In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, encourages us to "do good" and shares that whether it's supporting Mental Health Awareness Month or participating in Hunger Hike, LUM gives you opportunities to take action and do justice. Please take 55 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a great opportunity to call on Congress to do more for mental health and suicide prevention.

Join the Campaign for Hoosier Families by emailing your US Senators to urge their support for two important federal bills that will help improve youth mental health and prevent suicide in schools: The Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Act (S.3628) and The Mental Health Services for Students Act (S.1841). 

The US Senators representing Indiana are Mike Braun & Todd C. Young; and House members representing Indiana are as follows (click on their names for contact info):

Reach out to Senators Braun & Young and your House representative by email, letter and/or through social media. Demand #MoreForMentalHealth and urge them to support and vote "YES" for The Youth Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Act (S.3628) and The Mental Health Services for Students Act (S.1841). 

Campaign for Hoosier Families is an alliance of faith-based organizations that engages local, state and federal officials on behalf of low-income Hoosier families and children. To find out more information about the Campaign for Hoosier Families, please click HERE. Thank you for helping to support Hoosier Families!

Planning for Hunger Hike 2022 has begun — and all indications are that the support is needed now more than ever. Did you know...

Hunger Hike is a community fundraising event whose mission is to Raise Awareness & Make a Difference in the Fight Against Hunger — locally, regionally, & globally. Hunger Hike is open to participants of all ages and abilities who share a common goal: Fighting Hunger! Mark your calendars (Sunday, September 18, 1 p.m.), check out the Hunger Hike website, recruit your HH team, and begin planning your fundraising. Your participation will have a much needed positive impact on eliminating hunger.

Make a difference in the lives of local children this summer and receive a $200 stipend. LUM Camp is a week-long, overnight camp program for low-income children from 8 to 10 years old. Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday, July 25 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 29. LUM Camp counselors must be:

To learn more about becoming a LUM Camp Counselor, click HERE. If you are not able to volunteer, you may support LUM Camp by making a donation or sponsoring a camper ($200 per child).

Recently, LUM participated in the Lafayette Volunteer Expo. It was a great opportunity to recruit new volunteers and invite individuals to become more engage with LUM. LUM staff were excited to share the LUM Summer of Service. LUM Summer of Service focuses on the variety of LUM volunteer opportunities offered this summer from being a LUM Camp counselor — to serving meals at the Emergency Shelter — to being a teacher's aide in the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program — to assisting clients at one of the two LUM food pantries — or working as an advocate with the Immigration Clinic and Financial Assistance Program.

If you missed the Lafayette Volunteer Expo and want to be a part of the LUM Summer of Service, go to LUMserve.org/volunteer or email or call the LUM volunteer coordinator, Terri Anderson (volunteer@LUMserve.org | 765-423-2691). {Pictured L to R: Jeffrey Auguste, LUM shelter director; Marlena Edmondson, LUM Camp director; Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, Yanina Gomez Szyszko, LUM Immigration Clinic assistant director; and Terri Anderson, LUM volunteer coordinator & office manager.}

Outreach is an important part of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry. Members of the LUM professional staff actively seek opportunities to promote LUM services, recruit volunteers, and educate people on issues relating to poverty, hunger and homelessness. Directors of the various LUM programs are eager to raise awareness of LUM services, are well-informed on social and economic issues, and would like to help raise awareness in the local community on critical issues affecting low-income families. Staff members are available to speak or set up an information table for churches, civic organizations, agencies, community events, and educational groups. To make arrangements for a presentation or event, call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).