In this edition of Wes’s Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, highlights the positive impact of young international students & scholars who recently visited LUM to learn and serve. Please take 59 second to watch this video—and consider sharing it with others. For more details, see the stories below.

Last week, more than 50 bright & energetic “transatlantic fellows” from the 2025 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute at Purdue University spent a morning making a big impact at LUM.

As part of their BFTF Summer of Service Day, these remarkable students—ages 16 to 18 and hailing from across Europe and the United States—engaged in a hands-on introduction to LUM’s mission, programs, and deep roots in the community. After a brief orientation, they jumped right in—cleaning, organizing, and beautifying our buildings, grounds, and the surrounding Historic Centennial Neighborhood.

The BFTF Institute is all about international exchange, civic engagement, and leadership—and LUM was thrilled to be a stop on their journey. Thanks to every fellow and staff member who participated—especially Professor Anatoli Rappaport for making it happen and believing in the power of service.

Want to follow in their footsteps? Sign up for a LUM Deep Cleaning Day. To view more PHOTOS from their day, click HERE. Together, we’re building bridges—across the globe and across the river.

Lafayette Urban Ministry is deeply grateful to Federated Church (West Lafayette, IN) for their generous gift of $25,000 in support of LUM Homeless Services including the Emergency Shelter. The donation was presented by Jim Rawlings, representing the Federated Church Endowment Board, to Steve Mogensen, LUM Donor Engagement director (pictured L to R).

This support comes at a critical time, as requests for shelter beds have increased dramatically in recent months. Federated Church stepped up to help cover essential operating costs and facility improvements—while also hoping to inspire others to give. This gift is one example of how Federated Church regularly impacts the Greater Lafayette community through LUM—from food assistance to Jubilee Christmas and beyond. But this contribution, in particular, will have a lasting and life-saving impact on our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Thank you, Federated Church, for your leadership, generosity, and faithful commitment to serving our neighbors in need, including the unhoused.

If you're inspired by Federated Church and want to join them in supporting the LUM Emergency Shelter, please consider giving online or reaching out to Steve Mogensen directly at smogensen@lumserve.org.

Participants from the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Institute at Purdue University recently visited students in the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program. Name (country), name (country), name (country), and name (country) spent the afternoon talking with students about what life is like for kids in their home countries—sharing fun facts, favorite games, school traditions, and stories from Africa.

Pictured above left to right: Bellarose Kozy, Purdue student intern; Arame Niang (Senegal); Mohamed Samu (Sierra Leone); Wes Tillett, LUM executive director; Kehemetswe Manake (Botswana); Salohy Andrianoronjatovo (Madagascar); and Ben Muchedzi (Zimbabwe).

This meaningful exchange, made possible by Purdue’s Lonni Kucik and Carole Braund, reflects LUM’s commitment to fostering global learning experiences. The LUM 5th Quarter students and staff value—and are continually inspired by—this annual visit from the Fellows. For more PHOTOS of their visit, click HERE.

Jump into the LUM Summer of Service — where your time turns into real impact, and your energy helps build a stronger, more compassionate community. Whether you’re passionate about food, kids, care, or simply lending a hand where it’s needed most, LUM has a place for you this summer. Already this season, we’ve been inspired by generous acts of service from Federated Church, the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows, and the Mandela Washington Fellows. Also, Northview Church made a lasting impact by providing a generous $900 gift sending three local children to LUM Camp, preparing an Emergency Shelter meal (pictured left) & assembling & donating snack bags for the children in our LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program (pictured right). Thank you, Northview Church!

And now—it’s your turn. Whether you come on your own or bring a friend, you’ll make a real difference—and have fun doing it. It’s not too late to jump in, give back, and be part of something meaningful this summer. Let’s make this a summer of impact, joy, and community—together. Visit LUMserve.org/volunteer or reach out to the LUM volunteer coordinator, Terri Anderson, at volunteer@LUMserve.org or 765-423-2691.