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 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?
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.
Since November 2018, the Simply Give campaign at Meijer has supported local nonprofits like Lafayette Urban Ministry to help fight hunger locally. Meijer in Lafayette has chosen Lafayette Urban Ministry as the recipient of Simply Give. This season, Meijer gave $5,000 in food only gifts cards to LUM for use with the LUM food assistance programs including the LUM Protein Food Pantry. Please join us in thanking Meijer by visiting their Lafayette location soon.
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.}
Last weekend, the members of the Lafayette Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered with LUM. The LDS volunteers painted the porch and outside trim of the LUM Ray Ewry Youth Center, home to the LUM After School Program, 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program, LUM Protein Food Pantry and Emergency Shelter. LUM is grateful to have such wonderful support from the LDS members throughout the year.
If you or your group would like to volunteer with LUM, click HERE to find out how to get started.
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.
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
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
Part-time | Immediate Openings | Paid – $15 per Hour
The LUM Emergency Shelter is seeking applications for the Security Staff. The positions are part-time, paid ($15 per hour).
More details are as follows:
Hours: Daily – 8 p.m. to midnight or midnight to 7 a.m.
Duties:
Maintains safety of guests, volunteers and premises; a team environment modeling mutual respect; and a professional and safe environment
Ensures compliance with Shelter Rules
Monitors arrival, departure, activity within shelter, activity outside within three blocks of the building
Disciplines guests who are noncompliant; refers guests to police when necessary
Submits written reports of daily activities and incidents
If interested—please Email, Mail or Drop-off a resume with cover letter to David Heckert, LUM Emergency Shelter Director (dheckert@lumserve.org | 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901).
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, clickHERE.
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.
The position is full-time, paid ($15 per hour). Teachers are needed from May 28 – August 2, Monday – Friday, daily 8-hour shifts (between 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.). Bachelor’s degree in Education is required, and duties include supervising and teaching children, pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade (enrollment is 40-60).
Qualified candidates should Email, Mail or Drop-off a resume with cover letter including a teaching philosophy to the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (765-423-2691 | khogue@lumserve.org ).
Last weekend, the members of the Lafayette Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered with LUM. The LDS volunteers painted the porch and outside trim of the LUM Ray Ewry Youth Center, home to the LUM 
