LUM Tax Assistance Program in Full Swing
Spotlight on the LUM Tax Assistance Volunteers
The  LUM Tax Assistance Program  started this month and is in full swing! Volunteers are an integral part of this vital program, and today we put a spotlight on these superstars. Pictured L to R are Karen Marty, Andrea Schmidt, Ann Pellegrino, Josh Prokopy (director), Connie Decker and Marilyn Zerbes. Volunteers not pictured are Evie Griffin (intern), Patti O’Callaghan, Ron Smith, Rob Patrick, Tricia Sembroski, Ai Ai Lau, Carol Reisert, Tim Delworth and Bill Meinweiser. LUM would not be able to offer this service without the skilled, trained volunteers who make it a success each year. Special thanks to ALL of the LUM Tax Assistance Program volunteers this year.

Did you know?
  • At LUM, taxpayers get one-on-one help from IRS-certified volunteers who prepare their taxes for them at no charge.
  • You may also file your taxes online for FREE. Click HERE to get started.

For more information on the LUM Tax Assistance Program or how YOU can volunteer, click  HERE or call 765.423.2691.
After School Program - Exciting Year Planned
Meet the LUM After School Program Aides
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 school to the LUM Ray Ewry Youth Center. 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 program aides and volunteers, whose training exceeds State of Indiana requirements. This year, the After School Program staff includes three Program Aides who assist the program director, Kristi Hogue. They are as follows (pictured L to R above):
  • Mady Kirts - Mady grew up and still lives in Lafayette. She graduated from Jefferson High School and is currently enrolled in the Human Services program at Ivy Tech Community College. After she graduates, Mady plans on working in social work and case management at a nonprofit.
  • Derrick Williams-Bacon - Derrick is from West Lafayette. He earned a BS in Organizational Leadership & Supervision and a Master’s in Technology Education, both from Purdue. Derrick is also an interventionist with the Lafayette School Corporation.
  • Alyssa Bella - Alyssa is from New Carlisle and currently lives in West Lafayette. She is currently matriculating toward a bachelor's in social work from IUPUI and will graduate in May. After graduation, Alyssa will attend New York University to pursue a Master in Social Work. She wishes to pursue a career working with children.
ASP Volunteers Needed Each School Day
The LUM  After School Program relies on a team of volunteers to work with the students. 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.
Pictured above are members of the Purdue Pre-Pharmacy Club, who volunteer regularly all year long. Please consider volunteering with the LUM students one-on-one or as a bus driver. LUM needs you!
LUM Tackles the Topic of Racial Bias
TV-18 Reports on LUM Staff Diversity Training
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — The  Lafayette Urban Ministry staff is always working on ways to improve their services. LUM staff members take a retreat once a year to be educated on various social topics. This year was all about race, diversity, and inclusion. Staff members are heading back to work with a new perspective. They used Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s video on  “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism,”  as a teaching tool.

To view or read the entire news piece including comments from LUM staff members, click HERE .
Purdue Crew's Row-A-Thon Benefits LUM
THIS Saturday - All-Day Rowing Spectacular
THIS SATURDAY , the 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. The co-ed team members row a marathon of 26 miles in three hours on indoor rowing machines while raising funds for LUM.

Row-A-Thon  DONATION Options
— you may give...
  • Online NOW — to make a donation online, click HERE
  • In Person — attend Row-A-Thon THIS Saturday and give at the event
  • By Mail — make checks payable to Purdue Crew Club and send your checks to: Purdue Crew—Row-A-Thon355 N Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Row-A-Thon 2019  event details are as follows:
  • THIS Saturday, February 16 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tippecanoe Mall2415 Sagamore Pkwy S, Lafayette
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, financial assistance was provided  1,780 times , and  $109,784  was shared.
Want to Stay Up to Date with IN Legislation?
Sign Up - Campaign for Hoosier Families
The  Campaign for Hoosier Families engages local, state, and federal officials on behalf of low income families and children in Indiana.  Here are a few ways to "Stay Up to Date" with current Indiana legislation:
  • C4HF eNewsletter: click HERE to read this week's edition, which covers legislation updates on redistricting reform, payday loan interest rates, minimum wage, TANF reform & food deserts. To view all C4HF eNewsletters, click HERE.
  • Sign up for C4HF updates, click HERE
  • Check out the Legislation Tracker, which is updated regularly by the C4HF team, to view click HERE.
Music Ministry Festival Benefits LUM
First United Methodist Church - Feb. 24
First United Methodist Church  presents the 7th Annual Music Ministries Benefit Festival in support of the programs & services of Lafayette Urban Ministry. The details are as follows:
  • Music Ministries Benefit Festival
  • Sunday, February 24
  • 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
  • First United Methodist Church, 1700 State Rd 26 W, West Lafayette
  • FREE - No tickets required

The Festival will feature the  Chancel Choir and Ladies Ensemble, Children's Chime Choir, Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs, His In Song, Organ and Piano Duo, and Wind Quintet. Refreshments will be available. A free-will offering will be requested which benefits both Lafayette Urban Ministry and another local agency. For more information call 765.743.1285 or email ewilson@fumcwl.org .
Interfaith Discussion Speaker - Rescheduled
Dr. Robinson - Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church rescheduled Dr. Robertson, a speaker in the Interfaith Discussion Speaker Series. Details are as follows:
  • Dr. Stuart D. Robertson, lecturer, Biblical Hebrew, Purdue University 
  • Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m.
  • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1005 N 21st Street, Lafayette
  • FREE and open to the public

For more information, call 765-447-4205 or go to  holytrinitylafayette.com .