Grant to help open 2nd LGBT shelter
Lucie's Place -- a service provider for homeless members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community -- will open the second shelter for LGBT homeless people in central Arkansas thanks to a grant.
The nonprofit announced that it received the $50,000 grant from Mission and Ministry Inc., a charity that serves the marginalized and poor.
The money will be used to purchase a house for a transitional living program. Lucie's Place officials plan for the house to serve as a home to eight previously homeless LGBT young adults, "where they will live and develop the skills necessary for their future independence," a news release said.
There will be a live-in resident assistant, and the occupants will have a case manager.
Lucie's Place opened its first transitional home in October. It houses four previously homeless LGBT adults.
"There is a great need for LGBT-specific housing in Arkansas, and this home was the first of its kind to open in the state," the release said.
Penelope Poppers, executive director of Lucie's Place, said there's "a strong possibility" of ongoing and future financial support from Mission and Ministry.
"From the very beginning, they 'got it' and understood why the mission of Lucie's Place is not only vital, but also perfectly aligns with their mission," Poppers said.
LR Zoo to get gift from Hiland Dairy
Hiland Dairy is continuing its history of donations to the Little Rock Zoo with $22,250 in cash and in-kind contributions this year.
The cash donation will pay for zoo upgrades, the zoo's Hiland Dollar Day that allows guests to visit the zoo for $1, and other "special events," a news release said.
The in-kind contributions include free advertisements for the zoo on milk cartons that will be distributed to elementary schools around the state. The milk cartons also are available at no cost to the zoo for use at events and in the zoo's Cafe Africa.
"Few corporations in central Arkansas have shown the type of dedication that Hiland Dairy has shown to the zoo," Zoo Director Susan Altrui said.
Genealogy event to focus on Irish
A free Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy workshop is planned for Tuesday.
The 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. event at Hillcrest Hall, 1501 Kavanaugh Blvd., is part of a partnership between the Arkansas Genealogical Society and the Central Arkansas Library System.
The Ulster Historical Foundation of Belfast, Northern Ireland -- a genealogical research agency and publisher of historical, educational and genealogical books -- also is a partner.
Fintan Mullan, the foundation's executive director, and research officer Gillian Hunt will facilitate the workshop. Topics will include an introduction to researching Irish and Scots-Irish family history using church and land records.
The workshop is open to the public, but reservations are required. Seats may be reserved by contacting Chris Stewart at (501) 320-5711 or by email at cstewart@cals.org.
Metro on 03/19/2017