In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes, LUM executive director, reflects on on how LUM offers "hospitality" each and every day of the year. Please take 59 seconds to watch the video. Feel free to SHARE.

Briton M. Weise is the new program director for LUM Homeless Services. He is responsible for the LUM Emergency Shelter and the Winter Warming Station.

Briton grew up in Otterbein, Indiana, and married his high school sweetheart, Kendyl. Kendyl is the guidance director at Central Catholic High School (Lafayette), and they now live in Lafayette with their nine-month-old son, Bowen. They are members of Covenant Church (West Lafayette), and Briton is active with the music ministry. A graduate of Benton Central High School (Otterbein), Briton earned a bachelor's degree from Taylor University (Upland) in Christian Education and anticipates finishing his Master's in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University this fall. He finds inspiration in his faith, especially this Bible passage from the Lord to Zechariah:

Prior to LUM, Briton coordinated agency relations and community outreach for the local food bank, including overseeing the partner agency program and backpack program. He also has experience as a youth minister and an adult education and ESL teacher.

He is excited to be a part of the team at Lafayette Urban Ministry, Briton has a passion for helping people and leading others to do the same. So far at LUM, he has enjoyed being able to "bring love to bear toward our neighbors in tangible and meaningful ways." For fun, Briton enjoys spending time with his family, playing his guitar, reading and woodworking.

LUM is fortunate to have someone with Briton Weise's passion, experience and connection to the community, join the LUM staff. Please welcome him to the team.

The LUM Emergency Shelter provides short-term, overnight shelter, meals, and showers in a safe and caring environment for up to 44 homeless adults each night of the year. The LUM Winter Warming Station complements these services from November to April. 

The staff members of the LUM Emergency Shelter are truly on the front line of this crisis. They manage the nightly operations of the LUM Emergency Shelter & Winter Warming Station. A small but dedicated team make it possible to offer a safe & caring place to one of the most vulnerable populations in our community — individuals experiencing homelessness.

The LUM Emergency Shelter staff recently participated in a video conference meeting to receive new information, give feedback on how things are going, and meet the new LUM shelter director, Briton Weise. The meeting was upbeat, collaborative and productive (pictured). The staff members left the meeting better prepared for another night at the LUM Emergency Shelter and excited to work with Briton.

{Pictured L to R: Patrick Renfroe, Pablo Malavenda, Noah Harley, Connie Kepner Davis, Briton Weise, Abby Lillpop, Wes Tillett, Arlether Blakney & Heather Sangl.}

Four Ways YOU can help the LUM Emergency Shelter are as follows:

If you’re interested or need more information, click HERE — or email or call Briton Weise (bweise@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691).

Lafayette Rotary is sponsoring the third annual Ice Cream Crawl giving you the opportunity to support to our sweet local community while eating ice cream. Details are as follows:

The Ice Cream Crawl is a family-friendly, delicious event where families, friends and individuals visit local ice cream shops throughout Lafayette and West Lafayette. “Crawlers” can go to any of the shops to get a free sample of ice cream or frozen custard with the purchase of your passport. For more information & to purchase your passport, click HERE — or email or call Pris Gerde (prisgerde@gmail.com | 765-427-7043) or Renee Figueroa (reneerotary@gmail.com | 765-413-2977).

Eat your favorite burrito bowl and support the LUM Youth Programs. Take a night off from cooking, go to Chipotle Mexican Grill (4030 South St., Lafayette) and LUM earns 33% of your order with the coupon below. Chipotle is also including "online orders for pickup" for the LUM fundraiser. This means YOU will be able to place your orders for pickup either through the Chipotle app or website, skipping the line and maintaining safe social distancing guidelines. Online orders will require a custom code to be used during checkout to be counted — LUM's online code: J4NCKXT.