After School Program - New & Improved for 2018
New Collaboration with Central Presbyterian
At the start of the new calendar year, the LUM After School Program found a new home — the Education Building at Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette. The transition has been smooth, and the impact has been positive.

The LUM After School Program provides safe, fun and enriching childcare for up to 80 children in Kindergarten to 8th grade in Tippecanoe County. The children are transported by bus from their schools to the LUM After School Program at Central Presbyterian Church. For up to three hours each school day, the students work on homework, have a nutritious snack, and participate in craft projects, music, and other fun recreational and educational activities — enabling their parents to finish their workday. The program is staffed by a professionally trained educator, teacher's aides, interns and volunteers. All of their training exceeds State of Indiana requirements.

The new location at Central Presbyterian Church will be beneficial in many programmatic ways. Some of them are as follows:
  • Ability to separate the students by grade level for homework help and tutoring
  • Large gym available for recreational activities
  • Separate library for quiet reading time
  • Large common room (with a stage) for activities involving all of the students
  • Parking for all of the LUM buses
  • Secure entrance for student pick up
  • Space to accommodate 80 students comfortably and safely

Central Presbyterian Church is an ideal location for the LUM After School Program. Many of the benefits have already been realized, and the potential for more improvements is exciting.
Meet the Staff — LUM After School Program
Meet the Director - Amanda Bajzatt
Amanda Bajzatt  is the  Youth Programs Director responsible for the After School Program and 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program .

Amanda grew up in West Lafayette, graduated from Harrison High School, and currently lives in Lafayette.

Amanda’s education includes:
  •  Ivy Tech Community College, Associate degree in Human Services
  • Indiana University, Bachelor of Social Work
  • Indiana University, Master of Social Work

Amanda started with LUM in June 2017, and also served as a LUM intern in 2014 & 2017 as well as a LUM volunteer with various programs including the After School Program.
After School Program
Teacher's Aides
This year, the After School Program staff includes three Teacher's Aides who assist the program director.
The After School Program Teacher's Aides are as follows (pictured L to R above):

Fanesta Williams . Fanesta is from Maywood, Illinois and lives in Lafayette. She has a BA from Chicago State University in General Studies and is certified in first aid in both mental health & youth mental health.

Danny Pollitt. Danny is from Peoria, Illinois and lives in Lafayette. He has a Bachelor's from Purdue University in Social Studies Education with minors in History & Political Science.

Tiffany Finch-King. Tiffany is from Gary and lives in Lafayette. She will complete her Associate degree in Human Services at Ivy Tech Community College in Fall 2019. She has already earned 52 credit hours from Ivy Tech & Indiana University Northwest.
After School Program
Interns
This Spring, the LUM After School Program also has three interns assisting the program director.
The Spring After School Program interns are as follows (pictured L to R above):

Kaitlyn Hettinger. Kaitlyn grew up and still lives in Lafayette. She will earn an Associate degree in Human Services from Ivy Tech Community College in December and will pursue an advanced degree in Social Work.

Emilee McCracken. Emilee is from Roselawn and now lives in West Lafayette. She will earn an Associate degree in Human Services from Ivy Tech in May and will pursue a Bachelor's degree at Purdue University in the Fall.

Saedie Spikes. Saedie is from Fowler and lives in Lafayette. She earned an Associate degree in Human Services from Ivy Tech Community College, will earn a Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana University in May, and will pursue an advanced degree in Social Work.
Meet the Volunteers — After School Program
The LUM After School Program relies on a team of volunteers to work with the students and assist the program director. Volunteers are needed each weekday afternoon from 2 to 6 p.m. They tutor, read to the students, give spelling tests, supervise recreation, serve snacks and coordinate crafts.

Some of our superstar After School Program volunteers are as follows (pictured above, L to R):

  • Jane Rhoda. Jane was a licensed practical nurse in a hospital for 34 years. She began volunteering with LUM in January.
  • Bob Rhoda. Bob has a Master's degree in Elementary Education and taught in elementary and middle schools for over 40 years. He began volunteering with LUM in January.
  • Katherine Clements. Kate is a student at Purdue University who volunteers regularly at LUM as a part of the MARK Tutoring program at St. Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic Center at Purdue.
  • Marilou Warden. Marilou has a Master's degree in Education and has taught in elementary schools for many years. She has been a volunteer with LUM for several years and served as the interim program director of the LUM After School Program.
And pictured on the right, L to R:
  • Arwin Provonsha. Arwin, the "Bug Guy," has a Master's degree in Science and was a professor in Entomology at Purdue University for 42 years. He has volunteered with LUM since 2014.
  • Judy Provansha. Judy has a Bachelor's degree in Science with a minor in Biology. She worked for the West Lafayette Community School Corporation for 40 years. She has volunteered with LUM since 2014.
Not pictured:
  • Beth Dana. Beth has a BS in physical therapy and worked as a physical therapist with GLASS for 22 years. She has volunteered with LUM for nine years.
  • Joan Low. Joan has a Bachelor's degree in Education and taught German in high school & middle school for many years. Joan has served as a volunteer with LUM and as an officer with the LUM Board of Directors for several years. Joan is the current LUM Board secretary.

Special thanks to all of the student organizations and student groups from Purdue University who send their members to volunteer with the LUM After School Program especially the Purdue Pre-Pharmacy Club, Timmy Global and the MARK Tutoring program at St. Thomas Aquinas.
New Initiative — The Junior Teacher's Aide Club
Starting this year, the LUM After School Program is offering an experience for the older students enrolled in the program to be members of the Junior Teacher's Aide Club. These students will assist the Teacher's Aides and volunteers in working with the younger children as peer mentors in various and appropriate ways. The Junior Teacher's Aides will be helpful to the younger children, serve as role models, and gain leadership and mentoring experience. The LUM After School Program director is serving as their advisor. This is a unique and valuable experience for these children.
Purdue's Row-A-Thon Benefits LUM
THIS SATURDAY — All-Day Rowing Spectacular
Purdue Rowing Team presents “ Row-A-Thon 2018” in support of the LUM Good Samaritan Fund. Purdue Crew's donation to LUM from Row-A-Thon is one of the largest gifts each year.

Row-A-Thon takes place all day in the Tippecanoe Mall (Lafayette). The co-ed team members row a marathon of 26 miles in three hours on indoor rowing machines while raising funds for LUM. Stop by the Mall and check it out. Purdue Row-A-Thon 2018 is scheduled for:

  • THIS Saturday, February 17
  • 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Tippecanoe Mall, Lafayette

You may make a donation in person at Row-A-Thon or by mail. Please make checks payable to Purdue Crew Club and mail your checks to: Purdue Crew—Row-A-Thon, 500 Brown Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Thanks to Purdue Crew president, Hannah Stefanik; Head Coach David Kucik; and the entire rowing team and coaching staff for their continued support of Lafayette Urban Ministry.

The LUM Good Samaritan Fund is an emergency financial assistance program which provides our community’s neediest families and children with a strong and reliable safety net. Help is offered for utility bills, rent, and prescription medications. In 2017, the Good Samaritan Fund provided assistance 2,032 times and $115,314 was shared. 
LUM Spanish Conversation Tables are Back
Weekly Sessions - FREE - Wednesdays at Noon
LUM Immigration Clinic in partnership with Ayuda y Aprende offers  Spanish Conversation Tables, a weekly, lunch-time series — free and open to the public.
The weekly program has returned for the Spring semester and is meeting each  Wednesday from Noon to  1:00 p.m. at the LUM Office conference room (420 N 4th Street, Lafayette) starting next Wednesday, February 21.

Lifelong learners will gather each week during their lunch hour to learn and improve their conversational Spanish — and connect with their Spanish speaking neighbors. Participants are encouraged to bring along a friend and a brown bag lunch. Esperamos verle allí. For more information, email Susan Brouillette ( sbrouillette@lumserve.org) or click  HERE.
Music Ministry Concert to Benefit LUM
Presented by First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church presents the  6th Annual Music Ministries Concert in support of LUM.

The Concert details are as follows:
  • Music Ministries Concert
  • Sunday, February 25
  • 1:30 p.m.
  • First United Methodist Church, 1700 State Rd 26 W, West Lafayette
  • FREE & Open to the Public

The Music Ministries of First United Methodist Church Concert will feature 11 church ensembles with children, youth, adults, choral, instrumental, and handbells. Refreshments will be available after the concert. A free-will offering will be requested which benefits Lafayette Urban Ministry and one other local agency. It will be a wonderful afternoon of music and worship — all for a great cause.
For more information, click HERE or call 765.74.1285 or email  ewilson@fumcwl.org.