SNAP stands ready to help those in unsafe domestic situations

Published 6:00 am Monday, December 5, 2016

“Are you safe?” is not the typical greeting for a telephone call, but it is the standard reply when dialing 367-7627 (367-SNAP), because a person’s safety is paramount to Safety Net for Abused Persons of New Iberia.

“Louisiana is now ranked number two (in the nation) for domestic violence. We were number four last year,” Michelle Vital, executive director of SNAP in New Iberia. “Louisiana is the only state that has consistently been in the top five for more years than I want to count. So, we still have some work to do.”

SNAP workers operate around the clock. There is always someone available to answer the phone line to help those who find themselves in unsafe situations with their partners.

“We are never shut down,” Vital said.

Running an organization like SNAP 24 hours a day, 365 days a year requires a good deal of funding.

SNAP is one of nine organizations chosen by The Daily Iberian for its annual Help the Helpers program. The initiative aims to provide financial assistance to local agencies that help the poor and needy during the holiday season.

Vital said SNAP of New Iberia is funded through several different federal grants and any monetary donations that come in.  

“It doesn’t matter how big or how small. All those little donations add up and they help more than people ever think they do,” Vital said of the monetary donations. “Fifty dollars is a lot when you have people coming through here and needing things. Your light bill is $200? Our light bill is usually four times that.”

SNAP of New Iberia does not just house women and children in need of a safe place to stay.

“We do the paperwork for a protective (restraining) order. We do support groups for women and children.  We now do life skills training here to help women in that transition. Soon, we will offer financial empowerment training,” Vital said. “That’s where we come in, helping them to get on the right track, helping them to become self-sufficient.”

SNAP of New Iberia relies heavily on donations from the community to help them to keep functioning as a safe haven.

“Be aware of SNAP.  Do not be silent about domestic violence.  You can call about others,” Vital said. “Some women just don’t know who to call. All they have to do is pick up the phone.”

Donations can be made by delivering them to The Daily Iberian’s office at the corner of East Main and Lewis streets or by mailing them to Help the Helpers, The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia, LA 70562.