University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate student Shalonda Johnson has always been an active supporter of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

This fall, she became the first intern at Lucie’s Place, a Little Rock organization that provides long-term shelter for young LGBT adults in central Arkansas. In addition to providing a safe living environment, the organization offers job training and counseling services.

“I believe homeless LGBT youth has been an underprivileged population that deserves more than what is being offered,” said Johnson, a North Little Rock resident.

Johnson might be the first intern at the organization, but she won’t be the last, said Penelope Poppers, Lucie’s Place executive director.

“Now that we’ve had Shalonda, I’ve come to realize that we need interns here,” Poppers said. “It’s been me and her against the world.”

The organization was founded in 2011 as a program of The Living Affected Corp., a nonprofit group in central Arkansas focused on HIV/AIDS in marginalized communities. By mid-2012, Lucie’s Place became its own non-profit organization and in August of this year, the group opened an office space and drop-in center for homeless LGBT youths at 300 Spring St. in downtown Little Rock.

At Lucie’s Place, Johnson helps clients obtain necessities such as hygiene products, cellphones with available minutes, toiletries, food, and bus passes. She also assists clients in their search for jobs and in creating resumes to secure employment.

Since 2012, the organization has assisted 130 homeless individuals with a variety of services. It helps about 45 to 50 people annually.

Johnson spends 15 hours a week at the organization and provides help as needed, but most of her time is devoted to building relationships by listening and talking to people served by the organization about concerns they might have.

A graduate student in her last year in the UALR rehabilitation counseling program, Johnson wants to help women, substance abuse victims, and the LGBT community after graduation.

Johnson has enjoyed the Lucie’s Place environment.

“I appreciate the atmosphere where no one is there to judge the other, but to help one another,” she said. “I have witnessed many clients lift one another up. It is apparent that they are and have been one another’s backbone.”