LAUP gives students a real-life experience of living out their values by sending them to partner with community-based organizations that address the social issues of the city. Students live among the poor, go to church in urban communities, and are on a fixed-income comparable to the residents in their neighborhoods. In the midst of this experience, students receive teaching from a Christian perspective on the biblical values of service, justice, and compassion, as well as receiving regular training in leadership, teamwork, and decision-making. This combination of hands-on experience and training equips students to use their careers to combat the social, economic, and spiritual challenges of our world.

This past summer we saw 48 students come through LAUP working at 10 different sites throughout the city, and serving 750 urban residents. Some of the organizations included the the Harambee Center, Adventures Ahead, Lincoln Heights Tutoring Program, and Homeboy Industries.