Volunteers Needed – LUM Income Tax Assistance Program
Make a difference in your community by becoming a LUM tax volunteer. Volunteers are needed from Saturday, February 2 through Thursday, April 4 for the LUM Tax Assistance Program.
No experience is necessary — and training is provided. You may even qualify for continuing education credits. There are a number of volunteer roles available — click HERE to see descriptions. For tax preparers, some accounting experience is desired. In all tax volunteer roles, individuals who are bilingual, multi-lingual, and have international experience are helpful. As a LUM tax assistance volunteer, you’ll join a program that’s helped millions of people file tax returns at no charge for more than 40 years.
LUM strengthens our community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA, a nationwide IRS program, secures greater financial stability and economic opportunity for working families — and directly impacts OUR community. Your help will make a difference — and have a significant positive impact. If you are interested or need more information please click HERE or call or email Josh Prokopy (765-423-2691 | taxes@lumserve.org).
¿Habla Español? Love Helping Others? Sign up to Volunteer with LUM!
Drivers are needed each weekday afternoon from NOW – May 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Bus drivers must have a valid driver’s license, pass the driver’s test for PPL, have a good driving record, and pass a physical examination.
Volunteers are also needed from 2 to 6 p.m. every weekday—as tutors, story readers, spelling test givers and for helping children in general. To begin the “Easy 4-Step Process” to becoming an After School Program Volunteer, click HERE.
Please consider signing up NOW to volunteer for this important ministry and make a difference in the lives of children. For more information about the LUM After School Program, click HERE or call or email the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (765-423-2691 | khogue@lumserve.org).
Jubilee Christmas Served 640 Local Families & 1,831 Local Children
The 38th annual Lafayette Urban Ministry Jubilee Christmas Program took place this past Saturday (December 8) at 27 different events throughout Lafayette/West Lafayette. Thirty churches along with Sigma Chi Fraternity at Purdue, numerous individuals, businesses and clubs provided gifts of new toys, books, food, and clothing, to parents from 640 local households impacting 1,820 local children.
Jubilee Christmas is designed to let mom and dad be the heroes, rather than providing gifts to children at a large party or having volunteers deliver toys directly to the home. Jubilee Christmas strengthens families by supporting the important role of parents at Christmas time.
On Jubilee Christmas Saturday, parents arrived at their designated Jubilee Christmas site. Greeters welcomed and introduced them to their hosts for the day. Parents then began to select toys, clothing and stocking stuffers for their children. Volunteers helped the parents wrap gifts. Each family also received a food card, homemade Christmas cookies and a holiday ham.
A program of this size is a real benefit to our local retail economy. All the gifts and food for Jubilee Christmas are purchased locally. LUM will also see as a result of this program fewer requests for emergency rent and utility assistance in January and February.
Over $250,000 worth of toys and food were distributed; and it took over 1,200 individual volunteers to make it a success this year.
Jubilee Christmas relies on donations from churches, organizations and individuals for a successful Jubilee Christmas. You can help by donating a cash gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more to Jubilee Christmas.
Ring in the valiant man and free, the larger heartthe kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Dear Friend,
The Christmas poem “Ring Out, Wild Bells” was written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson 168 years ago in England – but it could have just as easily been written in the here and now.
As a child from a large and impoverished family, Tennyson would have seen and experienced first-hand many of the ills of mid-19th century England that he writes about in his poem. His words are a social commentary about the prevailing political climate and inequality of his times.
The poem cries out for social reform. Tennyson longed for the worst aspects of human nature to be corrected – for corruption, political ruthlessness, ambition, class barriers, poverty, and social inequality to be replaced by a more civil, caring, equal and compassionate society.
I think the poem could have been written in the here and now because these are the same longings so many of us hold for our own time and place. It’s why so many of us have chosen to support the work of the Lafayette Urban Ministry. We know that through LUM we are contributing toward a more caring and compassionate community.
A collaboration of 47 local churches, LUM serves as a social safety net for children and families who are experiencing difficult times. During the past year, the Lafayette Urban Ministry served more than 5,100 families through one or another of our 22 programs.
LUM’s Overnight Shelter continues to compassionately serve the chronically homeless in our community. LUM’s shelter and overnight winter warming station will serve more than 900 homeless individuals during 2018.
LUM’s Tax Preparation Programserved 552 low-income workers, returning to them $1 million in tax credits and refunds.
LUM’s Good Samaritan Programserves up to 12 families each day – families that are in the throes of eviction, utility disconnects, health care or transportation emergencies. LUM has aided more than 2,000 such families so far this year.
Ring Out, Wild Bells
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more, Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.
This Saturday (Dec. 8) is the happiest day of the year — Jubilee Christmas! At 27 different events across Tippecanoe County from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., 658 local families will receive Christmas assistance impacting over 1,820 local children. Jubilee Christmas is a special LUM program for families with children ages 12 and under. Participants will attend an event at one of our host sites and select new toys for their children. Each parent is assigned a host who will assist them in shopping and wrapping their gifts. Each family also receives a ham, a food gift card and homemade Christmas cookies to make their Christmas dinner more special.
DONATIONS – Jubilee Christmas relies on donations from churches, organizations and individuals. You can help by donating a cash gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more to Jubilee Christmas. Your cash gift to Jubilee Christmas may be given in honor of a friend or family member — in lieu of a holiday gift. LUM will send a Holiday Card sharing that a donation has been made by you to Jubilee Christmas in their name. Donations of “needed items” are also welcome. See below.
This Saturday (Dec. 8) is the happiest day of the year — Jubilee Christmas! At 27 different events across Tippecanoe County from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., 658 local families will receive Christmas assistance impacting over 1,820 local children. Jubilee Christmas is a special LUM program for families with children ages 12 and under. Participants will attend an event at one of our host sites and select new toys for their children. Each parent is assigned a host who will assist them in shopping and wrapping their gifts. Each family also receives a ham, a food gift card and homemade Christmas cookies to make their Christmas dinner more special.
DONATIONS – Jubilee Christmas relies on donations from churches, organizations and individuals. You can help by donating a cash gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more to Jubilee Christmas. Your cash gift to Jubilee Christmas may be given in honor of a friend or family member — in lieu of a holiday gift. LUM will send a Holiday Card sharing that a donation has been made by you to Jubilee Christmas in their name. Donations of “needed items” are also welcome. See below.
The annual Turkey Trot 5K Run was festive as well as a big success. Turkey Trot attracted a fun bunch willing to arrive before sunrise and run or walk a 5K on a brisk Thanksgiving morning.
Many arrived in costume or wearing a turkey hat, and participated with their entire family including their dogs. Turkey Trot participants shared that they enjoy being able to turn a day of eating into a day of fitness for a great cause. To view the race results, click HERE.
PHOTOS – To view photos from the event, click HERE.
The event was also a successful fundraiser for all of the LUM programs & services offered to local families and children. It is still early but Turkey Trot 2018 is on track to raise over $22,000. Thanks to all of our participants and event sponsors. If you were not able to participate and would like to give, click the donate button below.
Yesterday, Lafayette Urban Ministry hosted the 32nd annual Greater Lafayette Interfaith Community THANKSGIVING Celebration. The event was free, open to the public and included a Thanksgiving feastfrom noon to 2 p.m. Special guests included State Representative Sheila Klinker. There also was live entertainment from Frank Rosenthal,West Lafayette High School Orchestra, Blue Moon Rising and Marty & Caity Quinn. More than 800 meals were served, which included 75 turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls and 112 pies. It was a grand celebration for the community.
PHOTOS – To view photos from the event, click HERE.
Special thanks to First Christian Church for most of the turkeys, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for most of the pies, Central Presbyterian for the beautiful facility. Other major donors were Denny’s Body Shop, Lafayette Auto Supply, Lafayette Retina Clinic, Wabash National, Phronesis, and Soller-Baker Funeral Homes — as well as Great Harvest Bread Company, Jane’s Gourmet Deli & Catering, Kentucky Fried Chicken, MCL Cafeteria & Bakery, McAlister’s Deli, Oliverio’s Southland Restaurant, and Olive Garden for the donations of food & supplies. Additional thanks to the students enrolled at the LUM After School Program, Cumberland Elementary School, St. Boniface School, St. Mary Cathedral School and St. Thomas Aquinas religious education classes for creating all of the table decorations and placemats.
If you’d like to make a donation to offset the expenses of the LUM Greater Lafayette Interfaith Community THANKSGIVING Celebration, click the donate button below.
LUM has immediate openings for Program Aides with the LUM After School Program. Please review the information below — and share with others. Applications will be reviewed as received.
Program Aide – After School Program
This is a part-time (20 hours per week), paid position ($15 per hour), which ends May 21, 2019. Program aides will support the youth programs director and supervise children and the program each weekday, including the transportation of the students to the LUM Youth Center. Successful candidates must complete all LUM and State required training and screenings, have experience working with children in a school setting, and have a valid driver’s license.
If interested—please Email, Mail or Drop-off a resume with cover letter to the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (khogue@lumserve.org | 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901).
LUM has an immediate opening for the Tax Assistance Program Director. Please review the information below — and share with others. Applications will be reviewed as received.
Program Director – Tax Assistance Program
This is a half-time (20 hours per week), paid ($1,429 per month), temporary position, which ends on April 30, 2019. The individual selected will direct the program that provides free federal and state tax preparation for lower wage earners. Successful candidates must pass the online IRS tax preparation certification.
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The annual 
Yesterday, Lafayette Urban Ministry hosted the 32nd annual Greater Lafayette Interfaith 