Category Archives: Immigration Clinic

Meet Christian – New Immigration Clinic Director

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Christian Gallo, JD – LUM Immigration Clinic Director

Christian Gallo is the new director of the LUM Immigration Clinic. He grew up in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and now lives in Lafayette with his three children. Christian earned his baccalaureate degree from Colegio Champagnat, Master in Laws degree from Indiana University, and JD from Universidad Católica Argentina (Buenos Aires). He has been a member of the Ciudad de Buenos Aires Bar since 1995 and Indiana Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs for more than 10 years. Christian is fluent in four languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian) as well as speaking basic French.

Christian was drawn to LUM because he enjoys helping and advocating for others. He shared that, “Helping people in need is true love to others and God; thus, it becomes goodness for them. We are instruments of God in his salvation plan.” This Bible passage from the Book of 2 Chronicles also guides him in his work, “But as for you, be strong and do not slack off, for there shall be a reward for what you do.“

Christian considers himself an advocate for those in need and is inspired by two quotes. The first is a quote by Socrates, published by Plato, “It is better to suffer an injustice than to commit one.” And the second is from a soliloquy by Cyrano de Bergerac written by Edmond Rostand, “But one cannot fight hoping only for success! No! No: it’s still more sweet if it’s all in vain!” Both remind him that we must act against injustice, strive to be just to others, and know that the work of social justice is never done.

Christian enjoys being with his family and coaching soccer and rugby. In 2007, he was the coach of the Purdue Women’s Rugby team. He is passionate about his work and looks forward to joining the LUM team. He is genuinely impressed with the work being done at LUM, especially with the LUM Immigration Clinic, and plans on building on that success. Please join us in welcoming Christian Gallo to LUM as the new LUM Immigration Clinic director.

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Immigration Clinic

Important Events, Needs and Opportunities

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Ways You Can Get Engaged with LUM

Row-A-Thon – Saturday, February 13 – Fundraiser sponsored by the Purdue Crew Team to raise money for the LUM Good Samaritan Program. More.

Chipotle Night – Tuesday, February 23, 5-9 p.m. – Dine at Chipotle (Lafayette) and the LUM Youth Program receives 30% of your purchase. More.

Meals Need – LUM Emergency Shelter – URGENT need for February meals. Dates available include: February 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17-23, 26 & 27. Sign up HERE.

Hiring – Shelter Security Staff – $15/hour – Part-time, 11-20 hours/week. Send resume with cover letter to Briton Weise, Emergency Shelter Director (bweise@lumserve.org). More.

Search – Immigration Clinic Director – Full time, Salaried, Benefits, Reporting to Executive Director. Resumes will be reviewed starting February 7. Start date as early as March 15. Send resume with cover letter to Wes Tillett, LUM Executive Director (careers@lumserve.org). More.

Briefly Noted! Announcing! Save the Date!

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Ways You Can Get Engaged with LUM

Meals Need – LUM Emergency Shelter – URGENT need for February meals. Dates available include: February 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17-23, 26 & 27. Sign up HERE.

Hiring – Shelter Security Staff – $15/hour – Part-time, 11-20 hours/week. Send resume with cover letter to Briton Weise, Emergency Shelter Director (bweise@lumserve.org). More.

Search – Immigration Clinic Director – Full time, Salaried, Benefits, Reporting to Executive Director. Resumes will be reviewed starting February 7. Start date as early as March 15. Send resume with cover letter to Wes Tillett, LUM Executive Director (careers@lumserve.org). More.

Row-A-Thon – Saturday, February 13 – Fundraiser sponsored by the Purdue Crew Team to raise money for the LUM Good Samaritan Program. More.

Chipotle Night – Tuesday, February 23, 5-9 p.m. – Dine at Chipotle (Lafayette) and the LUM Youth Program receives 30% of your purchase. More.

Volunteer Afternoon Receptionists Needed – Weekdays, Noon to 4:30 p.m. Interested individuals should email or call Monica (mcasanova@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691). More.

Meet Eli Heindricks – New LUM Intern

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Eli Heindricks is a senior at Purdue majoring in Political Science and Economics with a minor in Philosophy. He grew up in Fortville, graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School, and was a visiting student at the University of Oxford in the Fall of 2019.

This semester, Eli is serving as the LUM Klinker-Alting Family Advocacy Intern, and will provide outreach, advocacy and education, fundraising, marketing, and communication for the Immigration Clinic. Eli Heindricks shared, 

“I really enjoy helping people in my community. Working with LUM allows me to learn while serving those in need.” 

The Klinker-Alting Family Advocacy Internship is open to juniors and seniors who are enrolled and in good academic standing with the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue. The merit-based internship provides students with practical, hands-on learning of the political process. Included with the internship is a $500 stipend provided by LUM.

Letter from the LUM Immigration Clinic director

Immigration Clinic,

A letter from LUM Immigration Clinic Director,
Rev. Susan Brouillette

Dear friends,

I hope this update finds you healthy and safe.  

As many of you know, we just wrapped up the annual fundraiser for the LUM Immigration Clinic, Port of Hope. I am in awe of the amazing generosity of our donors, volunteers, and sponsors. During this season of hope, we give thanks to all of those who helped make the fundraiser successful with their time, talent, and treasure. 

The season is also a time to reflect on the past year. Even though COVID has presented real challenges, the LUM Immigration Clinic has remained open, running at full capacity. We continue to work with both new and existing clients as they pursue immigration issues and naturalization. We have shifted our interactions with clients to virtual meetings to maintain both client and staff safety. It is reaffirming, despite all the daily news we all face, to sit down at the end of the day and know that we have been able to assist a client on their path and assure them that they are not alone on their journey.

As we celebrate the love revealed during this holiday season, let us not forget the sacrifices our immigrant brothers and sisters face on a daily basis in these unprecedented times.  We frequently see their faces on the frontlines—whether it be construction, medical services, retail, food service, agricultural and janitorial, just to mention a few. They are essential workers now more than ever. 

The season also brings the promise of hope. As we look forward to the new year, we are excited about opportunities for growth. We hope you find in this newsletter testament to our accomplishments in the past year and glimpses of good things yet to come for the LUM Immigration Clinic and the people we serve.  

Sincerely,

The Rev. Susan Brouillette  
LUM Immigration Clinic Director
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Port of Hope 2020 – Most Successful Ever

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$96,548 Raised for the LUM Immigration Clinic

The fifth annual Port of Hope raised $96,582.62 for the LUM Immigration Clinic. Despite COVID-19, the Port of Hope fundraiser was the most successful one yet. 

The Port of Hope team began re-imagining this important fundraiser months in advance and created a variety of exciting experiences. To create more excitement and get more advocates engaged, there were two additional events that led up to the main event — Who’s That Masked Donor? and the PoH Scavenger Hunt.

The main event was the Port of Hope Virtual Experience. Participants joined the event online and were treated to a performance by Clave Caribe, Zumba lesson with Carlitos Centellas, and a cooking demonstration by Aparna Puri interspersed with client and volunteer interviews highlighting the positive impact of the LUM Immigration Clinic in our community. It was an upbeat, exciting Virtual Experience that is now available to view online. At the end of this article are links to Port of Hope Virtual Experience as well as videos with Nohemi Lugo, Hispanic Advocate for the YWCA Domestic Violence Program, and Drs. Ketan and Tenuja Sheth, the donors behind the $30,000 matching grant. If you have been to any of the live Port of Hope events you will want to click on the Port of Hope Photo Montage as well.

A big part of the success of this year’s Port of Hope was due to the generosity of the Sheth Family. Drs. Ketan & Tanuja Sheth have offered a “$30,000 Match Donation.” As an immigrant and the child of immigrants themselves, Ketan and Tanuja understand the importance of quality immigration services being available to those most in need and are passionate about the impact the LUM Immigration Clinic has on our community. 

Sheth Immigration Clinic Match – Donate

Thanks also to the Port of HopeEvent Sponsors. These businesses and individuals generously gave to the LUM Immigration Clinic, so please show them your support. 
Immigration Clinic Playlist (click to view):

 All funds raised support the continued mission of the LUM Immigration Clinic. If you weren’t able to attend, your donation would still be greatly appreciated.

Port of Hope & Sheth Family Team Up

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Port of Hope Virtual Experience &
Sheth Family Matching Grant Team Up to
Double Your Impact

Enjoy a cozy evening at home, snuggled on your sofa in your favorite pajamas, partaking in the LUM Immigration Clinic Virtual Port of Hope FUNdraiser! 

You will enjoy dance, music, and informative discussions and interviews highlighting the efforts of the clinic and the positive impact it has on Greater Lafayette.

The evening will also include an interview with Drs. Ketan and Tanuja Sheth who are offering a “$30,000 Match Donation” in support of the LUM Immigration Clinic. As an immigrant and the child of immigrants themselves, Ketan and Tanuja understand the importance of quality immigration services being available to those most in need and are passionate about the impact the LUM Immigration Clinic has on our community.

Sheth Immigration Clinic Match – Donate

All donations to the LUM Immigration Clinic between now and November 30 will be matched by the Sheths. This includes funds raised in conjunction with Port of Hope. Take advantage of this remarkable opportunity to “double your donation” to the LUM Immigration Clinic and increase your impact in helping our immigrant neighbors, thanks to the wonderful generosity of the Sheth family.
LUM looks forward to seeing you at the virtual Port of Hope, Thursday, November 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m.!

To take advantage of this Match Program, click the button below.

Sheth Immigration Clinic Match – Donate

Meet Dr. Cortes —Immigration Clinic Volunteer

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The LUM Immigration Clinic is also blessed to have as a volunteer Dr. Ileana Cortes Santiago who shares her expertise to foster community and equitability. She describes herself as

“the daughter of agriculture, Puerto Rican home cooking, Spanish verses, and a complex family that I love.” 

Dr. Cortes currently assists the LUM Immigration Clinic with its newsletters and social media. Her association with the LUM Immigration Clinic started when she was a Ph.D. student at Purdue studying literacy and language education. Even though she has since moved to the Washington, DC area she still has strong ties to the greater Lafayette community. She is a former communications manager for a national immigration justice non-profit and currently works at an international development agency. Susan Brouillette, the LUM Immigration Clinic director summed it up this way,

“In addition to having a servant’s heart, Ileana is an extremely gifted writer and graphic artist and we are incredibly fortunate that she has chosen to share the gifts of her time and talents with the LUM Immigration Clinic.”

If you wish to become a volunteer with the LUM Immigration Clinic, go to our website (www.lumserve.org/volunteer) or email Susan Brouillette at sbrouillette@lumserve.org.

If you would like to make a donation to the LUM Immigration, click below.

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Meet Eli —Immigration Clinic Volunteer

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Eli Heindricks is a senior at Purdue studying Economics and Political Science. Almost from the time that he stepped on campus as a student he has been involved with the LUM Immigration Clinic and Campaign for Hoosier Families. 

He has helped with outreach, advocacy and education, fundraising, marketing, and communication. When describing the impact that Eli has had on the LUM Immigration Clinic, the director, Susan Brouillette, commented, 

“When I think about the future, I know it’s bright because Eli is a part of it. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our team and will miss him dearly when he leaves Purdue.”

When Eli was asked why he volunteers with LUM and the LUM Immigration Clinic, he replied,

“I really enjoy helping people in my community.”

 

If you wish to become a volunteer with the LUM Immigration Clinic, go to our website (www.lumserve.org/volunteer) or email Susan Brouillette at sbrouillette@lumserve.org.

If you would like to make a donation to the LUM Immigration, click below.

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Immigration Clinic

 

Port of Hope – Immigration Clinic Fundraiser

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PoH Scavenger Hunt – Join the Fun!

The PoH Scavenger Hunt is THIS SATURDAY (10/17) any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (~90 minute hunt). Players will be led to clues regarding an immigrant or a group of immigrants from Tippecanoe County who have made a significant contribution to the community or world. Individuals & teams (student, adult and family categories) who successfully complete the scavenger hunt first will be declared winners.

PoH Scavenger Hunt Fees

  • $25 for teams of up to 5 people
  • $15 for individuals/nonstudents
  • $7 for students
  • $10 for T-shirt

Prizes – awarded to the following groups:

  • Student | Adult | Virtual Player |
  • Adult Team | College Team | Family Team | Best Team Name |

Race Packets

  • Pickup: TOMORROW (Friday, October 16) from 4 – 6 p.m.
  • Race Packets includes T-shirts ($10 extra charge each), Scavenger Hunt Map, Coupons (redeemable for a free small cone, appetizer, 1/2 price, etc.)

Here is how you can help:Participate | Promote | Volunteer

To create more excitement and get more advocates engaged, there are two additional events planned this year — Who’s That Masked Donor? (now through Thursday, November 5) and the the 5th annual LUM Port of Hope fundraising event for the LUM Immigration Clinic. Due to COVID-19, Port of Hope is going to be a “virtual experience” on Thursday, November 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. EST.

To learn more about these exciting programs supporting the LUM Immigration Clinic, go to lumserve.org/port-of-hope.