LUM Staff Spotlight – Monica V.
Welcoming Monica Ventureno to Lafayette Urban Ministry
A New Face at the Front Desk
Lafayette Urban Ministry is pleased to welcome Monica Ventureno as our new Front-Desk Receptionist. In this important role—often the first point of contact for visitors, guests, and community members—Monica brings a calm presence, professional experience, and a genuine heart for service that is already strengthening the welcoming environment at LUM.
Family at the Center
Monica’s journey to Lafayette began in South Central Los Angeles, California, where she was raised and attended Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, CA. In 1997, she and her family relocated to Lafayette in search of new opportunities and a better life for their children. That decision became a defining chapter in a life shaped by resilience, family, and a commitment to helping others.
Family remains at the center of Monica’s life. She has been married for 35 years to her high school sweetheart, and together they built a close-knit family that includes three children—April, Joel, and James—and five grandchildren: Cassius (12), Giannis (4), twins Isaiah and Daniel (16 months), and Lidia (7). Her family is her greatest joy and her constant source of inspiration.
Monica credits her mother as her greatest inspiration, especially for the lifelong lesson of maintaining a positive attitude through all circumstances and continuing to grow no matter the challenges. That outlook is evident in the way she approaches both her work and her relationships.
A Heart for Service & Hospitality
Monica brings strong customer service and front-end operations experience as a front-end retail coordinator, where she ranks among the top 25 performers in her region for sales. This background reflects her strong communication skills, attention to detail, and commitment to creating welcoming experiences. She also has a foundation in healthcare and safety, having completed CNA training through Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing and maintaining CPR certification, underscoring her commitment to care and service.
At LUM, Monica has quickly embraced the organization’s mission and the opportunity to serve the community in a meaningful way. She finds purpose in everyday interactions and believes deeply in the impact of small moments of kindness.
“Every day is a chance to change someone’s life through the work we do,” she shared.
Monica is fully bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, a skill that greatly enhances her ability to welcome, support, and communicate with members of our diverse community. Her bilingual ability is especially valuable at the LUM front desk, where clear communication and hospitality are essential to ensuring that every guest feels understood, cared for, and respected.
In her short time at LUM, Monica has already contributed to the welcoming environment that defines the front desk experience. Her professionalism, warmth, and strong bilingual communication skills help ensure that every visitor who walks through the doors is greeted with dignity.
Lafayette Urban Ministry is grateful to welcome Monica Ventureno to the team and looks forward to the many ways she will continue to strengthen our mission of service in the community.