In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares Patrick's journey from shelter guest to shelter staff member. He also THANKS you for your support of the LUM Emergency Shelter and for making Patrick's transformation possible. Please take 59 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others.

When I think about the LUM Emergency Shelter, the word “synergy” comes to mind. Synergy is happening whenever 1+ 1 = more than 2. 

Since 1984, many local churches in Greater Lafayette have been pooling their resources in order to provide safe, clean, nurturing overnight shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness. These churches could not start or sustain such an endeavor individually. But these churches and many other organizations and individuals have joined in supporting the LUM Emergency Shelter over the past decades. They have have partnered together with LUM for 37 years (and counting) to provide overnight emergency shelter 365 nights a year (366 nights for leap years) for more than...

Will you help us continue to serve those in our community who are experiencing homelessness?  Your gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 to the LUM Emergency Shelter will help LUM continue to provide help and hope to those experiencing homelessness. 

This synergy has made an impact on individuals such as Patrick Renfroe. In 2016, Patrick became a guest at the LUM Emergency Shelter, seeking to break free from his 45 years of substance abuse. At the LUM Emergency Shelter, he found a place that was clean, friendly, and supportive of his journey toward being clean. By utilizing various substance abuse services connected through LUM, Patrick was able to break the chains of addiction as well as find steady employment. Through the LUM “Match Program” by which LUM matches dollar-for-dollar money set aside for permanent housing, Patrick was able to move into a home of his own. Today, five years later, Patrick is an outstanding employee of the LUM Emergency Shelter, welcoming guests, supporting them on in their own journey toward permanent housing and greater freedom. He proudly shares that he has been clean for more than three years and three months.

It is energizing to witness the positive changes in the life of Patrick Renfroe and hundreds of others like him who have benefited from the ministry of the LUM Emergency Shelter. The hospitality and impact of the LUM Emergency Shelter has been remarkable. The whole adds up to more than the sum of the individual parts. That’s “synergy.” Please, will you make a generous financial gift to the LUM Emergency Shelter, so that we can offer that “glimmer of light” to our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Greater Lafayette?

The LUM Emergency Shelter is directed by Jeffrey Auguste. Under Jeffrey’s leadership, LUM continues to address the complex problems facing our guests who are experiencing chronic homelessness. Addiction, mental illness, unwise choices, emotional and physical disabilities are difficult to overcome. But the LUM staff members faithfully serve all guests, opening them up to brighter days ahead. Jeffrey’s personal mission offers some inspiration: "I aim to give back hope, offering a glimmer of light to those who are under-served, allowing them to believe in a better future for themselves.” 

In the first eight months of 2021, the LUM Emergency Shelter provided that “glimmer of light” to more than 250 new guests, in the form of 5,500 overnight stays. Of course all of this was in the midst of the ongoing global pandemic. And all of this was made possible through the leadership of Jeffrey, the passion of Patrick, and the financial generosity of people like YOU!

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

Sign up now for Hunger Hike 2021, and help fight hunger! Let’s beat last year’s record and raise $125,000 for the hunger relief efforts locally, regionally & globally. Hunger Hike details are as follows:

For more information, check out our short video, “How to Set Up your Hunger Hike Fundraising Page.” It's only 17 days to Hunger Hike. Why wait? Start a team and start raising funds. Get started TODAY!

Join us at Chipotle (South Street, Lafayette, IN) on Tuesday, September 21 from 5-9 p.m. — and the LUM After School Program gets 33% of all orders, if you present this COUPON (pictured). It’s easy! Print the coupon or show it on your phone, order your favorite Chipotle meal (burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, salads or kids meals), don’t forget to get chips, guac’, and a drink — and LUM gets 33%.

So — plan to eat out on Tuesday, September 21 — all for a GREAT CAUSE — the students enrolled in the LUM After School Program.