Tag Archives: lafayette urban ministry

Lego Sets Donated to LUM Youth Programs

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In Memory of Purdue Professor Charlotte Hyde

Tammy & Michael Conrad-Solvo donated Lego sets to the LUM After School Program for the students to enjoy and from which to learn. This gift was in memory of Purdue Professor Charlotte Hyde, who passed away in April at the age of 44.

Tammy & Michael shared with the students that, “Charlotte was from Texas, came to Indiana to attend Purdue and become a writing professor, and she earned her PhD in 2016. She taught writing, worked with many engineers who liked to built, and loved Legos a lot. She built with Legos as a hobby and used them in her classes to teach Purdue students how to be creative and solve problems.” {Pictured above L to R are Kristi Hogue, LUM Youth Programs director, Michael & Tammy.} To view more photos, click HERE.

The LUM Youth Program also received a donation from Linda Greyson of Lego Bionicles, a marble maze & lots of craft supplies. LUM is blessed to have such generous friends.

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After School Program

Be a LUM Camp Counselor – Make A Difference

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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 and be able to spend the entire week at camp. Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday, July 29 to 4 p.m. Friday, August 2. 

Join Joe Micon, LUM Camp director, in his 40th year at camp, and make this the year YOU make a difference in the lives of local children.

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

LUM Campfire Stories from Joe Micon

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“LUM Camp provides the tools children need to navigate the challenges of growing up,” Joe Micon says. “Camp is such a fun and supportive place. Campers make new friends, experience new activities and are exposed to a world of possibility. As the week progresses, you can literally see each child grow in confidence.”

Here are a few stories he recently shared with Joan Low, LUM Board President:

  • One year Joe heard the Olympic torch was passing through Indiana. He moved heaven & earth to arrange for the torch to come to LUM Camp. Each camper got to lift the torch high over their head and feel like a real Olympian!
  • Another year, LUM Camp became Ag Camp, and Joe arranged for tractors, implements, and all manner of farm animals to visit. Each camper got to gaze down from the seat of a giant combine that was as big as a house. Pictured above.
  • The year that LUM Camp focused on aviation and the science of flight, each camper got to fly in an airplane, see their house and school from the air, and experience our community from a fresh new perspective. Somehow, Joe even convinced the LUM Board that flying in a plane was actually safer than driving in a car.
  • One former LUM camper played the snare drum in the President’s Old Guard Fife & Drum Corp after being exposed to the snare at LUM Camp. Joe remembers watching him march & perform on TV during President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Parade.

Every morning the children are beckoned from their beds by the sights and sounds of the forest and the experience of chapel around a campfire. At chapel they learn love of neighbor and respect for creation. They hear scripture stories about God’s love for them and justice for all his children. After breakfast they have a full day of hiking, riding horses, boating, swimming, entertainment, and art. LUM Camp is known for its great food, outstanding facilities, experienced staff & counselors, and all the singing, skits, and activities to form fond memories of fun, learning, and challenge.
We hope that this year you will give, not only for our campers, but also in honor of Joe’s 40 years of service to them. Over four decades, Joe has touched the lives of 4,000 at-risk children. Please, won’t you give a local child the gift of LUM Camp?

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LUM Camp

Micon Speaks at Stockwell United Methodist

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Joe Micon Participates in Service & Mission Event

This past Sunday, Joe Micon, LUM executive director, participated in Worship Service & Mission event at the Stockwell United Methodist Church. It was a wonderful opportunity to educate and update the members of Stockwell on the programs at LUM and their impact and needs. It also gave Joe Micon a chance to reconnect with several current and former LUM board members and volunteers. LUM is grateful for the support that it receives all year-long from the members and leadership of Stockwell United Methodist Church.

{Pictured above L to R are Linda Morris, Joe Micon, the Rev. Mark Berg & Alan Kemper.}

Outreach is an important part of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry; and members of the LUM professional staff actively seek opportunities to engage with and educate people on a variety of issues. Directors of the various LUM programs are well-informed on social and economic issues and are passionate about helping raise awareness in the local community on critical issues affecting low-income families.For more information on LUM outreach, click HERE.

Thanks & Congrats to the LUM Spring Interns

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LUM Staff Host Reception for LUM Spring Interns

Special THANK YOU to all of the LUM Interns for their valuable contributions this past Spring semester. Best wishes to all of our interns, especially Evie Griffin, Rob Krasa & Angela Weaver, who are graduating. Evie & Rob will receive their MSW from IU, and Angela, her BA from Purdue, at ceremonies this weekend. John Schumann will continue his studies toward his MSW.

Interns allow LUM to serve our youth, clients and guests with increased efficiency and innovation. Thanks also to Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College and the IU School of Social Work for trusting LUM with the education and supervision of their talented intern students.

{Pictured above L to R , are John Schumann, Evie Griffin, Rob Krasa, and Joe Micon, LUM executive director.}

LUM Follies 2019 – Record Breaking Success

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Raising $18,000 for Emergency Assistance Fund

The 8th annual LUM Follies was a wonderful evening, and it was all in support of the LUM Good Samaritan Fund – the emergency financial assistance fund for local families. This year’s LUM Follies raised more than $18,000 (so far) — making this year’s LUM Follies the most successful ever.

The LUM Follies stage show was the best ever! The meal was the best ever! The friends of LUM in attendance ARE the best ever! Attendees bid generously on an exciting variety of Silent Auction baskets, items and experiences and made specific donations using the Pineapple Tree (community needs with donations amounts).

If you missed this year’s LUM Follies and still wish to make a difference by making a donation, click the DONATE button below.

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Good Samaritan Fund

LUM FOLLIES was successful this year because of our sponsors and a hard-working & talented team of volunteers & staff who worked together in support of the families in crisis in our community. The LUM Staff and Board of Directors wish to extend sincere thanks to our donors and the many individuals who assisted in the planning of this year’s LUM Follies including:

Special Acknowledgements

  • Our Hosts—Rev. Chris Danielson & the staff & congregation of St. Andrew United Methodist Church
  • Invocation—Fr. Patrick Baikauskas OP
  • Facilities Support—Laurie Klenosky, Berdine Martin, Cindy Nycz, Juan Valdez
  • Sound, Lights, Video—Wes White and Larry & Becky Theller
  • Entertainment—Eileen Weiss
  • Meal Coordinator—Joan Low
  • Meal Preparation—Bryn Seymour
  • Volunteers—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Harrison, McCutcheon & Central Catholic High Schools
  • Event Support & Hospitality—Joe Micon, Linda Hicks, Tricia Sembroski & Marilyn Zerbes
  • Financial Management—Gayle Koning & Eileen Weiss

Silent Auction Basket Donors

  • Individuals: Linda Dolby & Cleve Shields, Mike Johnson, Deborah Kull, Joe & Jo Micon, Mary Nelson, and Eileen Weiss
  • Businesses: Allegro Violin Shop, Caterpillar Inc., East End Grill, John E. Christian Family Memorial Trust, Inc., and Lafayette Brewing Co.
  • Churches: Bethany Presbyterian Church, Chapel of the Good Shepherd – Episcopal Church at Purdue, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Congress Street United Methodist Church, Heartland Community Church, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Thomas Aquinas—the Catholic Center at Purdue, Trinity United Methodist Church, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County

In Kind Gifts

  • Lafayette Brewing Company – appetizers (hummus, veggies, dip, fruit, nuts, tortilla chips, salsa)
  • Texas Roadhouse, Lafayette – their famous yeast rolls & cinnamon butter
  • St. Andrew UMC – tablecloths & coffee
  • St. Thomas Aquinas – ice

LUM Follies Sponsors

Gold Level

  • Denny’s Body Shop
  • Ron “Rock-Man” Jackson
  • Lafayette Brewing Co.

Silver Level

  • City of Lafayette
  • Essential Touch Massage
  •  Andrea & David Schmidt

Bronze Level

  • Cardinal Copier Solutions
  • Huth Thompson LLP
  • Steve Schrader Homes
  • Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
  • Texas Roadhouse – Lafayette
  • Tom & Mary Arth
  • James & Anna Davidson
  • Martin & Patty Jischke
  • Joe & Jo Micon
  • Arwin & Judy Provonsha
  • David & Thea Strand

Friend Level – Underwood Insurance Agency

LUM Follies Talent

  • Talent—Blue Moon Rising (Denise Wilson, director), Fred Koning, Mike Johnson, H.I.S. (Gail Polles & Ellen Wilson), Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker, Mark Buche, Kelly Jacobs, Eileen Weiss, Chip & the Old Block (Jim & Aaron Brehm), Deborah Kull & Stephen Sekoulopoulos, Charity Rankin and Tricia Sembroski
  • Piano accompanist—Guy Haley
  • Dinner pianist—Frank Rosenthal
  • Member Church affiliation of LUM Follies Talent—Central Presbyterian Church, Federated Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Mary Cathedral, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County

Earth Day at LUM – Solar Panel Energy Update

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This week started with the celebration of Earth Day. In that spirit, here is an update on the LUM Solar Energy Initiative launched three months ago. To date, the LUM Office building has generated over $1,100 worth of electricity.

In addition to the environmental benefits of going solar, the savings to LUM will potentially be more than $5,000 per year. This total includes the savings from the reduction in energy needed as well as revenue from trading Solar Renewable Energy Credits. This money will be re-invested in LUM programs & services in support of local families. This savings will also allow LUM to freeze the enrollment fees for the LUM After School Program for the next three years. As the days grow longer and there are more days with bright sun and clear skies, the amount of energy generated daily will keep increasing. Stay tuned for more updates in the future.

Exclusive Interview with Bayley, the Bernedoodle

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Reading Dog – LUM After School Program

GRRR-Ruff. My name is Bayley, and I am a six-month-old Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog & Poodle mix). My dog guardians are Nancy, Greg & Carly Emig. Nancy, Greg, Carly and I live in West Lafayette with my animal-siblings: Zoey (7 years old) & Abbey (3 years old) who are both Golden Retrievers and my best friends.

I am a big fan of LUM because the students in the LUM After School Program read to me every Monday afternoon. After they read to me, I usually give them a high-five or shake their hand. I love making them laugh and smile — and give kisses. Mostly though they read to me and we relax together. They tell me that I’m perfect for LUM because I love people (especially kids), I’m really mellow and I don’t shed or bother people with allergies.
I also visit the LUM Office every other week with Nancy when she works as the volunteer afternoon LUM receptionist. I greet everyone who visits the office and love meeting the LUM Emergency Shelter guests at 2 p.m. when they check in to pick up their passes — because I get lots of attention and they smile at me a lot. It makes me happy to make them happy.

It gives me great joy to give my human-friends happiness, comfort and hope during difficult times. I especially enjoy seeing the children in the LUM After School Program get excited about reading books and develop their mastery of the subject matter, knowledge, and their ability to apply that knowledge to the real world. It is a win-win – they become better readers and I get to hear great stories. I love those kids!

To view more PHOTOS of Bayley with the LUM students, click HERE.

Kibbles & Bits

  • In 2017, 33% of Indiana fourth graders read at or below basic level; and
  • 59% of Indiana fourth graders do not read at a proficient level-demonstrating mastery of subject matter, knowledge, or the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress)
  • Bayley and others like her provide a win-win for helping to further the development and interest in reading for our children
  • There are proven benefits of animal assisted learning with children and adults (International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health)
  • The LUM After School Program provides safe, fun and enriching childcare for up to 60 children in Kindergarten to 8th grade. In 2018, 105 children were provided academic support and education enrichment in a fun learning environment each day after school.
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After School Program

LUM Tax Assistance – Strengthens Families

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Celebrating Another Successful Tax Year

Each year, LUM offers FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance for eligible, low-income households and individuals who reside in Tippecanoe County. Some interesting statistics about this year’s LUM Tax Assistance Program are as follows:

  • $633,267 – Total Refunds
  • $568,183 – Total Federal Refunds
  • $65,084 – Total State Refunds
  • 407 – Income Tax Returns filed
  • $153,912 – Total in Earned Income Credit
  • $20,750 – Average Adjusted Gross Income

Why is the LUM Tax Assistance Program so important?

  • Lower wage workers wouldn’t be able to afford having their tax returns prepared professionally
  • Federal & state support for working families is often offered through tax code
  • If workers don’t file, significant tax credits will be left unclaimed
  • Refunds boost our local economy by increasing sales and creating jobs in retail

This year’s LUM Tax Assistance Program volunteers and staff met for dinner at the program director’s home to reflect & celebrate another successful year. Attending the celebration, pictured above L to R, were (back row) Rob Patrick, Karen Marty, Patti O’Callaghan, Andrea Schmidt, Josh Prokopy, LUM Tax Assistance Program director, & Ron Smith; and (front row) Cheryl Nettleman & Ann Pellegrino.

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Tax Assistance Program

April is National Volunteer Month

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All of the LUM programs & events rely on volunteers each and every day of the year. If you are a volunteer with Lafayette Urban Ministry — THANK YOU! We love you!

If you haven’t volunteered with LUM in a while, please remember that there are many different opportunities for you, from working one-on-one with a child to helping run the homeless shelter. Also, there are opportunities to fit every schedule, from regular long-term commitments to one time work with an event. Some volunteer positions require training while others require only a willing heart and a helping hand. As summer approaches, volunteers are harder to find — so, please take a peak at some of our current HOT needs and help if you are able — and please share with others.

LUM Follies – Volunteer

Volunteers are needed for the LUM Follies fundraising event at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, West Lafayette. Days & times that volunteers are needed is as follows:

  • Set-up — Thursday, May 2, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Staff the LUM Follies event — Friday, May 3, 4:30 – 7 p.m.; 4:30 – 8 p.m.; 8 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Break-down — Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Perfect for groups. Check out the LUM Follies volunteer online sign up sheets HERE.

Food Pantry – Volunteer

The LUM Protein Food Pantry needs a few volunteers each Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to set up, load in food, enter client data, assist clients with shopping, and break down. Good customer service skills needed and the ability to lift boxes of food is desired. A weekly commitment is requested. For more information, click HERE — or please call or email Mary Anderson (765-423-2691 | foodpantry@lumserve.org).

After School Program – Volunteer

The LUM After School Program has over six weeks left, and volunteers are needed from 2 to 6 p.m., every weekday. Volunteers are needed to tutor, read to students, give spelling tests and supervise the children. Volunteer and make a difference in the lives of our students. The program follows the Lafayette School Corporation’s regular calendar. For applications, training video, and time slots to sign up, click HERE.

Emergency Shelter – Volunteer

The LUM Emergency Shelter needs Overnight Shelter volunteers 365 nights a year from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight. Duties include checking in guests, serving dinner, distributing toiletries and maintaining a welcoming, safe & clean environment. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must attend a Shelter Training Session. Sessions are held every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. If you wish to volunteer, click HERE.MEALS Are Needed Too — If you or your group wishes to prepare a meal, click HERE.

Immigration Clinic – Volunteer

The LUM Immigration Clinic has several volunteer opportunities — and is especially grateful for volunteers who speak Spanish. If you’re interested or need more information, click HERE. LUM Citizenship Classes also need volunteers to assist with the classes or bring snacks. Classes began this week and meet Tuesday & Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m. for five weeks. To sign up to volunteer with these classes, click HERE. If you need further information, please call or email Susan Brouillette (765-423-2691 | sbrouillette@lumserve.org).

LUM Camp (7/29 – 8/2) – Volunteer

Would you, or someone you know, love being a volunteer 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 and be able to spend the entire week at camp (11 a.m. Monday, July 29 to 4 p.m. Friday, August 2). For additional information, click HERE.

Summer Childcare – Volunteer

Volunteer Teacher’s Aides for the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program are needed this summer. The program is offered Monday – Friday, May 28 through August 2, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The children are supervised by the LUM Youth Program Director and trained teachers. LUM relies on the several volunteers each day to assist in teaching & tutoring, recreational activities, reading, meals & snacks and more. Volunteers must enjoy working with children and have experience helping children (pre-Kindergarten – 6th grade) achieve academically and socially. If you’re interested or need more information, click HERE—or email or call Kristi Hogue (khogue@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691). 

Volunteer at LUM Events or As a Group

LUM Events – Sign up online to volunteer at LUM Events like LUM Follies, Hunger Hike, Port of Hope, Thanksgiving Celebration, Turkey Trot 5K Run & Jubilee Christmas. To view the LUM Online Volunteer Sign Up Sheets, click HERE.

Group Opportunities – If your group would like to volunteer with LUM, sign up for a LUM Event online — or please email or call for more information (lum@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691).

More Information on Volunteering with LUM
  • To view all LUM Volunteer Opportunities, click HERE.
  • Sign Up ONLINE — Sign up to volunteer with LUM online. It’s quick & easy and you’ll get email reminders. Click HERE
  • ¿Habla Español? Love Helping Others? LUM needs you.

Sign up to Volunteer with LUM! PLEASE SHARE with others.