, seen, and cared for.”
Now, Ariel’s own daughter and little sister are in the program, continuing the legacy. “I love seeing them experience all that Hope has to offer,” she said. “ I’d also love to see more alumni and students coming together to fellowship. Alumni can create that same space of love and encouragement that meant so much to us.”
“You never know what long-term impact your words might have on these kids.”
– Bruce Mayo
For Bruce Mayo, being an Agent of Hope was one of the most rewarding parts of growing up at Hope. “I got to watch the people I grew up with grow into who they are now as adults,” he said. He recalls trips to LSU games, team builders, and his favorite memory, playing a competitive game of “Gotcha” with Mr. Loren and the students.
Mentors like Mr. Loren and Mr. Fisher helped him find confidence and direction. In fact, Loren was the first person Bruce called for a reference during a tech internship in California.
Today, Bruce often drops by when picking up his nephew from the program. He hopes to share his passion for graphic design and drawing with current students. “When I was an Agent of Hope, someone came to talk to us about finances and college. Something he said stuck with me: ‘You see all the cool kids now. Let’s see if they’re still cool when they’re 50.’ That gave me hope for my future, and it reminded me that I still had room to dream and grow after high school. You never know what impact your words might have on these kids.”
A Homecoming Invitation
Kelsey knows not every alum can commit a grand amount of time, but she believes even small acts of giving back make a big difference. Whether it’s volunteering, coaching, mentoring, or simply showing up at an alumni gathering, every moment matters.
“God gave us all unique gifts for a reason,” she said. “They’re meant to be shared. Alumni have the chance to be the people these kids need, and no one else can give the kind of encouragement we can.”
As alumni step back onto campus, they’ll discover something powerful: the same love they once received is waiting to flow through them to the next generation.
And in that full circle, Hope lives on.