RISE Housing and Support Services is proud to dedicate Rain House, one of its community residences, to the memory of Laraine Desmond, who was called Rain by her close friends. Laraine was employed for over 30 years primarily at this one location serving people with mental health diagnoses. She passed from this life after a sudden and brief illness and it is with great honor as well as sadness that the agency renames the house she dedicated so much love and time to.
Laraine is remembered as a “hippie at heart” according to co-workers. She loved Paul McCartney and The Beatles. She was an avid gardener whose favorite bird was the cardinal and so cardinals are displayed prominently on the residence’s sign.
It was well known that Laraine could be silly yet she was meticulous in running the community residence. While speaking at her memorial service Jackie Knowles, the new Program Director at Rain House, recalled, “Laraine pushed people to be their best…she cared.”
While she will be missed by residents, co-workers, family, and friends, Rain House will stand as a legacy of someone who believed in the mission of RISE Housing and Support Services. The residence was previously known as Stonebridge.