Mission
By nurturing love, belonging and appropriate power, we foster emotional resilience, transformative relationships, and responsive communities that support adults to grow into their fullest relational potential so that...
Vision
All adults and children are empowered and flourish in life.
Our Story
Founded in 2008 by Steve Zwolak, LUME Institute evolved from the values, philosophy and methodologies embodied by our demonstration school University City Children's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The non-profit, early childhood education center has served as a transformative model of quality, early child care and education since 1970.
Way of Being
The LUME Institute team is passionate about connecting with self and others from the inside out. We celebrate learning by creating a joyful and playful space for thinking, curiosity, and wonder. We walk alongside others through life’s puddles, by being present, offering empathy, seeing vulnerability as a superpower. Sharing, reflecting, and listening deeply is our way of being. We show up with purpose, on purpose, and support one another unconditionally, creating space for all voices at our table. We are change makers and lead LUME collectively.
Core Values
Show Up
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Infinte Mindset
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Open Heart
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Play
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Power With
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Vulnerability
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Show Up · Infinte Mindset · Open Heart · Play · Power With · Vulnerability ·
LUME & Youth In Need
Youth In Need, UCCC, and LUME have been partners for more than 15 years. In 2010, UCCC became one of Youth In Need’s Early Head Start partners, enabling UCCC to offer 16 infants and toddlers the center’s top-notch education at no cost to low-income families. As a regional Head Start and Early Head Start federal grantee, Youth In Need has been working closely with UCCC ever since. In addition, Youth In Need has been a returning customer for LUME’s professional development expertise, having sought out the Institute’s teacher training for its own staff multiple times over the years. Today, the companies have officially merged, with both LUME and UCCC becoming a part of Youth In Need’s Early Learning Programs.
Learn more about Youth In Need’s Early Learning Program HERE.
Our Team
Our team is compiled of not only our cohort leaders, but also our amazing data team fueling our research and discoveries. Our team is all about showing up with purpose on purpose, with an open heart for each other and our community.