Volunteer Spotlight – Álvaro Málaga Olay
A Journey from Spain to Purdue
Lafayette Urban Ministry is proud to celebrate Álvaro Málaga Olay as the LUM Volunteer Spotlight. A Purdue University graduate student whose faith, compassion, and commitment to service have made a lasting impact on our community.
Originally from Madrid, Spain, Álvaro attended high school in Barcelona before coming to Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and recently completed a research-based Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. His graduate research focused on gas turbine aerothermodynamics for propulsion and clean power generation applications. Following graduation, he will return to Madrid to begin a career as a management consultant with KPMG’s Strategy team.
Outside of work and volunteering, Álvaro enjoys golf, tennis, pickleball, boating, and spending time with friends and family, including his parents and younger sister, María.
Serving Through Faith and Community
For the past two years, Álvaro has volunteered with LUM through Food Rescue and Homeless Services. A parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue, he views volunteering as an extension of his faith.
“LUM provides a tangible way to put faith into action,” Álvaro explains. “Whether I am helping with food rescue or serving at the shelter, I am reminded that small acts of service can have a real impact on another person’s life.”
What he values most about volunteering is the opportunity to be part of a community that has become his own — one dedicated to serving others with generosity, compassion, and humility.
Lessons Learned Through Volunteering
Through his volunteer experiences at LUM, Álvaro has gained a deeper appreciation for the dignity and worth of every person and the importance of meeting people with respect rather than judgment.
“One of the greatest lessons I have learned through LUM is that every person has inherent dignity and a story worth knowing,” he says. “It is easy to make assumptions about people who are struggling; it is much harder—and much more rewarding—to meet them with compassion, humility, respect, and love.”
Álvaro encourages others to volunteer because of the difference it makes not only in the lives of those being served, but also in the lives of those serving. Volunteering has broadened his perspectives, deepened his gratitude, and created meaningful connections for him within the community.
“Service is never a one-way exchange,” he reflects. “We may volunteer to give our time and talents, but we often receive just as much in return: gratitude, perspective, friendship, and a renewed appreciation for the dignity and worth of every person.”
A Lasting Impact
As he prepares to return to Spain, Álvaro leaves behind a legacy of faithful service and a reminder that meaningful change often begins when people choose to show up and help. LUM is deeply grateful for his contributions and friendship and wishes him every success in the next chapter of his journey.
Join the Movement
LUM is grateful for volunteers like Álvaro Málaga Olay, whose energy, thoughtfulness, and hospitality help ensure our neighbors have access to the food and support they need. Inspired by Álvaro? Join him and hundreds of other volunteers at Lafayette Urban Ministry—and help make a difference today.