Chez Hope to lend hand in Iberia

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) has released a statement expressing support for the greater New Iberia community as it weathers the loss of its domestic violence service provider.
Safety Net for Abused Persons (SNAP) announced late last week that they would be closing their shelter and ceasing services.
The Interim Executive Director of the LCADV, Mariah Wineski was optimistic about the ability to meet the needs of survivors of domestic violence in Iberia and St. Martin Parishes.
“We have a strong network of service providers across the state, and neighboring programs have stepped up to ensure that temporary services are provided to survivors in SNAP’s service area,” she said.
Chez Hope, headquartered in St. Mary Parish, has agreed to take all hotline calls and provide outreach services to survivors in Iberia and St. Martin Parishes.
“Chez Hope has confirmed that they can offer domestic violence supportive services in the immediate term, so the community still has a safety net in place while we work to transition other services permanently.” Wineski said.
Wineski said that when a shelter closes, one of the neighboring programs will typically offer services temporarily while stakeholders work to locate a new service provider. According to the coalition, there are rigorous standards for providing domestic violence services which are governed by many state and federal laws. The coalition has offered its assistance to key leaders as they determine next steps for the greater New Iberia area.
Wineski also praised SNAP leadership for their efforts to close the shelter in an organized and ethical manner. “Citizens in the New Iberia area deserve a quality resource for services, support and education as they address the critical issue of domestic violence. We are prepared to offer them training, support and any technical assistance necessary as they transition to a new service provider.”
Domestic violence survivors in Iberia and St. Martin Parishes seeking shelter, temporary restraining orders or other supportive services should call the statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-888¬411-1333. All services at LCADV member programs are free and confidential.
Chez Hope was established in 1983 to address the needs of domestic violence victims in the rural parishes of Louisiana. For three decades, Chez Hope has enmeshed into the communities as a viable and comprehensive program. Chez Hope currently serves St. Mary, Assumption and while not funded to do so has served lower St. Martin Parish for many years.
Chez Hope’s current services include a 2- hour crisis line, a 15-bed emergency shelter program for victims needing immediate safety, crisis intervention, lethality assessment, provision of individual safety planning, intense on-going case management, an alternative shelter program for victims out of immediate danger but still requiring shelter, a weekly comprehensive children’s program with age appropriate groups, a weekly victim support group, a legal advocate program, a non-residential program, dducatonal school presentations for K-12 students and a volunteer program.
With the closure of SNAP in New Iberia Chez Hope has devised a plan of service delivery to match that of St. Mary. The organization will offer an office in New Iberia with an outreach office in Jeanerette.
There will be an office in St. Martinville as well as continuing to service the Stephensville area out of the St. Mary Office. Chez Hope will begin the search for a facility suitable to become an emergency shelter to service the victims of Iberia and St. Martin Parishes within the grant year. Chez Hope can currently shelter up to eight families in the St. Mary shelter. The organization will have a system to house survivors in hotels until shelter can be secured in a sister program.
Chez Hope intends to form similar collaborative partnerships in Iberia and St. Martin Parish to mirror those in St. Mary Parish such as the sheriff’s department, local law enforcement agencies 16th Judicial District Court.
Chez Hope already has a solid relationship with district court and has done some work with the sheriff department. The organization will reach out to local social service agencies as well as the state Department of Children and Family Services. Making friends with the local buisness community is a must to increase monetary donations and increase public awareness of Chez Hope’s rresence in Iberia and St. Martin Parish.
While St. Martin Parish is quite unique geographically, Chez Hope officials believe having a history of already serving lower St. Martin Parish will make it easier to offer services and form relationships in upper St. Martin Parish. The goal at Chez Hope is to have a unified 16th Judicial District Court that will offer optimum services to victims of Domestic violence throughout St. Mary, Iberia and St. Martin parishes.
There will be a legal advocate in New Iberia in donated office space in the Clerk of Courts office until funding is secured to open an office in Iberia. An office has already been chosen and the organization is awaiting funding.
Chez Hope will have donated office space in St. Martinville beginning March 15 in the St. Martinville Police Department until funding is secured. There will be a legal advocate in that office.
Services currently offered to survivors and the community include:
—Access to the 24-hour emergency shelter in St. Mary Parish (assistance in locating alternative shelter if Chez Hope shelter is full.)
—24-hour crisis line that is answered in house by trained advocates.
—Emergency crisis management.
—Face-to-face intakes.
—Assistance in obtaining community resources (food stamps, child support, rental assistance, utility assistance, food assistance and clothing assistance.)
—Assistance with understanding the process of and writing temporary restraining orders.
—Court accompaniment and advocacy.
—Law enforcement advocacy.
—Chez Hope has three comprehensive in-school presentations that provide for K-12 grades (Hands Are Not for Hitting, Bully Free Kids and Teen Dating Violence.
—Support Groups for women and Children.
Chez Hope is currently able to shelter eight families in a unique shelter setting of non- communal living. Families can reside there for up to six weeks where all of their basic living needs are supplied. While living in shelter advocates work with victims on their goals and starting life over free from abuse. We assist with information on Jobs, housing, and other needs that someone starting their life over may need. There are also daily support groups available.
The children are also assisted with getting started in a new school if that is needed, daily tutoring and play groups as well.