Four Ways YOU Can Help the LUM Emergency Shelter

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:

• Make a Monetary DONATION, click HERE
• Sign up to VOLUNTEER, click HERE
• Donate Needed ITEMS, click HERE
• Prepare a MEAL for LUM Shelter Guests, click HERE

The Story of Patrick’s Journey

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?

A Letter from the Executive Director, Wes Tillett

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…

• 250,000 bed nights | 250,000 evening meals | 10,500 individual shelter guests

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. 

Consider Investing in the LUM Immigration Clinic

In 2020, the LUM Immigration Clinic served 151 clients. Every dollar donated to the LUM Immigration Clinic is multiplied into many more dollars worth of certified legal help thanks to Director Christian Gallo and the talented team of volunteers. 

The 2021 budget for the LUM Immigration Clinic is $95,094. This cost includes financial aid for immigrants, continuing education for volunteers, staff salaries and benefits, citizenship classes, legal resources, and more.

LUM relies on generous donors like you in order to continue to offer this amazing service to our immigrant neighbors in this region – neighbors like Ricardo & Jaqueline Valera (pictured) who wrote to LUM to express their gratitude, 

“Since obtaining the LUM Immigration Clinic’s help with our immigration process, my husband was able to obtain his work permit. His income has helped me out with my family and school debt. I no longer have to work two or three jobs. I no longer have to miss important family moments. I no longer have to choose work over my health… We would not be where we are today without your help.”

The LUM Immigration Clinic has been there to help many hundreds of people like Ricardo & Jacqueline. Would you please consider a donation of $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 or some other amount in support of the LUM Immigration Clinic?

Christian Gallo Challenges LUM to “Thrive”

Christian Gallo, LUM Immigration Clinic director shared that, “The vision I have for the LUM Immigration Clinic is to thrive. We are doing important work today, but can always improve how we serve others and expand into new areas to serve more. As an example, I would like to see the LUM Immigration Clinic assist more clients through the long and complicated Immigration Court process. If we focus on getting more of our volunteers fully accredited then we will be able to represent more clients. We also can do a better job of supporting our volunteers with resources and training. The LUM Immigration Clinic must also engage with our local, state and federal elected officials and organizations, including foreign national consulates, to increase awareness and to better serve our community as a whole.”

Christian Gallo (pictured above with a grateful client) grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Colegio Champagnat, Master in Laws degree from Indiana University, and JD from Universidad Católica Argentina (Buenos Aires). Christian has many years of experience in immigration law and speaks four languages: Spanish, English, Italian, and Portuguese.