LUM Provides Full-Day Spring Break Childcare

Wes's Weekly Wrap Up - Poverty Myth Buster #10

In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares the tenth in a series of Poverty Myth Busters. In this video, he debunks the myth that, "programs that help the poor are expensive & NOT worth the investment." Please take 59 seconds to watch the video and SHARE it with friends. To view, all of the Poverty Myth Busters, click HERE.

LUM Social Justice Ministry - Advocate | Donate

LUM Provided Full-Day Care for Spring Break

LUM After School Program - Enhanced Spring Break

For many families, spring break presents a challenge as parents balance work with child care. To assist, the LUM After School Program offers full-day care, ensuring children have a safe, structured, and engaging environment.

Last week, an average of 25 children attended daily, about 35% of regular enrollment. This program allows parents to work without worry while children participate in enrichment activities, social interaction, and hands-on learning. Activities included creative arts, recreational play, and group projects that encourage teamwork and problem-solving. Another advantage is nutrition—children are provided with breakfast, snacks, and parents send them with a bagged lunch, ensuring they stay nourished and focused throughout the day. Many may lack regular access to meals during breaks, making this support essential. Additionally, this program benefits LUM program aides, ensuring they maintain work hours during school closures. Their consistency strengthens relationships with students, fostering trust and a positive learning environment.

By providing full-day care, the LUM After School Program not only helps working families but also nurtures children’s academic, social, physical, and emotional well-being, reinforcing the role of LUM as a vital community resource. The program continues each afternoon (after school) until 6 p.m. through May 22, and monetary donations, volunteers and snack donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.

LUM After School Program - Donate | Volunteer | Provide Snacks

Three Ways YOU can help the LUM students are as follows:

Make a Monetary DONATION, click HERE
Sign up to VOLUNTEER, click HERE
Donate snacks & other NEEDED ITEMS, click HERE

The LUM After School Program needs VOLUNTEERS from 2 to 6 p.m., every weekday. Volunteers are needed to tutor, read to students, give spelling tests and supervise the children. Please consider signing up TODAY. To begin, click HERE.

IC Match Campaign - Double Your Impact

Support the LUM Immigration Clinic Today

Now until April 30, every dollar you give will be matched by local businesses up to $16,000, doubling your donation and doubling your support for the LUM Immigration Clinic. LUM invites you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of immigrants in our community. Every dollar you contribute to the IC Match Campaign will be matched by generous donations from local businesses, doubling your impact. Your support is essential, and together, we can create meaningful, positive change. Thank you for your generosity.

IC Match Campaign - Donate | Info | Sponsors

LUM Secures Stability with Green Card Assistance

Green Cards grant immigrants permanent residency, allowing them to live and work anywhere in the United States. In 2024, the LUM Immigration Clinic assisted 21 individuals in applying for, renewing, or adjusting their Green Card status.

Meet Pavel:

A Story of Hope

Pavel and his twin sisters were adopted by a U.S. couple who subjected them to severe abuse. When they came of age, they moved out, only to discover that their adoptive parents had never applied for their naturalization. While his sisters were able to obtain the necessary paperwork and file for citizenship, Pavel was not as fortunate. Without the right documents—and with his parents refusing to help—his ability to remain in the U.S. was in jeopardy. His legal documents expired, he lost his job, and he couldn’t renew his driver’s license.

Other attorneys told him there was no solution, but the LUM Immigration Clinic found a way. By requesting copies of his sisters' files, which contained certified documents from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, LUM was able to help Pavel successfully apply for a new Green Card—paving the way for his future citizenship. Your support makes stories like Pavel’s possible.

Donate today to the LUM Immigration Clinic Match Campaign and help us continue this vital work.

IC Match Campaign - Donate | Info | Sponsors

Special Invitation - IC Match Campaign Reception

As a token of our appreciation, all donors who contribute $500 or more will receive two tickets to an exclusive event — the IC Match Campaign Reception on Thursday, May 15, at Lafayette Brewing Company. This event will provide an opportunity to come together, celebrate our collective efforts, and learn more about the work of the LUM Immigration Clinic.

IC Match Campaign - Donate | Info | Sponsors

Join us for We’ve Got Talent — an amateur talent competition judged by a panel of local experts. The event features a live show plus refreshments & other surprises.

The best part is that 100% of the proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, an emergency financial assistance fund that supports local families & individuals in need. Reserve your seat or table today. Fewer than 20 tickets are available! To view a complete list of the performers and judges, click HERE.