The Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) is an organization of more than 40 Christian churches that serves as a social safety net for Lafayette, Indiana's needy children and families.
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In recognition of their church, First Baptist, and in honor of Joe Micon’s 41 years of service to LUM & the community, Carol & Nick Starr (pictured) donated $1,000 to support the work of the LUM Immigration Clinic. This “Starr” gift was used to purchase books for the LUM Immigration Clinic new law library. These books will provide a valuable online resource for the Immigration Clinic team allowing them to better serve individuals and families needing immigration assistance.
Carol is also a LUM volunteer working primarily with the LUM Good Samaritan Program. Lafayette Urban Ministry is grateful for the continued support from Carol & Nick Starr — especially during times like these. If you wish to make in an investment in the LUM Immigration Clinic, click the button below to make an online donation today.
Summertime is often a time for reflection and planning. Many of us are spending more time outdoors and trying to figure out how to keep in touch with our family & friends — while social distancing and staying healthy.
At LUM, staff are looking toward the future — preparing and modifying upcoming programs like Hunger Hike, Port of Hope, Community Thanksgiving and Jubilee Christmas. You may also be spending the summer planning for your future and reflecting how you may assist those less fortunate. Perhaps you could create a personal legacy by continuing your support of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry beyond your own lifetime. During our lifetimes, we support our neighbors with our gifts to LUM, but by creating a legacy through Planned Giving your support of our ministry will continue for all perpetuity.
It’s a win-win Estate Planning strategy for you and LUM. In addition to the altruistic benefits, your charitable gift to Lafayette Urban Ministry brings tax relief — and also allows you to make a larger gift to LUM than you could make from your income alone. Whether you use cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, artwork, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance or a retirement plan, the benefits of Estate Planned Gifts can make this type of donation attractive to you as a well as LUM. Consider also remembering Lafayette Urban Ministry in your will.
First, meet with your professional advisor to learn how informed estate planning can increase the overall value of your estate with a gift of tax-burdened assets (like IRAs, 401(k), or savings bonds) to Lafayette Urban Ministry. When you are ready, please email or call Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, who is eager to meet with you (wtillett@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691).
Whatever you decide — enjoy your summer with your family and friends — and think for a moment about the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry and the families we serve.
Last week, Nina L. Morgan was presented with the Golden Gift of Time Award as a part of the 24th Annual Volunteer Recognition Program sponsored by the United Way of Greater Lafayette.
At LUM, Nina has been the volunteer director of the Protein Food Pantry for 13 months. She also is a volunteer receptionist once a week, volunteers with Jubilee Christmas, and serves as the chair of the Personnel Committee on the Executive Council of the LUM Board of Directors, representing Grace Lutheran Church. Nina also has recruited many dedicated volunteers to LUM (including her husband, Robert), has engaged her church members and has sewn dozens of face masks for LUM staff and clients.
Nina is an absolute treasure to the community through her work with LUM and her church. She was presented with the award by Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski and West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis (pictured) along with representatives of United Way.
Please join us in congratulating Nina Morgan on this well deserved honor. To view more PHOTOS of the presentation, click HERE.
This past week, LUM has been distributing five new pairs of socks to each guest in the LUM Emergency Shelter and each child enrolled in the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program. {Pictured is Lailyn AKA Lai Lai, a LUM student excited about her new socks.}
This generous in-kind donation comes from Bombas, a company founded on the philosophy of donating socks to those in need. For every pair they sell, they donate a pair. To date, Bombas has donated close to 40 million socks across the US. LUM is fortunate to be one of their partner agencies. It is such a blessing to our guests and children, who do not often get new clothes.
Thanks to Bombas for the support, especially during these difficult times.
The leadership and members of Central Presbyterian Church (Lafayette) recently donated $10,000 to Lafayette Urban Ministry to support summer programs, including LUM Camp and 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program. In a recent conversation with the LUM executive director, Wes Tillett, church members asked, “How can we help during this crisis?”
When Wes opened the daily mail and saw a check for $10,000, he was humbled and joyously surprised. This grant was made possible by generous gifts from the Chuck & Jack Horner families, who established the Central Presbyterian Foundation’s Horner Family Fund in 1980 to further the community mission & ministry of the church by funding youth camperships for camping programs.
This gift will have a tremendous impact on the families that LUM will serve this summer, especially the children who enroll in LUM youth programs.
Please join us in THANKING Central Presbyterian, one of the founding LUM member churches, for their continued support of LUM.
Would you, or someone you know, make a good LUM Camp Counselor?
LUM Camp is a week-long, over-night camp program for low-income children from 8 to 10 years old. Volunteer camp counselors must be
18 years old,
enjoy working with children,
attend training on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m., and
be able to spend the entire week of camp from 11 a.m. Monday, July 27 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 31
Your transportation, housing and food will be covered — and you will get a LUM Camp staff shirt and the experience of a lifetime. Committed volunteer camp counselors are at the heart of a successful LUM Camp and play an important role with our LUM campers. For additional information, click HERE.
If you would rather support LUM Camp with a donation, consider sponsoring a camper for $150.
LUM Camp
PLEASE SHARE.
Please note: LUM is working closely with the professional staff at Hanging Rock Christian Camp, the long-time host site of LUM Camp. LUM Camp is being planned in compliance with and exceeding the guidelines developed by the American Camp Association and the YMCA of the USA. All donations to LUM Camp will be used entirely on the campers’ experience this year.
LUM Camp is a scholarship-based camp, meaning LUM only invites children whose parents are not able to pay for the $150 per child cost of camp. The campers’ parents pay only $5 per child, and generous LUM donors cover the rest. LUM Camp is one the finest overnight summer camp programs available to children anywhere. There are so many children who are eagerly awaiting their chance to attend from July 28 – 31.
Your campership will pay for a child’s transportation, room and board, camp activities, books, supplies, and all of our career and vocational programs, in other words everything a camper will need to attend this year’s LUM Camp.
Sending $300 will allow two children to attend LUM Camp
Sending $450 will provide three camperships
$75 will provide half a campership
LUM Camp is one of the finest overnight summer camp programs available to children anywhere. I know of nearly 65 children waiting anxiously to attend. Would you please invest in both their long-term life skills and their short-term fun by offering them the gift of LUM Camp?
LUM Camp
Please note: LUM is working closely with the professional staff at Hanging Rock Christian Camp, the long-time host site of LUM Camp. LUM Camp is being planned in compliance with and exceeding the guidelines developed by the American Camp Association and the YMCA of the USA. All donations to LUM Camp will be used entirely on the campers’ experience this year.
Chuck Clark, president of the Underwood Agency, recently presented a check for $1,000 to LUM executive director, Wes Tillett {Pictured L to R: Wes Tillett & Chuck Clark.}
Chuck Clark nominated LUM for the matching donor program at Erie Insurance and was awarded a grant.
Thanks to Chuck Clark, the entire team at Underwood Agency and Erie Insurance for their generous donation and continued support of LUM.
Kieron O. Denson is the new LUM custodian. He graduated from Benton Central High School this past December and still lives in Oxford, Indiana.
Kieron has volunteered with LUM for more than a year and was a LUM Camp counselor last summer.
Kieron enjoys working at LUM because the environment is friendly and the staff are helpful. He shared that,
“I will be the best that I can be by working hard and remaining positive and humble. Knowing that my work will help others have a better day, and life, makes me proud.“
Kieron also said that,
“Knowledge inspires me, and you can never stop learning.”
The ability to learn is one of his favorite things in life. In his free time, Kieron enjoys being outdoors, hiking and playing basketball. He plans on enrolling in college soon. LUM is lucky to have Kieron join the team in such an important role, especially during this difficult time.
Creative Solutions to Meeting Clients During COVID-19
Certainly within compliance with the new LUM COVID-19 Response Guidelines, the LUM Immigration Clinic is occasionally meeting with clients outside on LUM property.
The client, volunteer (Judge Tom Bush) and staff member (Monica Casanova) are wearing masks and social distancing (using a six foot table).
The LUM Immigration Clinic team, as well as all LUM staff members, are determined to “stay open” and are being creative to do so while keeping everyone safe and healthy.
