ACT Summer Newsletter

AIDS Committee of Toronto

News Summer 2010

VOLUNTEER ISSUE

We’re proud of our volunteers.

Last year, ACT volunteers contributed 22,824 hours helping

Since our founding in 1983, the AIDS Committee of Toronto

work depending on their contributions, we want to ensure the

(ACT) has been driven by volunteers. From our first board of

best possible volunteer experience.

to deliver our programs and services. With so much of our

directors to our buddy program to the hundreds of outreach volunteers, our work depends on the energy, effort and

We support our volunteers through skills training, ongoing

knowledge of people in the community who donate their time

support, and this year we completed a volunteer satisfaction

to support people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

survey to identify ways to improve our volunteer opportunities.

WANT To volunteer with act? Get in touch with us!

BOB B Y

Sergio Martinez Program Volunteer Resources Manager

Bobby Hrehoruk Development Volunteer Coordinator

Sergio has been with ACT for over 10 years, and in his current role he supports volunteers delivering our support services and education programs.

Bobby has been with ACT for three years, first starting in the Development Department as Finance Officer.

He facilitates the Core Skills Training program for new volunteers and staff, which outlines key concepts from active listening skills to cultural competency. The training, which runs over several weeks, brings in experts on HIV/AIDS and other subjects to provide volunteers of ACT and the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation with the most up-to-date information on a variety of topics.

If you want to contribute to ACT programs as a volunteer, you can contact Sergio at smartinez@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 224.

He now coordinates volunteer activities for all ACT fundraising initiatives, from the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life to the annual SNAP! photographic art auction.

He also works with third parties organizing fundraising events for ACT. If you would like to volunteer in the Development Department to help raise funds for ACT, get in touch with Bobby at bhrehoruk@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 255.

ACT Newsletter | 2

ACT Volunteer Satisfaction and Experience

48% proportion of respondents between the ages of 40 and 59.

27% of respondents were women.

65% respondents who identify as gay or lesbian.

53% proportion of respondents who identify as HIV-negative.

18% respondents who are on disability support.

27% of respondents contribute more than 14 hours per month of service.

43% have volunteered with ACT for more than four years.

“Volunteering with ACT offers opportunities for personal achievement.”

94% of respondents agreed.

“Volunteering with ACT programs and services helps me develop and maintain social relationships.”

75% of respondents agreed.

“Volunteering with ACT offers opportunities for professional growth.”

67% of respondents agreed.

“I received adequate training from ACT.” 93% of respondents agreed.

“Observing the growth of support group participants provides great personal satisfaction.”

“I love, love, love all the training!”

“[Core Skills training was] a journey of learning and self-discovery.”

ACT Newsletter | 3

SUZE T

TE

“It’s a more meaningful way to give back to the community that is appreciated by the people you help. I’ve been doing this for five years and it’s really rewarding to see the same clients.”

WIN OW SL

“The effects of my five-year exposure to the ACT vibe have been immense. The love and support I have encountered has helped transform the old me into a motivated, spiritually strong, happy, and healthy person. I am less judgmental. Working with ACT gives me the greatest thrill I could have with my clothes on.”

ACT celebrates 10 years of bringing the latest HIV/AIDS news to the community.

Community Health Forums were introduced 10 years ago as a way of keeping our service users informed in a rapidly changing landscape where information about treatment and living with HIV/AIDS seems to change on a daily basis.

Over the past year, the program has seen many improvements, from a move to a more suitable venue to a dramatic increase in attendees.

541 390

2009-10 2008-09 ATTENDEES

Robin Rhodes, HIV Health Promotion Coordinator at ACT, attributes the program’s success to the input of

community members, who consistently provide feedback on what information people with HIV/AIDS need to know.

The forums have also touched on social issues, and in the past year attendees learned about issues such as the recent increase in criminalizing HIV nondisclosure, especially in Ontario.

To learn more about the program or find out about the next forum, get in touch with Robin at rrhodes@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 219. in partnership w ith

in partnership w ith

ACT Newsletter | 4

ACT Newsletter 4

Strategic Plan 2010-2015 UPDATE

ies iorit r p l ona izati n , a o t g r r oron s. ur o at ou of T ify o bjective n e t a e n l t e t i o id st be mo ear p mm ve-y hip mu ion, lan t long-ter p S Co fi t c D i s x I t ber eA ateg r ne and rma of th a str r short h ou CT mem re info s c s r n p e o u vel rA e ou port ll la r mo ing T de achiev e wi 27. (You GM. Fo .) r sup C w a A elop , e o 9 , v g t s D 7 e r A n r i 2 e d p a e r ye ma xpi t th ext. ers, fore emb road t be vice us y few lan e n Sept o vote a 0-8484 u p p c r i n t S o i Ever evelop a e 0 eg g 34 d seek of our s IV/AID strat Meetin 27, 201 all 416o t t n H s and ust ith 400 or c ral urre tion ur c l Gene by Aug ership ulta almost living w s o n h o t d b a c – Wi Annu we us em ople der nse rene 0 rg/m help ents ehol e respo s and pe o k t a 201 itted or ronto.o t s e an nm th o cted d with r agenci al sc enviro ions t u n d subm ww.act e n rille w ealth rtne e co onm cuss r, w been th ers, pa visit nvir l, and h oup dis a e e l y e a nt ’ve his ll gr itica tern volu . We ier t n ex ic, pol r of sma a Earl ew plan mbers, ! d m e ucte n ono ey mbe our unity m ur surv cond n the ec eld a nu e w o ity m i ack, shifts e also h com nded to mun b d m e d o v c o is fe e ecte e ha the resp to th and exp ork. W om prove th r n f o d i w t t e i or r m v f n d i i u e d to isk ece r s r r In a er curr uence o rs. t e a a sw id fl e e ye and cons ould in akehold stion next fiv /AIDS e g g w t V u HI r the he s that everal s all t do ove ing with s r n h o t f i w atio ul liv uld orm l guide ankf s we co people f h n t i of are wil ing this We e th ll-being ting ties that new h t t u t p e r i abou and w . . rior e ou ll be to s wi tegic p u to se tember th l s n a e o e c r o a p o h o r y e r t T s S e p t in the g in invi new HIV ps in ulating iod. We l Meetin e t s r next form nera t pe The er and the nex nual Ge th r n e, toge ork ove t our A a ther w n u r a o l u y p o eing egic to se strat d r rwa k fo I loo r lme le Pa irector l e z Ha eD utiv Exec

“Keep the public focused on HIV/AIDS as a critical issue.

Continue to keep the issue of HIV/AIDS visible and continue to fight for the rights of HIV-positive people.”

“ACT needs to figure out who it can serve well, and not try to be everything to everyone.”

“Continue to be innovative and responsive both to the changing demographics of the populations in need of services, and to new issues that arise that demand more attention.”

ACT Newsletter | 5

“ACT’s location is central, but work could be done to refurbish/upgrade/change the current (office) space to make it nicer and a more inviting space.”

PROGRAM UPDATES

POSITIVE WORK

FOR POSITIVE WOMEN is happy to announce the arrival of a new project for HIV-positive women from African, Caribbean and Black communities in Toronto, funded through a grant from the M•A•C AIDS Fund.

ACT

re-enter the workforce, Positive Work for Positive Women will address issues of self-esteem, independence and quality of life – all of which can be barriers for women living with HIV trying to enter the workforce.

Positive Work for Positive Women is a partnership project led by ACT in collaboration with the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, Africans in Partnership Against AIDS, and Women’s Health in Women’s Hands.

The M•A•C AIDS Fund (MAF) was established in 1994

by M-A-C Cosmetics to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. This project is just one of many the MAF will support through $2.5 million in grants to support women living with HIV/AIDS around the world.

This innovative program will start by providing hands-on skills training to 40 women living with HIV that will help them find and retain employment.

Some of these women will be recruited to participate in a training project to start their own micro-business, receiving one-on-one support from a Business Developer as well as a small startup grant.

In addition to helping HIV-positive women enter or

For more information about this program, contact the project coordinator Nadia Bello at nbello@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 223.

IA

LIBRARY

NAD

ACT’s library services have been phased out as we explore new models of information provision. Our offices will continue to provide access to some resources, including those produced by ACT. Access to books (both circulating and reference), audio-visual materials, periodicals and journals ended May 1, 2010.

In 2009, ACT undertook a comprehensive needs assessment to gauge the use of existing library services among a broad range of people. This study assessed current patterns of library use, identified potential library users as well as barriers to library services, and identified new models and tools to guide the library function for the benefit of its many and varied stakeholders.

We have donated library materials to the following organizations, and will continue to distribute materials to groups that have expressed interest.

The assessment indicated a strong desire to have more information available online, and access to in-demand information such as educational resources and guides, with content covering a wide range of issues related to sex, health and wellbeing (i.e. issues related to but not restricted to HIV/AIDS such as sexual health, return-to-work and career issues, social assistance). Based on these findings,

ACT Newsletter | 6

CATIE (Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives Rainbow Health Ontario/Sherbourne Health Centre AIDS Bereavement Project of Ontario Scott Library, York University University of Ontario Institute of Technology Library

For more information visit: actoronto.org/library

PROGRAM UPDATES

Women ’s Community Development In IN

the activities of the initiative. ACT has been part of the advisory committee since its inception.

fall 2009, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, through its AIDS Bureau, announced approximately $1 million in new provincial funding to establish Women and HIV/AIDS Community Development Coordinator positions in key communities across Ontario. These coordinators would be responsible for facilitating a pro-active community response to women’s HIV prevention needs, including outreach to local agencies and participation on local planning committees.

One of the advisory committee’s first recommendations was to conduct an environmental scan that would help to: define what organizations within and outside the AIDS service sector in Toronto provide services to women living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV/AID; identify gaps in programming as well as strengths, provide indicators for the development of a more precise job descriptions for coordinators to work in the Toronto area and address local needs.

While the main focus of these positions would be to build the capacity of local organizations to respond to women and HIV/AIDS concerns, there may be times when the coordinators will help connect women living with HIV/AIDS with services of local AIDS service organizations (ASOs).

The AIDS Bureau established an advisory committee of key ASOs to provide some guidance on

The AIDS Bureau recently announced that funding for the Toronto Women and HIV Initiative will be given to ACT. Reactions from our community partners has been extremely positive and ACT looks forward to working with them closely as we take on this new and exciting new intiative.

ACT’s Moves Program on Hold For more than 10 years, ACT has offered a moves program to assist people living with HIV/AIDS who are financially unable to relocate to new housing.

Effective immediately, the program will be suspended temporarily to explore new funding sources. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to clients and community partners.

ACT Newsletter | 7

Miguel Cubillos, Employment Action

ACT PILOTING NEW EMPLOYMENT PROJECT FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING NEWCOMERS

FF

or many members of the Latin American community who are HIV-positive, navigating a safe return to work has been a challenge.

Spanish-speaking program, they complete a workshop that addresses issues such as the rights of employees at work.

Often, Spanish-speaking newcomers with limited English language skills are forced into work situations where they experience exploitation.

Miguel Cubillos is a job developer with ACT’s Employment Action program who wants to change that. Originally from Colombia, he saw a need within the community and designed a pilot project, with the assistance of Latinos Positivos, to help clients that may not have the level of English language skills that clients normally require to access Employment Action.

Many are seeking entry-level jobs, but the long-term plan is to shift these job-seekers into the regular Employment Action pre-employment counselling program once their language skills improve.

Although this is currently a pilot project, preliminary results show that 50% of clients have already secured employment, and improved their English skills.

Employment Action continues to think outside the box when it comes to employment, resulting in high rates of job satisfaction and retention from its innovative programs.

“Half the battle is people understanding their rights,” Miguel says. Before clients are accepted into the

ACT Newsletter 8

ACT Newsletter | 8

ESTA DE NOVO NEW RESOURCES FROM ACT AND VIVER FOR THE PORTUGUESE-SPEAKING COMMUNITY Through a collaboration between ACT and VIVER (the Portuguese-speaking HIV/AIDS Coalition), new resources are available to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the Portuguese-speaking community.

NÃO IMPORTA COM QUEM VOCÊ JOGA

A nossa missão: O VIVER promove programas e servicos de prevenção, advocacia, conscientizaçã sobre o risco de contrair VIH/HIV o e ou SIDA/AIDS, reconhecendo e diversidades e diferenças culturais respeitando as portuguesa em Toronto. Surgiu em e lingüística das comunidades de expressão 15 de Maio de 1997, de uma reunião pública sobre SIDA/AIDS, organizada pela St. Stephens na qual participaram funcionários Community House, portugueses, pessoas infectadas de serviços sociais com VIH/HIV, e outros membros da comunidade. SIDA/AIDS, Nesta reunião foi identificada uma lacuna doença. Também foi identificada nos serviços em português sobre esta a necessidade de aumentar o contato com a comunidade, e desenvolver a educação para pessoas de língua portuguesa.

JOGUE COM SEGURANÇA

Agradecimentos: Obrigado aos membros do VIVER e aos funcionários do ACT que participaram no desenvolvimento deste revisão editorial: André Ceranto projeto.

Designer gráfico: Marcelo Ferreira Este livreto foi subsidiado pelo e dos Cuidados de Longa Duração Ministerio da Saude de Ontário. "Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of Ontario"

A “Safer Sex Menu for HIV Transmission” (Menu do Sexo para a transmissão do HIV/VIH) and an STI Educational Guide (Guia Educativo das Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis DSTs) have been developed by Portuguese-speaking Men’s Outreach and are now being distributed in the community.

AIDS Committee of Toronto 399 Church Street, 4th floor . Toronto, ON Canada M5B 2J6 www.actoronto.org/portugues

SEXO SEGURO É RESPONSABILIDADE DE TODOS play safely.

No matter who you play with, nsibility.

Safer sex is everybody’s respo 416-340-8484 ext. 242 www.actoronto.org/portugues

Just in time for World Cup season, we also distributed posters featuring soccer players with the message that safer sex is everybody’s responsibility, no matter who you’re having sex with.

Funded by Toronto Public Health,

These two resources provide important information about HIV transmission, testing and treatment, living with HIV/AIDS, as well as information about other sexually transmitted infections.

June 2010

Produzido em 2009

proteja-se e proteja seus parceiros

doenças se xua lmente transm issiveis GUIA EDUCATIVO

Menu Menu do Sexo Seguro Menu do Sexo Seguro para transmissão de HIV/VIH 2010

ForRobert more Nemeth information or to copies of these ACT volunteer receives an request award for 20 years of service. resources, please contact Andre at portugues@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 242. www.actoronto.org/portugues

Happy 5 Anniversary, Out N' Poz! th

Founded in April 2005 with just 15 members, Out N’ Poz has grown to an over 200-strong social network of people living with HIV. “We are a social group where people who are HIV-positive can get together in a safe and friendly environment without fear of stigma or discrimination,” says Patrick Chevalier of Out N’ Poz. From diagnosis to medications, members of the group share stories and strategies to help each other living with HIV, or just share some social time without having to hide their HIV status.

ACT is proud to support Out N’ Poz as it continues to offer social support to people living with HIV/AIDS. ACT Newsletter | 9

20

Positive Youth Outreach a program of

Happy 20th Birthday, Positive Youth Outreach!

PYO is looking for alumni of the program who want to participate in a 20th anniversary party on September 16, 2010, at the 519 Church Street Community Centre.

For more information, e-mail Jessica at pyo@actoronto.org

ACT SYPHILIS CAMPAIGN SPREADS! In the wake of a significant increase in syphilis infections amongst gay men, ACT has partnered with the provincial Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) to expand our Attack of the Cursed Syphilis awareness campaign throughout the province.

a new postcard targeted specifically to HIV-positive gay men (also available in English and French). In addition, the campaign also includes geographically-targeted web advertising using gay cruising and chat-based websites.

Here in Toronto, ACT has launched the second phase of the campaign with transit ads appearing in subway cars throughout Pride season.

JOB NAME: POSTER

Support from the GMSH, along with the Public Health Agency of Canada, will ensure the campaign is available in French and English, and will have greater reach across Ontario. The provincial version of the campaign will include English and French versions of the poster and brochure, as well as

The campaign can be viewed at www.actoronto.org/syphilis. French content can be viewed at www.actoronto.org/syphilis/fr

–Finding your own way

In recent years, more and more emphasis has been placed on HIV prevention programs specifically targeting people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). This emphasis recognizes that sexual health is an important aspect of the overall health and wellness of PHAs, and PHAs also have a role to play in reducing the spread of HIV. Specific “poz prevention” programs have been developed in other cities, but none of them have specifically focused on the sexual health promotion needs of gay men with HIV. Very few have been rigorously evaluated to ensure that they achieve their intended outcomes. That has changed with GPS: Gay Poz Sex. GPS is the result of a collaboration of ACT with a team of researchers and HIV-positive gay men. The team works under the direction of the Poz Prevention Working Group, a committee of the Ontario Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (of which ACT is a member).

The primary objective of GPS is to implement and evaluate a sexual health and HIV prevention program for HIV-positive gay men in a community-based research framework. The project is currently evaluating its positive effects on participants and the community through three surveys given before men start the program, right after the program ends, and three months later, in order to assess any changes in

participants’ well-being and sexual behaviours. “The program consists of seven two-hour, weekly meetings, the first two meetings explore participants’ current understanding of sexual health and HIV disclosure through interactive exercises and brief presentations of educational materials. The final five meetings use Motivational Interviewing (a specific counselling technique) to help participants explore their individual current sexual behaviours,” says Rick Julien, a Research Assistant/Peer Facilitator with the project. Group participants are helped by their peer facilitators to identify areas of ambivalence, the pros and cons of their current sexual behaviours, challenges to making a change, desirable outcomes, fears and hopes, and strategic goal planning. Participants are helped to focus on goals that will positively impact their sexual health and the health of their sexual partners.

“What’s exciting about GPS is the fact that it’s a research study with real implications for programming that will help to support the health of PHAs,” says Rick. “It’s a cutting-edge example of developing new programs with real and meaningful involvement of PHAs.” For more about GPS, you can email gps@actoronto.org or contact Rick at 416-340-8484 ext. 277.

ACT Newsletter | 10

Sunday, September 19, 2010 Don’t Just Stand There!

aidswalktoronto.ca A benefit for

A Partnership Project of

National Sponsors Platinum

Title

Gold

Silver

Official Courier

Promotional Part ners Cineplex Entertainment Empire Theatres Maclean’s Magazine Marketwire Outlooks Magazine Rainbow Cinemas

TITY Bronze

Canpar

Local Sponsors

Clockwork Productions Grassroots Advertising Inc. Nestlé Waters Canada Pizza Pizza

A

s i ve clu : x e his able to t l a v a i l i l l a s t ke stil isc f tic t are g /pr o k r n c e o ev to. blo te d s i n g o n il mi ndrai ctor fu w.a ww

SNAP! SPEED RAFFLE WINNERS

(ACT)

On Sunday, March 21, over 550 photography aficionados gathered to bid on artwork, enjoy great food & drink and support SNAP! 2010. A whopping $295,715 was raised to help ACT continue to provide support to people living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Thanks to our patrons, sponsors and donors, artists and art galleries and silent auction participants! Congratulations to the 3 lucky SNAP! Speed Raffle prize winners: 1st Prize, Rolyn Chambers; 2nd Prize, Rita Chan; and 3rd Prize, Anne Peiris.

First Prize: Two Air Canada return tickets to anywhere in North America and seven nights with Starwood Accommodations: Rolyn Chambers of Toronto Second Prize: Two Air Canada return tickets to Paris, France and a $750 VISA Cash Card: Rita Chan of Toronto

Be the first to meet the Queen... of the Desert!

Join us on premiere performance — Tuesday, October 12 — for an exciting evening of theatre, fun and fabulousness that will raise funds for the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) HIV prevention, education and support programs .

Individual tickets to this event cost $250 and include:

• Orchestra seating for the premiere performance at the Princess of Wales Theatre • Exclusive post-show after-party with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres • Mix and mingle with the cast of the show premiere reception • Plus other fabulous surprises! sponsored by

Third Prize: Two Air Canada return tickets to Las Vegas and $1,000 VISA Cash Card: Anne Peiris of Toronto

“

You can’t put a price on the independence and self-esteem I’ve gained...

”

Make a gift to the AIDS Committee of Toronto to support our vital programs

AIDS Committee of Toronto 399 Church Street, 4th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2J6 T 416-340-8484 ext. 279 F 416-340-8224 E ask@actoronto.org W actoronto.org Monday to Thursday 10 am–9 pm Friday 10 am–5 pm

@ACToronto

facebook.com/ACToronto

The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) delivers responsive, effective, and valued community-based HIV support services and education, prevention, outreach and fundraising programs that promote the health, well-being, worth and rights of individuals and communities living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS, and increase awareness of HIV/AIDS.

I’d like to become a Partner in ACTion and make monthly gifts of:

I’d like to become a Partner in ACTion and make monthly gifts of:

leaving

ACTion

DM10N1

/subscribe

leaving

ACTion

DM10N1

/subscribe

design: Raymond Helkio

for people living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV/AIDS.