Tag Archives: volunteer

Be a Volunteer Income Tax Preparer at LUM

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Every year, hundreds of low income families come to LUM to get their taxes done. We all know how scary tax time can be, but here at LUM it’s often a time of joy. Families who struggle every day just to get by, come here to learn they’re going to get a refund that will place badly needed money back in their pockets. And you can be a part of making that happen!

The average family that uses the LUM Tax Assistance Program earns a little more than $20,000 a year. They cannot afford to pay a professional to do their taxes, and many lack the confidence, experience, or ability to complete the returns on their own.  

Being a volunteer tax preparer at LUM can be an incredibly rewarding experience.Since, it is a small program, our volunteers have the chance to get to know their clients, and to feel the very personal and immediate reward that comes with realizing they have truly helped someone. At the same time, our volunteers have a lot of fun. Volunteers and staff get to know each other, socialize together between client visits, and help each other solve problems as they arise.

While a few of our volunteers are tax professionals, looking for a way to use their skills to help those in need, others just love the mental challenge of completing a tax return, and still others come to us with no background in math or taxes whatsoever. There have even been volunteers who started off terrified of numbers, only to discover that taxes weren’t that scary after all.

Tax tax clinics are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., beginning in February and going through early April. You can sign up for as many or as few clinics as you’d like.

All volunteers need to complete an IRS tax certification. This can seem intimidating at first glance, but don’t worry! There will be Saturday prep classes in December and January to help you get ready. And once you’re certified you can spend a clinic or two shadowing a more experienced volunteer before taking your first client. And if you run into problems you don’t understand, there’s always someone there to help!

Anyone can learn to do this, regardless of background or experience. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a volunteer tax preparer, please email program director, Josh Prokopy at jprokopy@lumserve.org.

 

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Bus Drivers Needed – Paid – Part-time

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One Hour Per Day – $20 per hour

This school year, the LUM After School Program expanded to serve 60 students from each school corporation in our area — SO — additional Bus Drivers are needed. Bus drivers transport children from their schools at dismissal time to the LUM After School Program.

  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
  • Dates: Monday-Friday, NOW through May 19, 2020, when Lafayette School Corporation is in session
  • $20 per hour, 5 hours per week maximum
  • Route: From LUM Ray Ewry Youth Center to Schools to Youth Center
  • Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
If interested please call or email the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (765-423-2691 | khogue@lumserve.org).
For more information, click HERE.

Bus Drivers Needed – Paid – Part-time

After School Program, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Volunteer, , , , ,
One Hour Per Day – $20 per hour

This school year, the LUM After School Program expanded to serve 60 students from each school corporation in our area — SO — additional Bus Drivers are needed. Bus drivers transport children from their schools at dismissal time to the LUM After School Program.

  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
  • Dates: Monday-Friday, NOW through May 19, 2020, when Lafayette School Corporation is in session
  • $20 per hour, 5 hours per week maximum
  • Route: From LUM Ray Ewry Youth Center to Schools to Youth Center
  • Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
If interested please call or email the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (765-423-2691 | khogue@lumserve.org).
For more information, click HERE.

We’re Thinking about “Christmas in September”

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Jubilee Christmas – Saturday, December 14

It’s less than 100 days until the LUM Jubilee Christmas day — Saturday, December 14. LUM is thinking about Christmas in July — because it’s never too early to begin planning for Jubilee Christmas. Won’t you please consider getting engaged in Jubilee Christmas 2019?

Four Ways YOU and your church, family, business and organization can support Jubilee Christmas are as follows:

  • HOST Families at your own Jubilee Christmas event, click HERE
  • PARTNER with a JC Host Site that is hosting Families, click HERE
  • VOLUNTEER – learn more, click HERE
    • Register Families (10/21-23) – to sign up, click HERE
    • Donation Center (12/2-12) – to sign up, click HERE
    • Jubilee Christmas Day (12/14) – to sign up, click HERE
  • DONATE – learn more, click HERE
    • Host a “Toy Drive” & Donate Items – to view needed items, click HERE
    • Make a Monetary Donation, click HERE

Last year on Jubilee Christmas Day, 1,831 children from 640 families received gifts of new toys, books, clothing, and food for Christmas Day at 27 different events. If you need more information or have questions, please go to lumserve.org/jubilee, email jubilee@lumserve.org or call 765-423-2691. Thanks…and Merry Christmas!

The important dates for Jubilee Christmas planning are as follows:

  • Coordinators Meeting—Thursday, October 10 (2 or 7 p.m.)
  • Open Registration — M-W, October 21-23 (4:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
  • Coordinators Meeting—Tuesday, November 12 (2 or 7 p.m.)
  • Donation Center Open – Monday, December 2 – Friday, Dec. 6, Monday & Tuesday, December 9 & 10 (1 – 5 p.m.) 
  • Host Sites Pick-Up – Thursday, December 12 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
  • Jubilee Christmas – Saturday, December 14
    • Part 1 – 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – various locations
    • Part 2 – 2:30 p.m. – Oakland High School
    • Part 3 – 5 p.m. – Oakland High School

If you need more information or have questions, please go to lumserve.org/jubilee, email jubilee@lumserve.org or call 765-423-2691. Thanks…and Merry Christmas!

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Jubilee Christmas

 

LUM Video – Giving Help, Giving Hope – For Your Use

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Share with Others How Much You Love LUM

If you love and support Lafayette Urban Ministry and want to share your passion with others — the LUM Video is for you!
 
LUM produced the video, “Giving Help, Giving Hope,” to be used to recruit new volunteers, engage new churches, civic & school groups, and ask individuals and businesses to invest in LUM by making a donation.
 
This video is available to the public through the LUM website, and anyone, including YOU, as well as member churches, may use the video to entice others to engage and invest in LUM as well. The video features Joe Micon, LUM executive director, and several LUM volunteers who tell heart-felt stories about how LUM “Gives Help & Gives Hope” each and every day of the year. Please SHARE with others today.
 
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Spotlight on Superstar LUM Volunteer

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Isabel Petkov – LUM Immigration Clinic Volunteer

Originally from Brookfield, Illinois, Isabel Petkov lives in West Lafayette with her parents, Chris & Ivan, and her sisters, Claire (16) & Anna (13). She graduated from Harrison High School and now attends Indiana University, where she’s majoring in Law & Public Policy with a minor in Spanish, and was a member of the Civic Leaders Living Learning Community. With the LLC, Isabel volunteered at a homeless shelter and community garden and registered people to vote. 

At LUM this summer, Isabel volunteered with the Immigration Clinic — translating, meeting with clients, and assisting the director. While in high school, she also volunteered with the LUM After School Program. The experience reminded Isabel of something her grandmother tells her often — “Tomorrow’s Never Promised.” She now realizes that every little thing she does to assist someone in need has an impact. She shared, 

“Working with clients at LUM has been eye-opening. The Immigration Clinic is really needed and necessary. The LUM staff is welcoming, hard-working and thorough. It’s been rewarding to know, even ‘I’ can help.” 

This work has given Isabel a lot to think about as she develops her plan of study at IU and starts thinking about her career and advanced degrees.

In addition to school and volunteering, Isabel loves hanging out with her friends, supporting her sisters’ activities, reading — and occasionally listening to K-Pop.

For more information on how to VOLUNTEER with Lafayette Urban Ministry, click HERE.

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Bus Drivers Needed – Each Weekday Afternoon

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Seeking Volunteers for LUM After School Program

Volunteer Activity Bus Drivers are needed to transport the LUM After School Program students from their schools to our program facility in downtown Lafayette.

Drivers are needed each weekday afternoon from NOW – May 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Bus drivers must have a valid driver’s license, pass the driver’s test for PPL, have a good driving record, and pass a physical examination.

Volunteers are also needed from 2 to 6 p.m. every weekday—as tutors, story readers, spelling test givers and for helping children in general. To begin the “Easy 4-Step Process” to becoming an After School Program Volunteer, click HERE.

Please consider signing up NOW to volunteer for this important ministry and make a difference in the lives of children.

For more information about the LUM After School Program, click HERE or call or email the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (765-423-2691 | khogue@lumserve.org).

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After School Program

LUM Good Samaritan Program Needs Volunteers

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Weekly Volunteer Opportunity – Monday Mornings

The LUM Good Samaritan Program is looking for a few volunteers who are interested in serving one morning each week. There is a current weekly volunteer opportunity each Monday morning. Last year alone, LUM Good Samaritan volunteers provided assistance 1,780 times to local families facing eviction, utility disconnects and other financial emergencies.
 
Volunteers spend 1-1 ½ hours (8:30 to 10 a.m.) meeting with clients, doing a simple intake and helping to assess the client’s emergency needs. Training is provided. Anyone with a heart for service and one morning a week should call or email Linda Hicks, LUM Good Samaritan Program director (765-423-2691 | lhicks@lumserve.org).
 
For more information, click HERE.
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Good Samaritan Fund

LUM Good Samaritan Program Needs Volunteers

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Weekly Volunteer Opportunity – Monday Mornings

The LUM Good Samaritan Program is looking for a few volunteers who are interested in serving one morning each week. There is a current weekly volunteer opportunity each Monday morning. Last year alone, LUM Good Samaritan volunteers provided assistance 1,780 times to local families facing eviction, utility disconnects and other financial emergencies.
 
Volunteers spend 1-1 ½ hours (8:30 to 10 a.m.) meeting with clients, doing a simple intake and helping to assess the client’s emergency needs. Training is provided. Anyone with a heart for service and one morning a week should call or email Linda Hicks, LUM Good Samaritan Program director (765-423-2691 | lhicks@lumserve.org).
 
For more information, click HERE.
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Good Samaritan Fund

LUM Video – Giving Help, Giving Hope

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Lafayette Urban Ministry presents the video, “Giving Help, Giving Hope,” which is being used by LUM board members and staff to recruit new volunteers, engage new churches, civic & school groups, and ask individuals and businesses to invest in LUM by making a donation.

This video is available to the public through the LUM website, and anyone, including member churches, may use the video to entice their members to engage and invest in LUM as well. The video features Joe Micon, LUM executive director, and several LUM volunteers who tell heart-felt stories about how LUM “Gives Help & Gives Hope” each and every day of the year.

Please share with your members. Thanks.