PINEVILLE, La – Today, Cleco awarded Hope for Opelousas a $60,000 grant to continue its mission of serving students in first through 12^th grades through tutoring programs, enrichment opportunities, employment, mentoring and community service projects. 

“Hope for Opelousas is entering its ninth year of service in the city of Opelousas, and Cleco has been a supporter since the very beginning,” said Bill Fontenot, interim CEO of Cleco Power.  “We understand that an investment in our children is an investment in not only their future but also in our future workforce.”

“As Hope for Opelousas plans for the future, we look at not only the sustainability of our programs, but enriching the services we provide,” said Loren Carriere, Hope for Opelousas executive director.  “With Cleco funds, we are excited to grow our programming by 25 students in 2018. With this growth we will now serve 100 students and their families with our wrap around programming.”

Cleco has a long history of philanthropic involvement across its 24-parish service territory.  In 2017, Cleco contributed nearly $1 million to non-profit organizations across the state. 

“We are proud to support the life changing work these agencies are doing to benefit our customers and communities,” said Fontenot.