Meet A THINK Las Vegas Partner

Not much can be done without the right partners. And for Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN), one of our many partners is Golden Rainbow, which is a responsive nonprofit organization that exists to meet the fundamental needs of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Here are a few of the services Golden Rainbow provides to our community:

Direct Financial Assistance Program
The direct financial assistance program helps with emergency short-term needs and limited assistance for eligible clients to maintain an adequate living environment and medical care.

Affordable Housing Program
The affordable housing program provides permanent housing for people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada. It consists of eight apartments and a three-bedroom home, providing housing and all utilities for a small monthly rent payment.

Education - Southern Nevada Area Health Education Center
According to the Centers for Disease Control, half of all reported HIV infections last year were people under the age of 25. More than half of them were girls ages 13-19.

SLICK (Sexuality Lessons Including Cool Knowledge)
SLICK takes on a skill-building approach to reach adolescents ages 10-14 and 15-17. The program is designed to educate as well as discuss sexuality issues to cover abstinence, teen pregnancy, STIs, HIV/AIDS and teach risk education.

"Back to School" Program
This program, in collaboration with Father Joseph O'Brien at the Saint Therese Center in Henderson, provides low-income children who are infected/affected with HIV/AIDS, with backpacks filled with school supplies and gift certificates for clothes.

Golden Rainbow is also a campaign partner with "THINK," a developing education program that will educate people online, over local radio, and in local print publications. The idea is that the more people THINK about HIV and the lives behind the statistics, the less likely they will place themselves and their loved ones at risk.

An Introduction To THINK Las Vegas

In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study that indicated half of all new HIV infections in the United States are among those under 24 years of age. This study prompted Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) to partner with Golden Rainbow to begin development of an online campaign that reached young adults and increased their awareness with news, information, and educational resources.

While still in development, the THINK Campaign aims to reach young adults in order to prevent infection, increase awareness, and encourage action. The THINK Las Vegas blog is one element of that campaign.

Over time, this blog will provide weekly updates, insights, and opinions written by directors, supervisors, and support staff who have a passion to enhance the physical health and psychosocial wellness of the affected individuals as well as to help prevent infection. You will also find information about various programs and events hosted by AFAN, providing you with real life insights into the lives of more than one million Americans living with HIV/AIDS today.

AFAN currently provides support and advocacy for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada. We work to reduce HIV infection through prevention education to eliminate fear, prejudice, and the stigma associated with the disease.