Category Archives: Lafayette Urban Ministry

LUM Outreach – Lafayette Volunteer Expo

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Promoting the LUM “Summer of Service”

Recently, LUM participated in the Lafayette Volunteer Expo. It was a great opportunity to recruit new volunteers and invite individuals to become more engage with LUM.

L to R: Jeffrey Auguste, LUM shelter director; Marlena Edmondson, LUM Camp director; Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, Yanina Gomez Szyszko, LUM Immigration Clinic assistant director; and Terri Anderson, LUM volunteer coordinator & office manager

LUM staff were excited to share the LUM Summer of Service. LUM Summer of Service focuses on the variety of LUM volunteer opportunities offered this summer from being a LUM Camp counselor — to serving meals at the Emergency Shelter — to being a teacher’s aide in the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program — to assisting clients at one of the two LUM food pantries — or working as an advocate with the Immigration Clinic and Financial Assistance Program.

If you missed the Lafayette Volunteer Expo and want to be a part of the LUM Summer of Service, go to LUMserve.org/volunteer or email or call the LUM volunteer coordinator, Terri Anderson (volunteer@LUMserve.org | 765-423-2691).

Volunteer – LUM Summer of Service

Outreach is an important part of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry. Members of the LUM professional staff actively seek opportunities to promote LUM services, recruit volunteers, and educate people on issues relating to poverty, hunger and homelessness. Directors of the various LUM programs are eager to raise awareness of LUM services, are well-informed on social and economic issues, and would like to help raise awareness in the local community on critical issues affecting low-income families.

Staff members are available to speak or set up an information table for churches, civic organization, agencies, community events, and educational groups. To make arrangements for a presentation or event, call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).

LUM Outreach – Information

Hunger Hike 2022 — Needed More Than Ever

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Mark Your Calendars – Sunday, September 18

Planning for Hunger Hike 2022 has begun — and all indications suggest it may be needed now more than ever. Did you know…

  • Food prices increased 7.9 percent since 2011
  • Food insecurity has increased among families with children and communities of color due to COVID-19
  • Rural communities are especially hard hit by hunger
  • Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs
  • Hunger in African American, Latino, and Native American communities is higher because of systemic racial injustice (Source: Feeding America)

Hunger Hike is a community fundraising event whose mission is to Raise Awareness & Make a Difference in the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally, & globally. Hunger Hike is open to participants of all ages and abilities who share a common goal: Fighting Hunger! Mark your calendars (September 18), check out the Hunger Hike website, recruit your team, and begin planning your fundraising. Your participation will have a much needed positive impact on eliminating hunger.

Hunger Hike is a perfect fundraising event for your group — student organization, church group, civic group, team or family. Put together a Hunger Hike team and start raising money using our online fundraising site — or any other way you choose.

All Hunger Hike proceeds directly support the Lafayette Urban Ministry food assistance programs including the two LUM Food Pantries; Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.; and St. Thomas Aquinas’ Haitian Ministry. This is YOUR opportunity to support these outstanding local organizations while engaging in a meaningful and fun community event.

We hope you’ll consider joining our Fight against Hunger. Here’s how to get started:

| Donate Online | Hunger Hike—Online Fundraising |

If you are a business owner — you also may become a Hunger Hike sponsor. For more information on how to become 2022 Event Sponsor, email hungerhike@lumserve.org.

LUM Supports Mental Health Legislation

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Do More for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a great opportunity to call on Congress to do more for mental health and suicide prevention in schools.
Join the Campaign for Hoosier Families by emailing your U.S. Senators to urge their support for two important federal bills that will help improve youth mental health and prevent suicide in schools: The Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Act(S.3628) and The Mental Health Services for Students Act (S.1841). 

The US Senators representing Indiana are Mike Braun & Todd C. Young; and House members representing Indiana are as follows (click on their names for contact information):

Reach out to Senators Braun & Young and your House representative by email, letter and/or through social media. Demand #MoreForMentalHealth and urge them to support and vote “YES” for The Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Act (S.3628) and The Mental Health Services for Students Act (S.1841). 

Campaign for Hoosier Families is an alliance of faith-based organizations that engages local, state and federal officials on behalf of low-income Hoosier families and children. To find out more information about the Campaign for Hoosier Families, please click HERE. Thank you for helping to support Hoosier Families! If you wish to make a donation to the LUM Social Justice Ministry, click HERE.

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Social Justice Ministry

LUM Camp Needs YOU! Counselors Needed!

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Make a Difference This Summer at LUM Camp

Make a difference in the lives of local children this summer and receive a $200 stipend. LUM Camp is a week-long, overnight camp program for low-income children from 8 to 10 years old. Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday, July 25 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 29. LUM Camp counselors must be:

  • 18 years old
  • prepared to hike, have fun, be outdoors
  • a good team player
  • flexible, fun & fair
  • willing to work with at-risk children from low income families
  • able to spend the entire week at camp (July 25-29)

To learn more about becoming a LUM Camp Counselor, click HERE.

Please share with others

If you are not able to volunteer, you may support LUM Camp by making a donation or sponsoring a camper ($200 per child).

Camp Counselor Application
Sponsor a LUM Camper – Donate
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LUM Assists Ukrainian & Afghan Citizens

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Immigration help is available to those affected by the invasion of Ukraine and the unrest in Afghanistan through the LUM Immigration Clinic. The US Citizenship & Immigration Services has a number of measures available to the individuals impacted by the extreme situations and unforeseen circumstances impacting them, and the LUM Immigration Clinic is ready to assist.

Since the US Department of Homeland Security has designated Temporary Protected Status for the countries of Ukraine and Afghanistan, the LUM Immigration Clinic has been assisting citizens from both countries. There are 1,300 Ukrainian nationals who reside in Indiana who are eligible for TPS.

You may assist the LUM Immigration Clinic by sharing this information with those in need, making a donation, or volunteering. For more information, please call or email the Immigration Clinic (765-423-2691 | immigration@LUMserve.org).

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Volunteer – Immigration Clinic

Northview Church Donates Books to LUM

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New Books for the LUM Youth Center Library

Recently, the members of the Greater Lafayette Campus of Northview Church gave a special gift to the LUM students — BOOKS!

All of the LUM youth programs are enhanced learning experiences for our students that include a time to read. Whether it is after school, during the summer months or at LUM Camp, reading time is a fun and engaging part of the LUM youth curriculum. That is why this gift from the members of Northview Church is so special.

If you or your group wishes to support LUM Youth Programs you may donate “needed items,” like books, make a cash donation, or volunteer. Cash donations are preferred because they allow LUM to purchase what is needed, when it’s needed. Donations of “needed items” are also welcome and appreciated. If you wish to donate items to LUM, here is our Wish List. Please either ship or drop off items to the LUM Office (420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901).

Thanks again to the Northview Church members for their thoughtful gift and support of LUM and the students we teach.

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LUM Wish List

Row-A-Thon 2022 Raises $8,732 for LUM

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The Purdue Crew Team raised $8,732 for the LUM Good Samaritan Fund through the annual Row-A-Thon event which took place on February 12 at the local shopping mall. At the Purdue Crew Spring Banquet, Jack DeFuria, president, and Layne Harbourt, treasurer, presented a “big” check to Pablo Malavenda, LUM executive program director (pictured).

Each year, the Purdue Crew student athletes solicit donations for Row-A-Thon from their family and friends mostly from outside of this community; and this donation each year is the single largest gift to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund from any group or individual. LUM is grateful for the continued support over the years from the leadership, athletes and coaches of the Purdue Crew Team. Boiler Up!

The LUM Good Samaritan Fund provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis – and is not used for any administrative expenses. No operating expenses are taken out of the Good Samaritan Fund — 100% of all donations go to help those in need. In 2021, the Good Samaritan Fund helped 1,309 families; providing financial assistance in averting eviction, utility disconnects and other crises 2,018 times; and distributed $196,198.

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Good Samaritan Fund

Mark Your Calendars – Get Engaged

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Save the Dates for LUM Fall Happenings

HUNGER HIKE | Sunday, September 18 at 1 p.m. | Riehle Plaza, Lafayette, IN |

– Join us in the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally & globally — by participating in Hunger Hike 2022. Hunger Hike offers many ways for individuals, churches, groups, organizations, teams, families and companies to raise funds to fight hunger. Walk and raise funds on your own or create a Team and raise funds as a group. Make a donation online, support a Team & become a Corporate Sponsor.

Hunger Hike benefits Lafayette Urban Ministry Food Programs, Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. and St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry. If an outdoor event is not feasible the committee is exploring a virtual event. Find everything you need to start fundraising on the Hunger Hike website — go to hungerhike.org.

PORT of HOPE – the Immigration Clinic Fundraiser | Thursday, November 3 at 5:30 p.m. | Lafayette Brewing Co., Lafayette, IN

– Port of Hope is an evening fundraising event in support of the LUM  Immigration Clinic . For many families in our community the LUM Immigration Clinic is their “Port of Hope.” Please support the work of the LUM Immigration Clinic by attending Port of Hope. Port of Hope is a festive event with lots of food from local restaurants, a Market Place featuring unique experiences and items from around the world and entertainment by musicians from around the world.

TTURKEY TROT 5K Run  | Thursday, November 24 at 8 a.m. | Celery Bog Nature Area, West Lafayette, IN

– Start off your Thanksgiving day with the Turkey Trot 5K Run at 8 a.m. on the Cattail Trail Loop, Celery Bog Nature Area, West Lafayette. Runners, walkers, dogs, strollers, wagons & turkey hats are welcome.

All Turkey Trot 5K Run proceeds benefit local families through the programs and services at Lafayette Urban Ministry.

Community THANKSGIVING Feast | Thursday, November 24 at Noon | Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, IN

– The LUM Greater Lafayette Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Celebration is on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 2 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church (Lafayette). More than 800 people will be served dinner and dessert, and you may be a part of this special program by preparing food, volunteering or making a donation.

JUBILEE Christmas | Saturday, December 10 | All Day | Events at 27 Locations in Lafayette/West Lafayette, IN

– LUM Jubilee Christmas serves more than 600 families impacting more than 1,800 children. Parents visit one of dozens of churches and shop for their children. In addition to the toys and clothes, each family also receives a ham and homemade cookies to make Christmas dinner special too.

LUM Attends Taste of Ramadan

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Local Islamic Society Donates $2,000 to LUM

Last Friday, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, attended the Taste of Ramadan event sponsored by the community members of the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette with the Purdue Muslim Student Association. Wes was honored to share with the members in the breaking of their daily fast with prayer and a wonderful meal, and learn more about the customs and traditions of Ramadan.

As a part of the celebration, Wes was presented with a $2,000 gift to LUM from Dr. Humaira Gowher, chairperson of the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette Board of Trustees (pictured). LUM is grateful for the generosity and support from the local Islamic community especially from the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette and Purdue Muslim Student Association — and sends warm wishes for Eid al-Fitr with peace and prosperity to all. Eid Mubarak!

Outreach is an important part of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry. Members of the LUM professional staff actively seek opportunities to promote LUM services, recruit volunteers, and educate people on issues relating to poverty, hunger and homelessness. Directors of the various LUM programs are eager to raise awareness of LUM services, are well-informed on social and economic issues, and would like to help raise awareness in the local community on critical issues affecting low-income families.

Staff members are available to speak or set up an information table for churches, civic organization, agencies, community events, and educational groups. To make arrangements for a presentation or event, call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).

Join Marlena’s LUM Camp Leadership Team

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Sign Up to Be a LUM Camp Volunteer Counselor

Would you, or someone you know, make a good LUM Camp Counselor?

During the LUM Summer of Service, there is no better way to volunteer than being a LUM Camp counselor! Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday, July 25 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 29. 

Marlena Edmondson, the LUM Camp director (pictured) wants YOU to join the leadership team as a volunteer 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 at least 18 years old, enjoy working with children and be able to spend the entire week at camp. 

Make this the year that YOU make a difference in the lives of local children. To learn more about becoming a LUM Camp Volunteer Counselor, click HERE.

Please share with others

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