MISSION
Golden Rainbow is the agency of choice supporting those who are HIV/AIDS infected/affected in Southern Nevada by providing emergency assistance, education, financial aid, and affordable housing in a safe and inclusive environment.
HISTORY
Golden Rainbow® is a non-profit organization co-founded in 1987 by Bree Burgess and Peter Todd to provide housing and financial assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.
We are a grassroots organization, established by members of the Las Vegas entertainment industry who saw the need to provide housing for people with AIDS when - due to the fear and stigma prevalent at the time - one of their fellow performers was forced to live and eventually die in his family’s garage.
Motivated by their cast mates and friends suddenly becoming ill and dying in record numbers, show performers from all over the strip organized a benefit show to raise funds to provide shelter for those in most need. The first show was called "Golden Rainbow" and premiered July 11, 1987, in the Ziegfeld Theatre at Bally's. The show's name was changed to "Ribbon of Life®" a few years later it and remains one of the largest and most successful HIV/AIDS annual fundraisers in Nevada.
Proceeds from the shows in the beginning were used to help pay clients rents and other emergency expenses. Over the years, we were able to purchase several apartment buildings and a few single family homes in Las Vegas to provide shelter for our clients in most urgent need.
Golden Rainbow continues to provide affordable and comfortable housing for men, women and children who are HIV/AIDS infected/affected who otherwise would have no other place to call home. We also offer financial relief to qualified low-income people living with HIV/AIDS by assisting with payment of rent, mortgages, utilities, health-related costs, childcare, transportation and other basic living expenses.
With recent advances in medical treatment, people with HIV/AIDS are living longer; and one of the keys to ending the epidemic is to educate those with the disease on how to better protect themselves and others. Golden Rainbow’s mission now includes offering health and risk reduction services to HIV+ individuals to encourage healthy behavior, improve health outcomes and decrease transmission rates.
To accomplish our many goals, we have formed strategic alliances with other non-profit and public organizations striving to enhance the quality of life for those we serve. We remain “An Achievable Dream” for those living with HIV/AIDS.
