Hello Spring! And Thank You LUM Volunteers!
Wes's Weekly Wrap Up - A Salute to LUM Volunteers
In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, reflects on the Volunteer Appreciation Reception and expresses his sincere thanks to all of the 2022 LUM volunteers. Please take 59 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others. To read more about the LUM Volunteer Appreciation Reception see below.
LUM Has Begun Planning for Spring & Summer
Youth | Assistance| Food | Homeless | Volunteer
It’s springtime again. A time of rebirth and rejoicing — when days get longer, flowers bloom, and weather warms up. Spring also symbolizes new beginning, starting fresh, and starting over. At LUM, planning has begun for spring and summer programs & events.
Youth Programs
LUM is preparing for the end of the school year, and students are spending more time outside. Enrollment is open for the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program, and the focus will be on maintaining or improving academic proficiency of each student through the summer break. LUM will be using a pre-test/post-test instrument to measure this with LUM students.
Assistance & Food Programs
LUM has seen a steady increase in the number of households needing the services of the LUM Food Pantries, Financial Assistance Program, and Immigration Clinic. Although the assistance doesn’t change from season to season, it is important to remember that families are still struggling to eat, keep their lights on, and stay housed. Some will also need help in maintaining their legal status.
Homeless Services
The LUM Emergency Shelter is open every evening. As the temperatures rise, LUM will offer a cool place to sleep every evening for individuals experiencing homelessness. LUM also offers a cool place during the day to sit, rest, get a drink of water, and a bagged meal. A kind face and a cool seat may be exactly what our neighbors need to combat the potential dangers the summertime brings.
Donate & Serve
Spring & summer means family vacations and more time spent outdoors. It is typically when LUM also sees fewer volunteers and monetary gifts. Please consider volunteering, especially at the LUM Emergency Shelter. Donations are appreciated but LUM would also love for you to attend the upcoming LUM Immigration Clinic fundraising event — Gala of Hope on Saturday, June 24.
LUM Celebrates Volunteer Appreciation Day
Honoring & Thanking 2,416 LUM Volunteers
On National Volunteer Day during US National Volunteer Week, LUM honored all of our dedicated volunteers at the LUM Volunteer Appreciation Reception. The event gave LUM staff and board members a chance to personally thank each of the volunteers in attendance. The celebration included remarks, treats, a slideshow, refreshments and music.

LUM relies on thousands of volunteers each year, who perform extraordinary acts of service by giving their time and providing their expertise to each LUM program and event every day & night of the year. In 20222,416 individuals engaged with LUM as a volunteer for a total of 17, 208 hours and 24 minutes. In addition to the impact these volunteers have made on the community, the estimated value ($29.42 per hour) of their collective hours is $506,335.69 (Do Good Institute, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland).

LUM also recognized Star Volunteers. Each LUM programs director nominated at least one volunteer from their program who made a significant positive impact in 2022. This year’s Star Volunteers are Chuck Anderson, Dawn Copas, Ann Cripe, Jessica Day, Susan Edgell, Carol Hahm, Margaret Hass, Tom & Jacob Kanaby, Cris King, Rob Patrick, Connie Smith, Brandyn Stack, Faythe Stewart, Jean Tyner, Diane West, and Melinda White.

Please join us in thanking each and every volunteer, especially the Star Volunteers.
If you wish to volunteer with LUM please click the button below or email volunteer@LUMserve.org.
ACTION ALERT - EITC Reform for Indiana
Contact Your Indiana State Legislators TODAY
The 2023 session of the Indiana General Assembly is winding to a close next week. We need your help to ensure EITC reform crosses the finish line and becomes law. The LUM Social Justice Team is calling on the General Assembly to:
  • Include HB 1290, expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, in the final budget (HB 1001). HB 1290 has already passed the House unanimously, and would increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit by two percentage points, and re-couple it to the federal EITC (which allows household to claim three children instead of two, reduces the marriage penalty, and allows more foster parents to claim the credit.) This would better help approximately 540,000 Hoosiers afford basic necessities, including housing and transportation.

You can help by calling and sending an online message to your legislators.
  • CALL your state senator TODAY: 317-232-9400 and ask to be connected to your senator. 
  • CALL your state representative TODAY: 317-232-9600 and ask to be connected to your representative.
  • SEND an online message to your elected officials – click HERE 

We need members of the Indiana General Assembly to hear from you TODAY. Thank you for leading the way through advocacy!
Join Us TONIGHT - Benefit Concert for LUM
Celebration Concert | St. Thomas Aquinas | Free
St. Thomas Aquinas Music Ministry presents its annual Celebration Concert TONIGHT (4/27) at 7 p.m. in the church (535 W State St., West Lafayette, IN). The concert is free and will include a freewill offering to raise funds for Lafayette Urban Ministry and St. Francis Xavier School in Baudin, Haiti. The concert is being sponsored by Purdue Boiler Catholics. Please join us for a wonderful evening of live music and an opportunity to support LUM. For more information, click HERE.
Gala of Hope- June 24
Homeless Services
Food Pantries
Youth Programs