All is well? Look at our times. Not all is well: pandemic, poverty, injustice, stress, strife. Yet Julian of Norwich’s words reassure us that even though not all is well, all shall be well. Julian did not live in a time when “all” was “well.” She lived through the Black Death and Peasants’ Revolt of her times. She suffered through serious illnesses herself. Julian’s confidence in the ultimate wellness of “all manner of thing” was not based on serene circumstances but on the marvelous and often mysterious goodness of God.
Clients have left their countries of origin to pursue a brighter, safer future in the United States. Oftentimes their immigration is prompted by difficulties such as domestic violence, persecution, civil unrest, and poverty. Other times their immigration is prompted by a desire to reconnect with a spouse or children, or to pursue a degree or career.
“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Julian of Norwich (born 1343, died 1416)
God promises to make “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:38). At Christmas, we recall the scene of God bursting into the night to announce, “Peace on earth; good will toward all people” (Luke 2:14). Wellness is what God does. It’s what God will do. All shall be well. Boosted by this hope, we are able to move beyond the paralysis induced by despair. We can face painful situations and, rather than cower in a corner, reach out in love. Every day and night at Lafayette Urban Ministry, painful situations are encountered. And every day and night, because of your generosity, LUM is able to help make “all things well” by responding with the courage born of hope. Merry Christmas! May you experience wellness and rest this Christmas season.
The sixth annual Port of Hope fundraiser benefiting the LUM Immigration Clinic featured lively entertainment, global cuisine, a marketplace of auction items and wonderful fellowship. The community came together at the Lafayette Brewing Company to support the LUM Immigration Clinic and celebrate the diversity of Greater Lafayette.
In addition to the Port of Hope participants, LUM board members and local religious leaders, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker, Lafayette City Council member Nancy Nargi, and West Lafayette City Council member Kathy Parker were also in attendance. Many thanks to the Port of Hope sponsors, restaurants, and donors. These businesses and individuals generously give to the Immigration Clinic. Please show them your support and let them know that you saw them at Port of Hope. Without the support of our sponsors, donors, and guests, paired with efforts of our tireless volunteers, this successful event would not be possible.
Congratulations to the Immigration Clinic director and assistance director, Christian Gallo and Yanina Gomez Szyszko, for taking Port of Hope to another level. With your help and the help of everyone who contributed, the Port of Hope will raise the funds needed to continue the good work of the LUM Immigration Clinic.
If you weren’t able to attend, your donation is still be greatly appreciated.
Thanks also to the Port of Hope Event Sponsors. These businesses and individuals generously gave to the LUM Immigration Clinic, so please show them your support.
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.
Let’s face it — the only thing better about this fundraising event than knowing you are supporting the good work of the LUM Immigration Clinic is the FOOD!
Port of Hope will feature some of the “best bites” from local favorites like Maggie’s Kitchen (Africa), Che Chori (Argentina), Lafayette Brewing Co. (USA), Lindo Mexico (Mexico), Arni’s (USA) and sweets from Insomnia Cookies!
The event also includes Marketplace items for “foodies” to bid on like gift baskets featuring food items from Germany, Italy and Argentina; gift cards from The Whittaker Inn, Crabby Mike’s BBQ, Bru Burger Bar, Sam’s Club and Target; and cooking classes.
Buy your Port of Hope tickets for the cause, but attend for the tasty food — and the good company, unique Marketplace items and lively entertainment. There is limited space at the Port of Hope event; so, get your tickets today. Must be at least 21 to attend.
If you are not able to attend the Port of Hope event but still would like to make an investment in the LUM Immigration Clinic, donate online—click below.
LUM is thrilled to announce that the Monkey Maestros will be performing at the annual Port of Hope fundraising event for the LUM Immigration Clinic on Thursday, November 4. The members of the Monkey Maestros have a lot in common. They grew up together in West Lafayette, are seniors at West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School, plan on attending Purdue University next Fall, and are all members of an immigrant family.
The Monkey Maestros formed in July 2020. Zain Hafeez told his friends how much he loved playing his guitar. They were excited about forming a band. Zain recruited Robert Fligor to join the band and learn how to play the bass guitar. They recruited Brendan Duffy, a gifted vocalist, and Robert Richards, a talented keyboard player, and then convinced William Kwon to be their drummer. Using borrowed, bought and donated equipment, they began to make music in Zain’s basement. Although the band formed just for fun, family members encouraged them and arranged a live performance of the Monkey Maestros at the VFW hall last September (pictured above).
Since they are all attending Purdue University next Fall, they plan on performing together for at least the next four and a half years. The Monkey Maestros play cover music by Cream, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and more. They have already begun to write their own music and will be performing original music soon. If you attend Port of Hope, you will witness the beginning of the journey of the Monkey Maestros. SEE BELOW and read more about the members of the Monkey Maestros. There is limited space at the Port of Hope event; so, get your tickets today.
Zain Hafeez grew up and lives in West Lafayette with his parents and their cat, Billu; and he has a sister who lives in Chicago. His father is from Pakistan, and his maternal grandparents are from India. At West Lafayette High School, he is the president of the Astronomy Club, plays the violin in the orchestra, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of school, Zain is active with Deaf Kids Code, a nonprofit organization founded by his mother. He plans on attending Purdue next Fall pursuing a degree in Physics. With the Monkey Maestros, Zain is the guitarist. His musical influences are BB King, Cream, Eric Clapton and The Doors.
Robert Fligor grew up and lives in West Lafayette with his parents, his younger sister and their dog. His mother is from Ukraine (formerly the Soviet Union). At West Lafayette High School, he is active with the FIRST Robotics Team, Hack Club and Game Club. He plans on attending Purdue next Fall pursuing a degree in Engineering. With the Monkey Maestros, Robert plays the bass guitar. His musical influences are the bassist, Flea, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
William Kwon grew up and lives in West Lafayette with his parents and his older sister. His mother and father are from South Korea. At West Lafayette High School, Williams plays trumpet in Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, is active with the FIRST Robotics Team and is co-president of Hack Club. He plans on attending Purdue next Fall pursuing a degree in Computer Science. With the Monkey Maestros, William is the drummer. He is inspired by mainstream pop music.
Robert Richards was born in Kentucky and lived in Hawaii, Clemson, NC and South Korea. He now lives in West Lafayette with his parents and his two brothers. His father served many years in the US military, and his mother is from South Korea. At West Lafayette High School, he plays trombone in the Pep Band, Marching Band and Jazz Band; is active with the FIRST Robotics Team; and is a member of the UNICEF Club and Generation to Generation Art Club. He plans on attending Purdue next Fall pursuing a degree in Engineering. With the Monkey Maestros, Robert plays keyboards, piano, and rhythm guitar. His musical influences are Pink Floyd and David Gilmore.
Brendan Duffy was born in Mississippi, lived in Moscow for a year, and lives in West Lafayette with his parents, two brothers, and five sisters. At West Lafayette High School, he is on the baseball team, is the Senior Class representative to the Student Council, a part of the acapella vocal group, Priority Male, and is a member of the Game Club, Chess Club, National Honor Society, and Société Honoraire de Français. With his church, St. Thomas Aquinas, Brendan participates in CTEC. He plans on attending Purdue next Fall pursuing a degree in Engineering. With the Monkey Maestros, Brendan is the vocalist. His musical influences are Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Josh Groban.
Port of Hope – event information
Port of Hope is an exciting fundraising event benefiting the LUM Immigration Clinic. Port of Hope is a festive event with lots of food, dancing, and fun, including hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, live performances, and a cash bar. Port of Hope details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, November 4
Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Place: Lafayette Brewing Co., 622 Main St., Lafayette
Tickets: $50 per person
If your business or group would like to become an event sponsor, email poh@LUMserve.org. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, go to LUMserve.org/port-of-hope.
All funds raised support the continued mission of the LUM Immigration Clinic. If you are not able to attend, your donation would still be greatly appreciated.
If your business or group would like to become an event sponsor, email poh@LUMserve.org. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, go to LUMserve.org/port-of-hope.
Port of Hope is an exciting fundraising event benefiting the LUM Immigration Clinic. Port of Hope is a festive event with lots of food, dancing, and fun, including hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, live performances, and a cash bar. Port of Hope details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, November 4
Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Place: Lafayette Brewing Co., 622 Main St., Lafayette
Tickets: $50 per person
If your business or group would like to become an event sponsor, email poh@LUMserve.org. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, go to LUMserve.org/port-of-hope.
All funds raised support the continued mission of the LUM Immigration Clinic. If you are not able to attend, your donation would still be greatly appreciated.
Port of Hope is an exciting fundraising event benefiting the LUM Immigration Clinic, which includes hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, live performances, a Marketplace with unique experiences, and a cash bar. Port of Hope details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, November 4
Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Place: Lafayette Brewing Co., 622 Main St., Lafayette
Tickets: $50 per person
For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, go to LUMserve.org/port-of-hope.If your business or group would like to become an event sponsor, email poh@LUMserve.org.
All funds raised support the continued mission of the LUM Immigration Clinic. If you are not able to attend, your donation would still be greatly appreciated.
The LUM Emergency Shelter is directed by Jeffrey Auguste. Under Jeffrey’s leadership, LUM continues to address the complex problems facing our guests who are experiencing chronic homelessness. Addiction, mental illness, unwise choices, emotional and physical disabilities are difficult to overcome. But the LUM staff members faithfully serve all guests, opening them up to brighter days ahead. Jeffrey’s personal mission offers some inspiration:
“I aim to give back hope, offering a glimmer of light to those who are under-served, allowing them to believe in a better future for themselves.”
In the first eight months of 2021, the LUM Emergency Shelter provided that “glimmer of light” to more than 250 new guests, in the form of 5,500 overnight stays. Of course all of this was in the midst of the ongoing global pandemic. And all of this was made possible through the leadership of Jeffrey, the passion of Patrick, and the financial generosity of people like YOU! Four Ways YOU can help the LUM Emergency Shelter are as follows:
This synergy has made an impact on individuals such as Patrick Renfroe. In 2016, Patrick became a guest at the LUM Emergency Shelter, seeking to break free from his 45 years of substance abuse. At the LUM Emergency Shelter, he found a place that was clean, friendly, and supportive of his journey toward being clean. By utilizing various substance abuse services connected through LUM, Patrick was able to break the chains of addiction as well as find steady employment. Through the LUM “Match Program” by which LUM matches dollar-for-dollar money set aside for permanent housing, Patrick was able to move into a home of his own. Today, five years later, Patrick is an outstanding employee of the LUM Emergency Shelter, welcoming guests, supporting them on in their own journey toward permanent housing and greater freedom. He proudly shares that he has been clean for more than three years and three months.
It is energizing to witness the positive changes in the life of Patrick Renfroe and hundreds of others like him who have benefited from the ministry of the LUM Emergency Shelter. The hospitality and impact of the LUM Emergency Shelter has been remarkable. The whole adds up to more than the sum of the individual parts. That’s “synergy.” Please, will you make a generous financial gift to the LUM Emergency Shelter, so that we can offer that “glimmer of light” to our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Greater Lafayette?
When I think about the LUM Emergency Shelter, the word “synergy” comes to mind. Synergy is happening whenever 1+ 1 = more than 2.
Since 1984, many local churches in Greater Lafayette have been pooling their resources in order to provide safe, clean, nurturing overnight shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness. These churches could not start or sustain such an endeavor individually. But these churches and many other organizations and individuals have joined in supporting the LUM Emergency Shelter over the past decades. They have have partnered together with LUM for 37 years (and counting) to provide overnight emergency shelter 365 nights a year (366 nights for leap years) for more than…
Through the synergistic efforts of so many people in this community, LUM is offering more than just a safe and secure shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. LUM is offering support, encouragement, and the tools needed by our guests to live more independent, self-sufficient, and fulfilling lives.
Will you help us continue to serve those in our community who are experiencing homelessness? Your gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 to the LUM Emergency Shelter will help LUM continue to provide help and hope to those experiencing homelessness.
