Domestic Violence Services In Shreveport, LA

A hot topic in the Shreveport/Bossier City area this week has been domestic violence and shelters for women and children looking for respite.

With the Providence House program shelter program ending soon, plans have been made to transfer services to Project Celebration in Many, LA which was recently awarded funding from the state. While I'm sure Project Celebration is a wonderful program, what happens to women in the Shreveport area with out the means to travel to Many. I have a lot of questions and it seems as if I'm not the only one. One thing am I certain of though is that all of these programs (Providence House, the YWCA and Project Celebration) have the best of intentions and are working to put their clients first. For more on the history of this story, check out News Radio 710 KEEL and read below for the press release from the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Optimistic About Shreveport Service Provider
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) today expressed support for a transition in domestic violence services in the Shreveport area. The current provider of domestic violence services, Providence House, announced last month that they would cease to operate those services as of June 30th this year. The Department of Child and Family Services announced earlier this week that a new provider, Project Celebration, had been named to assume those services as of July 1.
The Executive Director of the coalition, Beth Meeks, was optimistic about the change, “We are very happy about this news. Project Celebration is widely recognized as a high quality domestic violence program.” Project Celebration is well known in Shreveport as they are the sexual assault service provider for the region and already have an office in Shreveport.
Meeks says that currently the leaders of Project Celebration and Providence House are working closely together, daily, to make determinations about staffing, facility useage and various logistical issues necessary for the transition. “Many decisions have to be made in a very short time frame and we know that the leaders of both organizations are working practically around the clock to make the transition happen.”
Program leaders, city leaders, representatives of DCFS and the coalition have been meeting regularly to update progress and offer technical assistance when necessary. “Mayor Glover’s Office has been instrumental and should be commended for the unparalleled support they have given to this process.” said Meeks.
Anyone wishing to access services in the Shreveport are should feel comfortable calling the statewide hotline (1-888-411-1333) or the local hotline (318-226-5015) as neither will experience any interruptions or delays.
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The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) is a state wide network of battered women’s programs, other organizations and individuals who share the goal of ending violence against women and children in Louisiana. LCADV empowers its members through advocacy, education, resource development and technical assistance.