Student organizations from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law are helping to make a difference for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth in Arkansas. 

The law school’s student division of Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers, in partnership with Lambda Legal Society, made a donation of $2,500 worth of appliances and furnishings to Lucie’s Place to help the organization open the first transitional living shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth in Arkansas.

Lucie’s Place is a local nonprofit organization that provides homeless LGBTQ young adults in central Arkansas with safe living environments, job training, and counseling services in order to ensure lifelong stability and success. Additionally, the organization works to promote equality and acceptance for these young adults.

“There is such a need in Arkansas for a shelter of this kind that we decided this was the best use of our funds,” said Lauren Reiche, president of Bowen’s student division of Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers.

The appliances have been installed in the shelter’s kitchen. The items donated included a stove, dishwasher, microwave, oven, and a couch. Last week, the first resident moved into the shelter and will be able to make use of the donations.

To raise funds for the project, both organizations held a silent auction at the Barrister’s Ball in April, as well as a baggo tournament earlier this semester.

“We really strive to make the biggest impact that we can,” said Reiche. “This is the first time that we have donated this semester, but we hope to do even more as the year goes on.”

The mission of the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers is to honor, promote, and support women in the legal profession. It is a service-based organization that encourages community involvement. Bowen’s student chapter performs a service project every fall.

The organization will be holding a Fall Festival for Women and Children First in October with the Hillary Clinton Children’s Library, as well as sponsoring a team for Race for the Cure.