In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares the new LUM look. See the new logo and learn about the background and meaning behind the new brand, colors and tagline. Please take 60 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others. See below for more details.

Last Friday at a special event at Connection Point Church, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, "launched" a new LUM look, a new LUM brand and a new logo. In addition to the exclusive, first-look at the new LUM logo, the event included a tribute to LUM volunteers, who received a new LUM logo T-shirt. It was a festive event that included live music from Briton Weise, Derrick Williams-Bacon with accompanist James Dekle, & the LUM Kids Choir featuring the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning students. To view more PHOTOS, click HERE.

In closing, Wes shared that LUM is planning a grand celebration next year to celebrate 50 years of ministry (1972 - 2022). He also assured everyone that, "Although LUM has a new look, the heart and head and hands of LUM remain the same. LUM will continue to root all it does in the unconditional love of God, and continue to research, adjust, listen, learn, and improve as it serves the community." Wes then proceeded to invite everyone to enjoy the refreshments and select their choice of the new LUM logo swag. Our attendees also donated more than $1,500 and close to 100 items for the two LUM food pantries, including 56 jars of peanut butter. It was historic & festive. If you weren't able to join us, you may view the VIDEO of the event online HERE.

LUM would like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated New Brand team who worked for several months with a professional branding company to create a new logo, a color palette and a new tagline. They are (pictured L to R): Carl Booker, LUM Board Representative for Living Truth of Christ Church; Briton Weise, LUM Emergency Shelter director; Cheryl Fowler, current LUM Board president; Jasmine Dunn, community member and LUM enthusiast; and Wes Tillett, LUM executive director.

This team determined that LUM needed a new look that was clear and simple, credible yet inspirational, smart, and transformational. The new colors include a bright blue with green & orange for accent colors. The new logo meets the team's criteria plus it cleverly combines the "L," "U" and "M" of LUM as well as a cross into something that represents the "urban" focus of the ministry. Finally, the new LUM tagline is “Lafayette Urban Ministry is a faith-based, community-wide effort to tackle basic human needs and uplift the people of Greater Lafayette.”

LUM has served this community for almost 50 years. The fresh look is simply a small pivot forward as LUM prepares to "tackle basic human needs and uplift the people of Greater Lafayette" in the next 50 years.

Meet Olivia Bangert, the LUM Summer Intern. Olivia grew up and lives in Lafayette with her parents, Carol & Dave Bangert, and her dog, Fargo. She and her family are members of Immanuel United Church of Christ. Olivia graduated from Jefferson High School in 2019, where she was on the cross country and track teams. She is currently a junior at Manchester University (Indiana) majoring in Criminology with minors in Political Science and Sociology.

At LUM, Olivia is a full-time intern working with the food pantries, Good Samaritan Program, Emergency Shelter, Immigration Clinic, LUM Camp and 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program. She stated that, "I am excited about this opportunity. It will give me a chance to learn more about the needs of the community and how I can have a role in making it better. So far, I love it here. It has already solidified my dream of working with families to give them support while focusing on issues of equality and social justice."

After graduation in 2023, Olivia is planning on studying law at New York University. In her free time, she enjoys baking, making "chunky" blankets, eating ice cream, and running, occasionally. LUM is fortunate to have someone with Olivia's work ethic, passion and energy working as an intern this summer.

The pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas - The Catholic Center at Purdue, Fr. Tom McDermott, OP, recently presented a check for $8,000 to Wes Tillett, LUM executive director to support LUM food programs including the new LUM Westside Food Pantry (located only blocks away from St. Tom's).

Fr. Tom shared that St. Tom's parishioners have been very generous during the pandemic and the parish council decided that LUM would be able to distribute these funds more rapidly to support local families in need. This gift will have an immediate positive impact on families needing nutritious food items as well as providing healthy meals and snacks for the children in the LUM summer youth programs.

Join us in thanking Fr. Tom and all of the St. Tom's parishioners for their unwavering support of LUM over the past four decades. If you or our group would like to make a monetary donation, sponsor a food drive, or donate needed items, please give online or check the LUM wish list of needed items.