In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, introduces a video featuring a family from the Ukraine sharing their immigration story and how the LUM Immigration Clinic helped them. Please take a minute to watch the video and SHARE with others.

If you wish to invest in the work of the LUM Immigration Clinic, check out the unique opportunity to double your impact by participating in the IC Match Campaign now through April 22. See below for more information.

Mason McConnell Curry (they/them) is the new director for LUM Homeless Services. They are responsible for the LUM Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station. 

Mason comes to LUM with extensive experience with the unhoused & unsheltered. They were born in Athens, Georgia, and grew up in Atchison, Kansas, with their mother, father, and younger brother and sister. At LUM, Mason has volunteered at the Community Thanksgiving Feast.

Mason earned a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sociology from Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO). They have experience in homeless services working as the program manager at City Hope, St. Louis, MO; and as the cofounder of the SLU Winter Emergency Shelter. Mason’s personal mission is to create a more compassionate world for those experiencing homelessness. They shared that, “The world should be kinder, and there should be systems of care in place for people experiencing any kind of difficulty. My part in that is to create and maintain systems of care for people experiencing homelessness.”

LUM is fortunate to have Mason McConnell Curry join the LUM leadership team.

Support the LUM Immigration Clinic Match Campaign. It is down to the final stretch. Until April 22, the IC Match Campaign gives you the opportunity to "double your donation" and "double your impact." For every dollar you contribute to the LUM Immigration Clinic, several local businesses have pledged to match your gift up to $16,500. To donate NOW, click HERE.

Recently, the LUM Immigration Clinic helped a Ukrainian family (pictured) extend their stay in the US and obtain permission to travel back to Ukraine to visit loved ones without jeopardizing their visa status. LUM Immigration Clinic staff compiled the application and made multiple trips to the Ukrainian consulate in Chicago to advocate for the family and help them through the complex process. The family shared that, "The legal and emotional support that LUM has given us is beyond what we expected and has helped in securing a good and safe life and future." To read the full story by Cole Crider, click HERE.

In 2023, the LUM Immigration Clinic assisted five individuals with travel authorization applications, most of whom were facing family emergencies. To donate NOW, click HERE.

SPECIAL EVENT! Every donor who gives $500 or more will be invited to attend to the IC Match Campaign Reception on Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Lafayette Brewing Company (2nd floor event space). This reception will provide good food and drinks with a chance to mingle with other Immigration Clinic supporters and learn more about what the Immigration Clinic is doing. Consider giving more to attend. To donate NOW, click HERE.

IMMIGRATION QUIZ! Think you know a lot about immigration? What's your immigration IQ? Take the LUM Immigration Quiz TODAY and be entered to WIN a prize! To donate NOW, click HERE.

TICKETS | TALENT | JUDGES | INFO

Join us for We’ve Got Talent — featuring local acts ranging from musicians to comedians and even a magician. The event will include heavy appetizers, desserts & other surprises, but the best part is that 100% of the proceeds go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, an emergency financial assistance fund that supports local families & individuals in need. Get your We’ve Got Talent tickets TODAY. There is limited seating, and tickets are going fast.

For more about the We’ve Got Talent event, including the performers, judges, sponsors & more, click HERE.

Four Ways YOU can help the LUM Emergency Shelter are as follows:

Currently there are openings for Overnight Shelter Volunteers. Volunteers are needed 365 nights a year from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight. Duties include check-in, serve dinner, and distribute toiletries. Volunteers must be able to maintain confidentiality, interact with our guests, and be at least 18 years old. If you’re interested or need more information, click the button below.