Our Team.

A native New Orleanian, Kenitha began volunteering with Lantern Light in 2009 after meeting Sr. Enid Storey at St. Peter Claver Church. She volunteered with Lantern Light while working on her Master’s Degree in Social Work after leaving a ten year career in Advertising and Public Relations. Several years later, she increased her volunteer time with the organization and was asked to join the staff as a Social Worker in 2013. Kenitha’s responsibilities have included obtaining ID’s and birth certificates, assisting with the food bank program and coordinating the notary services. She also resumed the food stamp application service after Second Harvest discontinued the program at the Rebuild Center, added services to apply for Medicaid, Child Care and Permanent Residency Cards, as well as expanding the employment assistance program. Kenitha is truly grateful for the opportunity to continue what she believes is a remarkable ministry for the homeless and less fortunate of New Orleans and knows that her work with Lantern Light has enabled her to fulfill her true calling, which is to serve.

A native New Orleanian, Monique began at Lantern Light in 2019. She received a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans in 2018 and Although it’s been a little over a year, Monique has truly found a level of comfort in working at Lantern Light. As a social worker who has only been in the industry for a few years, Monique’s knowledge in the field of social work, coupled with a passion for helping others, has been a true asset to our agency and the people we serve. When asked why she chose to be a social worker, Monique responded “I didn’t choose Social Work, Social Work chose me.” Whether it was helping family, friends, strangers with their challenges with mental illness, some sort of addiction, and/or life crises, she was the go to person. Reared in a family of service and love for mankind, Monique grew fond of working with those challenged with mental illness and/or addiction within the homeless population. After working in the hospitality industry for almost 15 years, Monique realized that she hated serving people and was much better at helping people! Helping people has been something Monique has always done and excelled in. Though working within the social work field is quite challenging and requires hard work at times, it doesn’t feel like much work because Monique loves what she does.

A native of the state of New York, Beth spent 30 exciting and rewarding years at Corning, Inc. where she worked in research and development. In 2014, she needed to escape the upstate New York winter and decided to come to New Orleans for 3 months. After spending the first weeks doing essentially noting but eating, it became obvious to her that she needed to do something more productive. As luck would have it, an acquaintance in the city knew one of Lantern Light’s volunteers and the rest is history. She met David Hardin and Sisters Vera and Enid, and was immediately sold on the Lantern Light Ministry. Beth currently serves as the Kitchen Coordinator and states that, “after working here for only a few months I can’t praise the volunteers and staff of Lantern Light enough. Their hard work, commitment, and friendliness are amazing and so much appreciated.

A native New Orleanian, Donna joined Lantern Light Ministry in 2009 after meeting Sr. Enid at St. Peter Claver Church. She worked for the city of New Orleans for 35 ½ years in Safety and Permits and the last 15 years were spent in the Electrical Department. She retired in May 2014 and decided she would extend her hours with the ministry due to the retirement of Sr. Anna. As a result, Donna became the Volunteer Coordinator of the agency’s Food pantry and contact for the Second Harvest Food Bank program. She always finds a way to give her time and talents in other areas as well. Donna states, “My experience at Lantern Light has helped me more than the guests. When I leave I often reflect on how truly grateful I am for my life. I am thankful that I have an opportunity to bless others.”

A native New Orleanian and parishioner of our partner St. Joseph Catholic Church, Learlee joined Lantern Light Ministry in 2013 as a volunteer with our Food Program and Mail service. She worked for the Criminal District Court for 37 years, where she was a supervisor of the Magistrate Section, which included the Bond Department, General Docket Section, and Pre-Trial Court. She retired in 2010 and after lending her time at a local school, she decided she would volunteer at the Ministry that she would see each time she went to church. When our former Mail Coordinator, Brother Charles Avendano, was transferred to California, Lear happily accepted an opportunity to continue the program that has been so vital to many of our guests. She maintained the mail for two years until she decided she needed a change of pace. However, when her replacement advanced to another profession, Lear quickly answered the call to serve again. Lear shares, “Although it can be overwhelming to keep up with the hundreds of guests that receive their mail with Lantern Light, I understand the importance of it and enjoy it immensely.”

A native New Orleanian, Gaylyn started volunteering at Lantern Light with our Food Program after meeting Sr. Anna Raimon, our former Food Bank Coordinator in 2012. Gaylyn worked in the government arena For 45 years in various agencies including the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Courts. Her volunteer efforts began in the kitchen where she washed dishes before and after we served lunch. When Sr. Dolores Cooney, the coordinator of our Art program transitioned back to England around 2014, Gaylyn along with two other volunteers graciously stepped in to keep the program going. Since that time, Gaylyn has been a mainstay with our organization and continues to help our guests share their love for art every week. Through funds provided by the Ministry, Galyln purchases various craft items such as coloring books, paints, drawing paper, and seasonal items that guests can use to create something that is an expression of what they might be feeling at that particular time. Gaylyn says that she is inspired by the attitude of our guests. “Some are struggling with mental issues or addictions, but for the most part, they are pleasant and grateful for the time they spend creating at the art tables. There is camaraderie among them, a sense of family at Lantern Light, a place where they can gather and feel safe. I am honored to be a volunteer at Lantern Light. I always leave there happier than when I arrived.”