In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, reflects on how "awesome" the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration was this past Friday — and encourages you to check out the photos & videos from the evening. Please take 54 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others.

Last Friday, the friends of Lafayette Urban Ministry gathered at the Long Center (Lafayette, IN) for the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration. The event honored the legacy of Lafayette Urban Ministry with a lighthearted evening filled with uplifting stories, live entertainment, refreshments & good company. 

The attendees filled the Long Center and included leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors and clients spanning the entire 50 year history of LUM. They were fully engaged the entire evening, often singing along and on their feet with excitement. The program was hosted by LUM executive director, Wes Tillett. There were several visual presentations with congratulatory messages; client stories; and the oral history of LUM past and present featuring former LUM executive directors the Rev. Jud Dolphin and Joe Micon. One of the highlights of the evening was the live entertainment, which spotlighted Onyx Uzomah & Derrick Williams-Bacon, Linda Hicks & friends (Jim Brehm, Sharon McKnight, Sam Cody & Hunt Wiley), Briton Weise, the LUM Children’s Chorus, LUM Ecumenical Choir directed by Eileen Weiss as well as Jeff Goodspeed (piano) and Larry Guentert (drums) on accompaniment throughout the event. The evening also included volunteer recognition and 2021 LUM Star Volunteer awards presented by the Rev. Dr. Gladys Nwabah and Rev. Lucia Oerter.

It was a grand, inspiring event fitting for commemorating the 50th anniversary of LUM becoming an official nonprofit serving Greater Lafayette.

50th Anniversary - | Donate  | Photos | Videos | Event Sponsors  |

The LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration kicks off a yearlong series of events commemorating LUM becoming a recognized nonprofit in 1972. If you are not able to attend this event, you still have an opportunity to invest in the next 50 years of Lafayette Urban Ministry in its quest to “tackle basic human needs and uplift the people of Greater Lafayette.” One hundred percent of the net proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, which provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis. To make a 50th anniversary donation to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, click the button below, go to LUMserve.org/50th-anniversary or call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).

No one in our community should have to spend the night outdoors in the harsh weather of the winter months — especially during a global pandemic. Since November 15, LUM Winter Warming Station was open from midnight to 7 a.m. and allowed individuals to be in a safe indoor warm space. Each guest was also provided with coffee, water, and a bagged meal to take with them in the morning. This winter, the Winter Warming Station served more than 226 individuals for 1,390 bed-nights, and 78 guests were new to LUM.

Serving individuals experiencing homelessness during COVID-19 took detailed planning and additional staffing. This winter was colder than usual with 24 days of dangerously cold temperatures. On these nights, LUM provided buses from the local day shelter to the LUM Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station and opened three hours early (at 9 p.m.).

Now that the spring season has arrived the LUM Winter Warming Station is closed until it is needed again in mid-November. LUM persisted and prevailed despite all of the many challenges presented by the harsh weather and the COVID-19 resurgence. Thanks to each overnight shelter volunteer as well as the families, groups, individuals, businesses, and churches who provided meals for the Emergency Shelter and the Winter Warming Station.

As a part of their national initiative, "Operation AKA Assist," the members of the Epsilon Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Purdue created 40 baskets for LUM to distribute to our clients experiencing homelessness. The baskets included snacks, personal hygiene items and an encouraging note from the students. In addition to assembling the baskets, their event included teaching the members about homelessness and the mission and programs of LUM.

Mamie Johnson, secretary, and Anyah Cork, chaplain, recently delivered the baskets to LUM on behalf of their sorority (pictured). The baskets have already been distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness through the LUM Emergency Shelter and Protein Food Pantry. LUM is grateful to have the support of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and appreciate that they took the time to learn more about homelessness in their university community. If you or your organization wishes to make a donation of "needed items" to LUM, please check out the LUM Wish List. Thanks again to the members of the Epsilon Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Purdue.

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