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Vision, Mission, Values

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Vision, Mission, Values

Adopted – June 18, 2025 

VISION

All individuals and families in Greater Lafayette have access to effective pathways out of crisis and poverty, leading to a transformed and flourishing community. 

MISSION

Lafayette Urban Ministry is a lifeline for our neighbors—meeting basic human needs, offering financial assistance, and inspiring hope. 

VALUES 

  • Faith: Our faith is the foundation and guiding force of our work. Compelled by Jesus’ example and inclusive of all beliefs, we serve and uplift all people with empathy, humility, and purpose. 
  • Compassion: Every person has innate dignity and is worthy of kindness, love, and respect. We listen deeply to others, use data to understand community needs, and advocate for just systems that address the root causes of poverty and inequity. 
  • Collaboration: Through strong, cooperative relationships—with one another, churches across  Greater Lafayette, other local agencies, and the broader community—we foster impactful,  sustainable outcomes for those we serve. 
  • Stewardship: We manage and grow our resources wisely to maximize impact, both for individuals and the community as a whole. 
  • Adaptability: We respond to evolving challenges with resilience and grace, ensuring our services remain effective, responsive, and relevant in a changing world.

LUM Inspiration Statement

Honoring the LUM Roots: The Original Mission Statement

The current Vision, Mission, and Values are derived from the LUM Inspiration Statement. The Inspiration statement, written by a team led by LUM executive director emeritus, Jud Dolphin, served as the LUM Mission Statement from 1980 to 2025. It continues to offer inspiration and grounding, reminding all of the core commitment of LUM to restore human dignity, inspire hope, and seek justice for all. 

Poverty is the greatest thief. More than depriving a neighbor of food or shelter or warmth, it steals away hope. While other thieves may take away the past, poverty steals the future and self-respect.

Lafayette Urban Ministry is in the business of restoring human dignity. Through voluntary efforts and contributions we give back the hope, the future, the self-respect, which all God’s people need and deserve.

Ours is a Christian ministry that welcomes congregations and people of all faiths. We give witness to God’s saving love and prophetic power by loving neighbors, seeking justice, empowering the least among us, and renewing the Church’s social ministry.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Lafayette Urban Ministry does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, military status, political association or belief, or union affiliation or activity, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Equality Opportunity Employer

Lafayette Urban Ministry is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, military status, political association or belief, or union affiliation or activity.