Polar Vortex: Impact on LUM Homeless Guests
LUM Severe Winter Weather Protocol
Lafayette Urban Ministry has a shelter protocol for severely cold and snowy weather. LUM provides bus transportation from the local day shelter to the  LUM Emergency Shelter  and the  LUM Winter Warming Station  on evenings with dangerous wind-chill temperatures.

Due to severe weather conditions this week, buses were available to transport guests from the local day shelter to the LUM Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station at 8:30 p.m. Additionally, the Winter Warming Station opened at 9 p.m. (three hours earlier) on these nights.

Special thanks to ALL of our LUM shelter volunteers especially our bus drivers.
LUM Volunteers Receive Service Award
Provonshas Honored for Work with LUM Students
Two LUM volunteers were awarded the Jefferson Award for Public Service by Chris Morrisey-Vizza from Star City Broadcasting. Arwin & Judy Provonsha are being honored for their work with the students enrolled in the LUM After School Program.

Arwin , the “Bug Guy,” has a Master’s degree in Science and was a professor in Entomology at Purdue University for 42 years.
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. Arwin & Judy have volunteered with the After School Program since 2014 and are currently featured in the LUM promotional video, " Giving Help, Giving Hope. "

LUM and our students are so very fortunate to have such loving, talented and hard working volunteers like Judy & Arwin – "giving help & giving hope." To view the video story, produced by Star City Broadcasting, featuring the Provonshas accepting this prestigious award, click the image above.
Meet the Staff at Lafayette Urban Ministry
Lafayette Urban Ministry depends on volunteers and donations from individuals like you to be successful. But behind the scenes of every great nonprofit is a small but dedicated team of staff members who provide the day-to-day management and leadership to carry out the organization’s mission. LUM is fortunate to have an experienced, hard working team who believe strongly in the  LUM mission  while engaging and training volunteers. To learn more about each LUM staff member including their education, click HERE .
Current LUM staff members include:
  • Joe Micon is the Executive Director & LUM Camp Director
  • Rev. Susan Brouillette is Program Director for the Social Justice Ministry, including the Immigration Clinic & Campaign for Hoosier Families, and is the LUM Chaplain
  • Connie Decker is the Receptionist
  • Marlena Edmondson is the Assistant Program Director of LUM Camp
  • Nate Gick is the Maintenance Director & Custodian
  • David Heckert is the Emergency Shelter Director
  • Linda Hicks is the Good Samaritan Program Director & Office Manager
  • Kristi Hogue is the Youth Programs Director
  • Gayle Koning is the Assistant Business Manager
  • Pablo Malavenda is the Program Director for LUM Follies, Hunger Hike & Jubilee Christmas, and Webmaster, IT director & Executive Assistant for Social Media
  • Victor Mite is the Assistant Program Director for Immigration Clinic
  • Kathy Parker is the Program Director for the Greater Lafayette Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Celebration
  • Josh Prokopy is the Program Director for the Tax Assistance Program and Turkey Trot 5K Run
  • Eileen Weiss is the Business Manager
Purdue Crew's Row-A-Thon Benefits LUM
All-Day Rowing Spectacular in the Mall
Purdue Rowing Team presents “Row-A-Thon 2019” 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 2019 is scheduled for:
  • Saturday, February 16
  • 9 a.m. to 6 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,  355 N. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Thanks to Purdue Crew president, Brendan Doherty ; 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 2018, the Good Samaritan Fund provided assistance 1,780 times and $109,784 was shared.
LUM Baskets Wins - $400 Donated to LUM
Richelle in a HandBasket - "Let's Bid!" Fundraiser
This week, Richelle from Richelle in a HandBasket presented Joe Micon, LUM executive director, with a check for $400. Richelle in a HandBasket in collaboration with Greater Lafayette Commerce coordinated a fundraiser in which individuals and companies were invited to bid on four gift baskets, each designed by a staff member of Greater Lafayette Commerce with a designated charitable organization. Kim Murray selected LUM as the charity for her basket -- and it WON! Kim shared that she selected LUM because her children are enrolled in the LUM After School Program – and they love it!

Special thank you to Richelle in a HandBasket for coordinating the fundraising event and matching the highest bidder. Thanks also to Greater Lafayette Commerce, Kim Murray and the highest bidder, Dave Mecklenburg. To view the video of the check presentation, click the image above.