The St. Martin, Iberia, Lafayette Community Action Agency, Inc., or SMILE (as it is widely known by its popular acronym), serves as the primary provider of social services in a tri-parish region. Chartered as a 501 (c)(3), tax-exempt corporation in 1968, the Agency is headquartered in Lafayette. This year, the Agency celebrates its 44th anniversary.
The Agency’s motto, "People Helping People," stems from the Economic Opportunity Act’s goal to uplift the nation’s disadvantaged, and to assist them in obtaining self-sufficiency.
The Agency includes parish Community Action Centers, or CACs, which provide a vast array of supportive services to promote independent living. Through case management, the Agency assists the disadvantaged to become more self-sufficient.
Agency Management
SMILE operates under the administration of Executive Director Alvin Wiltz. He oversees a managerial staff that includes the Director of Field Operations, Director of Finance, Director of Human Resources, Director of Head Start/Early Head Start, Director of Grants/Communications and the Equal Opportunity Officer. Most of these directors, in turn, supervise staff members who oversee various departments.
In-service training is a vital part of the Agency’s operations. The Agency encourages its employees to attend local, state and national conferences to stay abreast of issues and trends affecting their departments and services. The Agency’s programmatic staff possesses the experience and capabilities necessary to operate programs within the prescribed guidelines and regulations.
The Agency has an accounting system in place, and conducts an annual audit. It also practices non-discrimination.
SMILE is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, representing a cross-section of the public, private and low-income sectors of St. Martin, Iberia and Lafayette Parishes. The volunteer Board serves as the legal entity of the organization, and is committed to its success. The Agency's Head Start Policy Council serves as a governing body for the Agency's Head Start/Early Head Start.
Networking with Agencies/Organizations
Collaboration has always been an intricate part of the Agency. Not only does the Agency collaborate with other vital organizations, but it has also been instrumental in the development of important programs in the region, including the Council on Aging and Meals-on-Wheels. SMILE has also assisted agencies in their start-up efforts, including 232-HELP. The Agency was also instrumental in the creation of ARCH (Acadiana Regional Coalition on Homelessness and Housing), and served as a founding member.
The Agency also collaborates with the La. Workforce Commission (former La. Department of Labor) as a One-Stop partner, thus providing access to employment opportunities and job readiness skills through the Work Investment Act.
SMILE works diligently to develop positive, committed relationships with all community groups. The Agency would not have been able to survive without the collaboration and support of social service organizations, public agencies, local and parish governments, religious and civic groups, and community residents. Networking with these groups, as well as with others, ensures its continuous success.