Resource Type: Homeless Shelter

Faith House

Emergency shelter is available in Lafayette for victims of domestic violence and their children needing a safe, temporary place to live. As a resident of Faith House, we provide you with physical necessities, DV counseling, advocacy and referrals.

Faith House´s shelter has nine bedrooms, each has five beds and a bathroom that adjoins two bedrooms, a shared dining room and living room. The kitchen aide cooks dinner three days a week for the residents. Survivors also have access to the pantry and refrigerator to cook meals for their families. Laundry facilities are available onsite for residents.

A playroom is available for children to enjoy. The playroom is staffed with children’s advocates to oversee the children while playing and provide advocacy. Special events are planned to enhance the child’s experience.

Faith House has three survivor advocates and a legal advocate available to speak with survivors on a daily basis and to help set and work on their goals.  Our advocates are trained in many areas of domestic violence including: safety planning, lethality assessments, the dynamics of domestic violence and the effects of trauma.

Support groups are offered Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Thursdays at 5:30 pm.

•    Transitional Housing
Through the transitional housing program, individuals will have the opportunity to complete their education or enhance their work skills which will enable them to escape from poverty and obtain permanent housing.

•    Case management
Case Management will be provided for all residents of the transitional housing program. This service will comprise goal planning sessions, goal plan review sessions, referral services, assisting residents with accessing mainstream programs and safety planning. Case managers will meet with survivors 2-3 times each week.

Economic empowerment classes are available in finance and budgeting to assist survivors.

•    Permanent Supportive Housing
The Permanent Supportive Housing Program provides rental assistance to survivors with disabilities in Lafayette parish. Twelve units are currently supported in this program.

Family Promise

The Family Promise network is an organization providing shelter, meals and comprehensive support to families without homes. It was founded in New Jersey in 1986, and now has programs in most states across the country. The network has more than 115,000 volunteers from over 5,000 congregations of all denominations nationwide, who have worked together in providing homeless families with hospitality, support and basic needs. Family Promise volunteers have helped make a difference in over 130,000 lives nationwide by helping homeless families get back on their feet.

SMILE Transitional Housing

GET TO KNOW US BETTER

Many people don’t realize that the word “SMILE” stands for the three parishes – St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayette – that the Community Action Agency serves in south central Louisiana. The “E” is added to make the acronym that has served as a symbol of hope to those in need.

 

The St. Martin, Iberia, Lafayette Community Action Agency – or SMILE Community Action Agency – or just SMILE – is part of a legacy that dates back to the 1960s. That’s when President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs were enacted, resulting in the creation of community action agencies nationwide.

 

The Agency’s community action motto, “People Helping People,” rings across the land, just like it does here in the heart of a region known internationally for its rich culture and traditions. While its spicy cuisine and zydeco music are popular ingredients that draw in tourists, the tri-parish region has had its woes of economic hardships and socioeconomic ills. And yet, SMILE remains the tri-parish’s leading anti-poverty agency – dedicated to making a difference – dedicated to making people “smile” in St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayette Parishes.

 

St. Joseph’s Shelter for Men

St. Joseph Shelter for Men provides emergency shelter for up to 32 homeless men in a dormitory setting per night. Residents participate in case management where they are assisted with obtaining employment, applying for mainstream benefits and obtaining permanent housing.