Welcome Wes Tillett, LUM Executive Director
Memo from Joan Low, LUM Board President
On behalf of the Board and the Search Committee I’m thankful for the opportunity to welcome a new Executive Director at LUM — Wes Tillett . We have been blessed to find someone with a passion for service and the ability and experience needed for the job.

During the search I posed questions which would help me get a sense of each candidate’s most fundamental beliefs. What would make that person care enough to put heart, mind, and might into serving people? Wes was clear in both word and attitude about what moves him , stating, “Love is the most important thing to me. A love that’s full of action, full of grace and truth, full of justice, peace, and joy.” He believes, as I do, that service to all our sisters and brothers is a God given privilege as well as an essential commandment.

Wes also has the needed background in fundraising, cooperation within the community, working with a diverse Board, careful husbanding of financial resources, and ability to work with staff in adjusting to changing needs necessary to this job. We have found in him the competent, caring individual needed to continue LUM’s mission
Message from Wes Tillett, LUM Executive Director
Letter from Wes Tillett, LUM Executive Director
Hello ! It is a joyful honor to re-enter the Lafayette Urban Ministry orbit. My wife and I have fondness in our hearts for LUM (15 years ago, when I had hair) and are excited to jump back in, rekindle old connections, nurture new connections, and introduce our children to this amazing ministry. If you are reading this, it tells me that you are an active part of the LUM family. Thank you! Every person matters. Every act of generosity of time, talent, and treasure counts. I am grateful for how you have helped make LUM such a helpful and healthy agency that serves others.
No doubt there is some anxiety as a new person takes a place of leadership. Can we trust Wes? Is he capable? Will he change everything? Will we like him? Will he like us? All those questions are honest and good — and normal. In response to those types of questions, I reassure you that I come into this role with both a sense of humility and confidence — and a “dependence on God” to give me the wisdom to respond to the ever-evolving needs of our community.

I am excited to move back to Tippecanoe County, learn the ropes of LUM, appreciate what is, and dream about what could be. Let’s continue to lean in and serve those around us. I am eager to learn and grow, to lead and serve.
LUM Response to COVID-19 & Stay-at-Home Order
Social Distancing - LUM Newsletter Mailing
LUM is getting creative — volunteers recently helped the LUM office manager , Linda Hicks , prepare the mailing of our quarterly LUM Seed Newsletter . Since the customary way wouldn't be safe, our volunteers each took some of the mailing and prepared it remotely from their homes. Here are Jefferson High School exchange students from Denmark, Lithuania & Switzerland working on the mailing with their host family. Thanks to our Bulk Mail volunteers for going above and beyond to help LUM.
If you wish to volunteer with future mailing projects at LUM, click HERE .
Social Distancing - LUM Good Samaritan Program
The LUM Office is temporarily closed to the public, but the LUM Good Samaritan Program & Immigration Clinic are still assisting clients by email and follow up phone calls. Pictured here is the Good Samaritan Program director, Linda Hicks , on the phone, giving much needed "rent" assistance to a local family. Our community is experiencing unprecedented factory shut downs, layoffs, restaurant closings and furloughs; so, it is no surprise that most of the recent requests for financial assistance have been for rent.

If you wish to invest in the LUM Good Samaritan Program , please give a donation to the fund, which supports families and children in crisis with financial assistance.
How LUM Continues to Support Local Families
As noted above, LUM has changed the way assistance is delivered. The other LUM programs have been modified as follows:

Thanks to the hard work of LUM staff members and a few volunteers, LUM continues to serve local families as well as individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. Thank you again for your continued support of our important mission.
{ Please note : LUM program information is accurate now, but changes are expected.}
Portable Sinks Donated to LUM Shelter
Local Family Donates Much Needed Equipment
Deb & Tom Parent recently purchased to two portable sinks for Lafayette Urban Ministry. The portable sinks will be used by individuals signing up for and checking into the LUM Emergency Shelter , who will be required to wash their hands before entering. During the COVID-19 threat, the sinks will be placed outside of LUM Emergency Shelter & Office. Thank you to the Parent Family for their generous gift.

Here are a few ways you, your organization and your business can support and invest in Lafayette Urban Ministry & Emergency Shelter .
  • CASH DONATIONS are preferred because they allow LUM to purchase what is needed, when it’s needed. To give online, go to lumserve.org/donate/.
  • SHELTER MEALS — Prepare a meal for the guests at the LUM Emergency Shelter. For more information and to sign up, go to lumserve.org/shelter-meal/. You may...
  • PREPARE & SERVE meals –OR–
  • DROP OFF prepared meals (No contact drop off is possible) –OR–
  • DONATE FOOD for meals that the LUM staff can prepare. (No contact drop off is possible.) Items needed are bread, deli meats, and large cans of soup, stew & chili
  • COVID-19 NEEDED ITEMS — You may either ship or drop off items. No contact drop off is possible. Supplies urgently needed are as follows:
  • Disinfectant (for surfaces) – bleach, wipes (Lysol, Clorox), spray (Lysol), cleaner (Fantasik, 409, Clorox)
  • Hand Cleaning – antibacterial wipes, gloves (nitrile disposable), hand sanitizer, liquid hand soap
  • Paper Products – paper towels, facial tissues, toilet paper
Final Thoughts & Up-To-Date Information
Please know the LUM Board of Directors and staff are keeping those affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) in our thoughts and prayers while closely watching the evolving situation.

Information in this eNewsletter is accurate, but changes are expected.  For the most up-to-date information about LUM programs & services, please go to the LUM website -  lumserve.org .
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