Golden Rainbow brightens holidays at clients’ apartments

The residents of Golden Rainbow's affordable housing program had something to smile about this Christmas.

The nonprofit, which provides financial assistance and housing solutions for families affected by HIV and AIDS, adorned its downtown apartment building with donated holiday decorations.

"Everyone wants to enjoy the holiday season," said Lea Carrasco, executive director of Golden Rainbow. "Dealing with a debilitating disease and a limited income makes the holidays a tough time. The decorations are one less thing for them to worry about, and hopefully it lifts their spirits."

Golden Rainbow, founded by members of the Las Vegas entertainment industry in 1987, operates three housing complexes that are rented to clients at 30 percent of their monthly income.

This year, residents of the apartment complex near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Alta Drive were the recipients of lights, ribbons, wreaths, window hangings and yard decorations, with help from the Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood.

The mall collected shoppers' donations in December. The coins thrown into the mall's fountains during December also will be donated to Golden Rainbow in honor of Global AIDS Month. Last year's monetary donation totaled more than $1,000.

"We're big believers in the saying, 'Every penny counts,' " said Angel Williams, director of community outreach for the Miracle Mile Shops. "We hope to surpass that thousand-dollar mark this year."

A former resident of Golden Rainbow's affordable housing program after being diagnosed with AIDS in 1997, Al Hernandez helped hang decorations at his one-time home.

"These decorations help to keep us in the spirit," he said. "When you have this disease, a lot of people turn their back against you. These people (with Golden Rainbow) welcome you."

The organization's programs provide stability in the lives of people who might otherwise not have it.

"A home can be a variable," Golden Rainbow spokeswoman Leslie Rush said. "Having the luxury of hanging lights on someplace you know you're coming home to every night makes a huge impact."

For resident Edna DeJohnette, who has been living with HIV for three years, the decorations do exactly that.

"The lights will make everyone here feel better," she said. "It certainly makes the neighborhood more festive."

For more information, visit goldenrainbow.org or call 702-384-2899.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 702-383-0492.