Faith House offers thanks to Vermilion Parish law enforcement with ‘Kisses for Cops’

Those with Faith House, a nonprofit organization that helps victims of domestic violence and their children, appreciate all the help they receive throughout the year in regard to their mission.
That includes help from law enforcement agencies. They showed that appreciation Wednesday morning.
With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, representatives of Faith House traveled Vermilion Parish, visiting the various law enforcement agencies. Trisha Jones and Cindy Triche presented the agencies with Hershey’s Kisses candies. The program is called “Kisses for Cops.” The gesture is made on behalf of the children, where Faith House presents the department with a bowl of Hershey’s kisses.
“We started a ‘Thank You’ campaign to show our appreciation to officers for serving and protecting women and children affected by domestic violence,” Jones said. “The children of Faith House also made cards for the officers to thank them for saving their mom and keeping them safe from their abusive dad.
Faith House workers visited the Abbeville Police Department, Kaplan Police Department, Gueydan Police Department, Maurice Police Department, Erath Police Department, and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Department.
Vermilion Parish Sheriff Michael Couvillon said he appreciates the gesture, as well as his offices’ relationship with Faith House.
“We work well with Faith House,” Couvillon said. “We definitely support them.”
The appreciation for Faith House shone through in Kaplan.
“This year Kaplan Police Department decided to do things a little different,” Jones said.  “The Kaplan Police Department decided to do ‘Kisses FROM cops’ and presented Faith House workers with a beautiful bowl of Hershey’s kisses, in appreciation for all Faith House does to help survivors of Domestic Violence and their children.”
Faith House also presented other offices in the parish with candy.
“We also brought candy to the DA’s Office, Clerk of Court and Judges and other agencies in our community for all the hard work they do,” Jones said.  “Also we would like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to all in the community who support Faith House.”
The reason is simple.
“We could not do this work without the support of our community,” Jones said.
For residents and their children,  Faith House provides safe housing, food, clothing, health screening and support, medication and other physical needs; referrals to and advocacy with community resources; group and individual counseling; legal assistance; and a children’s program.  Women may stay forty-five days, with extensions possible on a case-by- case basis.
For the non-residential clients, Faith House provides peer counseling; legal assistance; advocacy and referrals.  Outreach offices in Vermilion, St. Landry, Acadia, Evangeline, Rapides and Avoyelles  parishes provide non-residential services.  The  Vermilion parish outreach office of Faith House, services between 50 to 60 women a month and 75 to 100 children a month.  We have also provided services to one male victim since January 2013.
Through June 2013, 191 residents checked into our shelter and provided 6,452 nights of shelter.  Women and children were provided 2,224 nights of shelter at the Faith House Transitional Housing program and 6,516 nights of shelter through our Permanent Supportive Housing program.  Non-residential services were provided to 564 women, 18 men, and 150 children.  The staff answered information/crisis/counseling 6,775 calls during the same period.
Faith House receives funding from the Department of Child and Family services, United Way of Acadiana, United Way of St. Landry, Federal & State governments, the Lafayette Consolidated Government, the Lousiana Commission on Law Enforcement, the Louisiana Bar Foundation, Private Foundations, individuals, businesses and groups from the community.
“No one deserves to be abused,” Jones said. “All of our services are confidential and free of charge
“This month we would like to bring awareness to the community to let people know that there is help out there.”
To learn more about our services or ways you can help Faith House please call 337-893-3033 for more information.