Lafayette
Urban Ministry
525 N. 4th Street
Lafayette IN
47901-1004

Tel:
(765) 423-2691

Fax:
(765) 423-2693

E-mail:
lum@
lafayetteurbanministry.org

Office Hours:
M-F 8:15am-4:30pm

Homeless Shelter:
Open every night.
Check-in from
9pm-10pm

Annual Report 2005

Contents
Many different people make up the LUM "family" by Mary Anderson, Interim Executive Director
2005 Programs and Services
Special Events
Financial Report
Staff

Many different people make up the LUM “family”
by Mary Anderson, Executive Director

We receive a lot of “junk” mail at the LUM office. Officially it’s called unsolicited third class bulk mail, but we all think of it as “junk.” Just like at home, we get credit card offers, “free” vacation deals, even plans to refinance our home. And just like at home, most of it goes in the shredder or the recycling bin after a quick appraisal of its content.
But it’s always fun to look at the name on the mailing. We’ve been “Ms. Lum,” the “Urban Mistry” (are we an urban mystery?) and many variations on Lafayette. One piece of junk mail did catch my eye. It was addressed to Lafayette Urban Ministry and the inside greeting was addressed to “Ministry Family.” Some computer program thinks Lafayette is our first name, Urban must be a middle name, and Ministry is the last name.

But I like the term “Ministry Family.” No, I didn’t respond to whatever they were selling, but I’m glad they consider us a family. They got that part right.

You are a part of the family. Are you a donor? You are part of the family. Are you a volunteer? You are part of the family. Are you a client? You are part of the family. Are you a member of a LUM member church? You are part of the family. Are you a person concerned about social justice? You are part of the family.

We are a family of thousands. We may not know each others’ names, and we don’t have a reunion every summer but we are connected by a common ministry to the poor. On page 3 you will see our mission statement. Please read it again, carefully. “We give back the hope, the future, and the self-respect which all God’s people need and deserve” is the family motto. “Ours is a Christian ministry that welcomes congregations and people of all faiths” is our heritage. “Giving witness to God’s saving love...by loving neighbors, seeking justice, empowering the least among us, and renewing the Church’s social ministry” is our road map for the future.

This annual report serves as our family newsletter, letting you know what went on in the Ministry Family in 2005. It was a busy year, with the usual ups and downs, successes and frustrations. Staff rearranged responsibilities, programs grew, and budgets were met. But more importantly, hundreds of people were sheltered, thousands were fed, children were nurtured and families were strengthened.

As we head into 2006 with all its challenges and opportunities, please remember that you—donor, volunteer, member church, supporting business, friend—are an important part of the family. We value your part in this shared ministry. I wish you all good things in the new year, and ask your continued support and prayers for LUM and those we serve.

Member Churches
Is your church a part of the Lafayette Urban Ministry? Membership is open to all whose faith leads to ministry among the poor.

The Emergency Homeless Shelter provided safety and warmth (and this year, the laundry room was renovated!)
Our Emergency Homeless Shelter provided emergency overnight shelter, meals, showers and a safe and caring environment for 512 different guests for a total of 14,090 bed nights in 2005. All this was made possible by the caring and dedication of over 300 volunteers and more than 60 church, community and family groups that provided meals for our guests on 332 of the 365 nights. A grant from the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation enabled us to renovate the laundry room in 2005. New flooring, counter tops, washers and dryers assure the shelter’s laundry needs for years to come! The shelter program is supervised by Joyce Boehm.

The Afterschool Program provided high quality child care
Our Afterschool Program continues to be one of the community’s highest quality educational enrichment programs. Thirty-one different children participated under the direction of Rita Tillett, Program Director, aided by more than 50 volunteers from Purdue and the community. Each school day the program provides transportation from LSC elementary schools, nutritious snacks, homework help, religious education, arts & crafts, recreation and field trips. A highlight of the year was the children’s presentation of “Aesop’s Fables” at Lafayette Civic Theatre.

Emergency Assistance helped many families
Our Emergency Assistance Program saw 1,817 families and individuals last year for a total of 3,000 visits. The dedication of our 25 volunteer advocates, under the direction of Mary Anderson, helped assure that these families avoided utility disconnects or had service restored, obtained or maintained housing, filled necessary prescriptions for medications, and received assistance with employment-related expenses. The Centralized Emergency Fund supported the families coming to the Emergency Assistance program by disbursing $112,798 in direct financial assistance. This program continues to provide the low-income community with a strong and viable social safety net. Every dollar contributed to the CEF goes directly to families in need.

Dignity-U-Wear served families’ clothing needs
Dignity-U-Wear is a clothing distribution program that provides new clothing to children. In partnership with Stein Mart of Lafayette, LUM provided 87 families with 239 children the opportunity to select new clothing items during three distribution events.

The St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry served food needs
The LUM/St. John Food Pantry saw a record number of families needing emergency food this year. The pantry filled 6,799 requests for food, feeding a total of over 21,200 individuals. The pantry experienced an increase of 100 families served this year. Over 60 dedicated volunteers staff the pantry, shop for and transport food, and clean and stock the facility.

Jubilee Christmas provided holiday joy for many families
LUM’s Jubilee Christmas, our community’s largest Christian assistance program, helped parents from 700 local families become heroes to their children at Christmas time. 1,800 children benefited this year. Thirty-five LUM member churches joined together to host 24 Jubilee Christmas Toy Shops where parents selected new toys, clothing, and gift certificates for their children. Over $125,000 worth of new toys and more than 1,000 volunteers combined to warm hearts and bring smiles to everyone involved. Under program director Patti O’Callaghan’s leadership and the help of veteran churches, a new site was added this year at Hope Chapel. It was wonderful to offer Jubilee Christmas in this neighborhood.

This year, LUM Summer Camp “rocked”
Summer Camp at Hanging Rock Camp in West Lebanon in Warren County was an incredible experience for 101 children and 80 volunteer counselors and program staff. With the theme of “LUM Camp Rocks” the children explored the world of geology and earth sciences, along with traditional camp activities like swimming, campfires, morning chapel and arts & crafts. Under the direction of Joe Micon and Rita Tillett, camp was an enriching and memorable time for each of the children.

RESPECT helped teen girls make healthy decisions
Our RESPECT Program participants meet bi-weekly with Rita Tillett to help develop self-esteem and life skills. Five young women have been part of this pregnancy-prevention program for the past several years; two others have graduated and received LUM scholarships to pursue continuing education and two more will complete high school and the program this year. RESPECT (Reducing Early Sex and Pregnancy through Educating Children & Teens) is an abstinence-based program that provides a safe forum for discussion of human sexuality, life choices, relationships and decision making.

Campaign for Hoosier Families took the lead in advocacy work
The Campaign for Hoosier Families organizes over 100 churches, organizations and individuals in this faith-based initiative to advocate for working families and children across Indiana. Patti O’Callaghan communicates legislative issues, current research and networking opportunities to help strengthen families and benefit children. In 2005, our advocacy helped extend the Indiana State Earned Income Tax Credit, providing up to $10 million for low and moderate income working Hoosiers.

LUM’s free tax assistance program was expanded
Free Tax Preparation was available from January to April, and the 17 volunteers assisted 367 clients prepare and file their forms. 241 qualified to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, with an average EITC benefit of $1,360 and a total of over $500,000 returned to the area’s economy. Special thanks to Bison Financial Group and Lafayette Savings Bank for providing expertise, volunteers and free savings accounts to participating client families. The Greater Lafayette Community Foundation awarded funds for new lap top computers for the program in the coming year. Patti O’Callaghan directs the program.

But that’s not all—LUM was busy in other ways, too
We continued our dedication to serving all who came to our doors, all who were touched by injustice, and all who were in need in our community, by:
• providing free baked goods distribution at two sites every week.
• providing information and referral to dozens of walk-ins and callers each day.
• communicating with the community six times a year through our SEED newsletter, reaching 3300 households with each mailing.
•thanking our volunteers in May for their time and talent by providing coupons for free ice cream at the Silver Dipper in West Lafayette.
• staff and board members participating in many community projects and serving on various boards and committees.

Hundreds of hikers raised over $50,000 in Hunger Hike 2005 presented by Bison Financial Group
Hunger Hike 2005 presented by Bison Financial Group and coordinated by Patti O’Callaghan was a record-breaker! 500 hikers representing families, churches, schools and community groups and led by the Purdue Crew as Grand Marshals, along with many corporate sponsors, raised an amazing $52,000. The dollars raised support LUM anti-hunger programs, Food Finders Food Bank, and the St. Thomas Aquinas hunger relief efforts in Haiti.

The Community Thanksgiving Celebration offered fellowship and food for the community
Community Thanksgiving Celebration was held again at Central Presbyterian Church on Thanksgiving Day. This year, over 800 people joined us for turkey and all the fixings. Over 150 volunteers from the community decorated, cooked, served and cleaned up. The support of individuals and businesses, and the direction of Joyce Boehm, made the 19th annual dinner a big success.

LUM friends and supporters celebrated an important 10th anniversary
On December 5, 2005, 80 pastors, board members, staff and friends of LUM gathered to celebrate our 10th anniversary in the N. 4th Street building. It was in 1995 that over 850 donors, including churches, individuals and businesses, contributed $1.4 million that made this program center building in downtown Lafayette a reality.

Since that moving day in December 1995, there have been
• 100,000 overnight stays in our homeless shelter
•200,000 meals served to shelter guests
•$1,000,000 shared in emergency financial assistance
•35,000 families receiving financial assistance
•200,000 individuals given emergency food
•16,000 children provided with Jubilee Christmas gifts
•900 children enrolled in LUM summer camp

In addition to those staggering numbers, LUM also assisted in relocating families displaced by mobile home park closings, provided tornado relief, and won important legislative changes in public assistance, school breakfast, utility regulations and free textbooks for poor children. For the past 10 years here, and for over 33 years in Lafayette, LUM has been faith in action, extending God’s grace to others and living out Christ’s command to love one another.

Our thanks, again, to each individual, church and local business who ten years ago had the vision and dedication to bring these words to life, and to all who continue to support that vision and dedication.

The following words were spoken when the LUM building was dedicated on December 1, 1995. They are still our foundation and motivation:
For those who come in need, may they always find God’s unconditional love and acceptance here. May this be a place of warmth and safety where all are valued and held in close family affection. In this place, may the faithful work of our hands, and the conviction of our hearts, be a fitting and proper offering to God. Keep us building, O God, until every child is fed, until every family is sheltered, until every man and woman is valued.

Plan Your 2006 Giving
LUM’s important work depends upon the support of over 3,500 individual friends and donors. Through general contributions or targeted gifts to specific programs, LUM’s donors feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, nurture needy children, and advocate for a more just society. During 2006 the Lafayette Urban Ministry will ask for your support for:
• Annual Fund Campaign—March 1
• LUM Camp—May 15
• Centralized Emergency Fund—August 1, November 1
• Christmas Season Campaign—December 1
In addition to the above giving opportunities, LUM encourages your consideration of our Shelter, Jubilee Christmas, Afterschool, and Community Thanksgiving programs. Gifts can be made by sending a check directly to LUM through pre-authorized monthly withdrawals from your personal checking account or by Visa or Mastercard payments through the mail or online at www.lafayetteurbanministry.org. As you plan your 2006 charitable giving, please consider the important work of the Lafayette Urban Ministry. Thank you.

STAFF MEMBERS

Interim Executive Director	Mary Anderson
Development Director	Joe Micon
Director, Social Justice Ministries	Patti O'Callaghan
Director, Youth Programs	Rita Tillett
Director, LUM Emergency Shelter	Joyce Boehm
Afterschool Program Assistant	Wes Tillett
Shelter Coordinator	Cara West
Shelter Security	Dan Keen
Business Manager	Jo Johannsen
Office Manager	Kaye McSpadden
Receptionist	Nancy Muller
Receptionist	Linda Hicks
Maintenance Director	Tom Jaques
Shelter Coordinators	Eric Sherer, Patrick Wise, Shaun Gerber, Lasitha Cumaranatunge