April is National Volunteer Month
All of the LUM programs & events rely on volunteers each and every day of the year. If you are a volunteer with Lafayette Urban Ministry —  THANK YOU! We love you!

If you haven't volunteered with LUM in a while, please remember that there are many different opportunities for you, from working one-on-one with a child to helping run the homeless shelter. Also, there are opportunities to fit every schedule, from regular long-term commitments to one time work with an event. Some volunteer positions require training while others require only a willing heart and a helping hand. As summer approaches, volunteers are harder to find — so, please take a peak at some of our current HOT needs and help if you are able — and please share with others.
LUM Follies - Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for the  LUM Follies fundraising event at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, West Lafayette. Days & times that volunteers are needed is as follows:
  • Set-up — Thursday, May 2, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Staff the LUM Follies event — Friday, May 3, 4:30 – 7 p.m.; 4:30 – 8 p.m.; 8 - 9:30 p.m.
  • Break-down — Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Perfect for groups. Check out the LUM Follies volunteer online sign up sheets  HERE .
Food Pantry - Volunteer
The LUM Protein Food Pantry  needs a few volunteers each Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to set up, load in food, enter client data, assist clients with shopping, and break down. Good customer service skills needed and the ability to lift boxes of food is desired. A weekly commitment is requested. For more information, click  HERE  — or please call or email Mary Anderson (765-423-2691 |  foodpantry@lumserve.org ).
After School Program - Volunteer
The LUM  After School Program  has over six weeks left, and volunteers are needed from  2 to 6 p.m. , every weekday . Volunteers are needed to tutor, read to students, give spelling tests and supervise the children. Volunteer and make a difference in the lives of our students. The program follows the Lafayette School Corporation’s regular calendar. For applications, training video, and time slots to sign up, click  HERE .
Emergency Shelter - Volunteer
The LUM  Emergency Shelter  needs Overnight Shelter volunteers  365 nights a year from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight . Duties include checking in guests, serving dinner, distributing toiletries and maintaining a welcoming, safe & clean environment. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must attend a Shelter Training Session. Sessions are held every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. If you wish to volunteer, click HERE .
MEALS Are Needed Too  — If you or your group wishes to prepare a meal, click  HERE .
Immigration Clinic - Volunteer
The LUM  Immigration Clinic  has several volunteer opportunities — and is especially grateful for volunteers who speak Spanish. If you’re interested or need more information, click  HERE . LUM Citizenship Classes also need volunteers to assist with the classes or bring snacks. Classes began this week and meet Tuesday & Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m. for five weeks. To sign up to volunteer with these classes, click HERE . If you need further information, please call or email Susan Brouillette ( 765-423-2691 |  sbrouillette@lumserve.org ).
LUM Camp (7/29 - 8/2) - Volunteer
Would you, or someone you know, love being a volunteer  LUM Camp Counselor ?
LUM Camp is a week-long, over-night camp program for low-income children from 8 to 10 years old. Volunteer camp counselors must be 18 years old, enjoy working with children and be able to spend the entire week at camp (11 a.m. Monday, July 29 to 4 p.m. Friday, August 2 ). For additional information, click  HERE .
Summer Childcare - Volunteer
Volunteer Teacher's Aides for the LUM  5th Quarter Summer Learning Program  are needed this summer. The program is offered  Monday – Friday, May 28 through August 2 , from  6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The children are supervised by the LUM Youth Program Director and trained teachers. LUM relies on the several volunteers each day to assist in teaching & tutoring, recreational activities, reading, meals & snacks and more. Volunteers must enjoy working with children and have experience helping children (pre-Kindergarten - 6th grade) achieve academically and socially. If you’re interested or need more information, click  HERE —or email or call Kristi Hogue ( khogue@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691). 
Volunteer at LUM Events or As a Group
LUM Events - Sign up online to volunteer at LUM Events like  LUM Follies , Hunger Hike , Port of Hope , Thanksgiving Celebration , Turkey Trot 5K Run & Jubilee Christmas . To view the LUM Online Volunteer Sign Up Sheets, click  HERE .

Group Opportunities - If your group would like to volunteer with LUM, sign up for a LUM Event online — or please email or call for more information ( lum@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691 ).

More Information on Volunteering with LUM
  • To view all LUM Volunteer Opportunities, click HERE.
  • Sign Up ONLINE — Sign up to volunteer with LUM online. It’s quick & easy and you’ll get email reminders. Click HERE
  • ¿Habla Español? Love Helping Others? LUM needs you.

Sign up to Volunteer with LUM! PLEASE SHARE with others.
LUM Tax Assistance - Strengthens Families
Celebrating Another Successful Tax Year
Each year, LUM offers FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance for eligible, low-income households and individuals who reside in Tippecanoe County. Some interesting statistics about this year’s LUM Tax Assistance Program are as follows:
  • $633,267 – Total Refunds
  • $568,183 – Total Federal Refunds
  • $65,084 – Total State Refunds
  • 407 – Income Tax Returns filed
  • $153,912 – Total in Earned Income Credit
  • $20,750 – Average Adjusted Gross Income

Why is the LUM Tax Assistance Program so important?
  • Lower wage workers wouldn’t be able to afford having their tax returns prepared professionally
  • Federal & state support for working families is often offered through tax code
  • If workers don’t file, significant tax credits will be left unclaimed
  • Refunds boost our local economy by increasing sales and creating jobs in retail

This year's LUM  Tax Assistance Program volunteers and staff met for dinner at the program director's home to reflect & celebrate another successful year. Attending the celebration, pictured above L to R, were (back row) Rob Patrick, Karen Marty, Patti O’Callaghan, Andrea Schmidt, Josh Prokopy, LUM Tax Assistance Program director, & Ron Smith; and (front row) Cheryl Nettleman & Ann Pellegrino.
LUM wishes you & your family a wonderful Easter weekend.
Please note: the LUM Office will be closed on Friday, April 19 for Good Friday — but the LUM After School Program & Emergency Shelter will be open regular hours.