What’s New?
A Message from RHAC's Executive Director
This year, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) celebrates 40 years of serving our community. In 1985, a small group of activists came together as the “AIDS Committee of London.” Their courage and compassion grew RHAC into an organization that, today,serves six counties and strengthens local responses to HIV, hepatitis C, and some of the most complex health issues in our community.
It's been my pleasure to serve RHAC’s mission for more than a decade. During that time, our agency has evolved and expanded to ensure our response to the HIV epidemic is comprehensive, high-quality, and culturally relevant. While moving our mission forward, we also honour our achievements and progress, the hardships and human losses, and every person who has contributed to our history and future.
The celebration of our 40th anniversary comes at a turbulent time. Around the world, funding cuts and program closures threaten the global response to HIV. But even in the face of these challenges, we remain confident in our ability to meet community needs because of you: Our donors, friends, partners, and volunteers. Your support not only makes our programs and services possible—it makes our community a safer and more welcoming place for the people we serve.
Martin McIntosh
Executive Director, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection
In honour of Women’s History Month, RHAC celebrates the incredible contributions women have made to our history, and our future. Since the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, women have been at the centre of community responses to HIV/AIDS. Today, women continue to make HIV history as activists, organizers, scientists, health professionals, and more. This month is an opportunity to remember that women make history every day as positive changeleaders in their communities. Happy Women’s History Month!
On March 14, join us at Central London Public Library (251 Dundas Street) from 1-4 PM for a free International Women's Day event for African, Caribbean and Black community members. Please email kabdul@hivaidsconnection.ca or fumaro@hivaidsconnection.ca to RSVP.
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is grateful to Westminster College Foundation (WCF) for supporting the Rainbow Youth Space project. This collaborative of programs, including Open Closet and Rainbow Heroes, promotes important opportunities for connection and engagement among 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in London-Middlesex. During its period as a WCF grant recipient, Open Closet saw the number of youth participants double.
"It really feels like a community," said one youth participant. Participants also expressed feeling "safe and heard," with one young participant describing the program "as my home when my house doesn't feel like a home."
With the support of generous grantors, such as WCF, projects like Rainbow Youth Space have been able to continue creating spaces where queer and trans youth feel a sense of belonging and connection in our local community.
Learn more about Open Closet: RHAC's award-winning social support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
Warning: Fentanyl of various colours with strong benzo(diazepine) effect
Through anecdotal reports and observations at Carepoint Consumption & Treatment Services, we would like to share the following information about possible side effects that could be associated with the various batches of fentanyl potentially cut with benzodiazepines (or "benzos"). Please note: Multiple colours of the substance currently associated with this advisory have been reported.
Some of the possible side effects we are currently seeing include:
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An increase in overdoses at our site.
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Unusually difficult to rouse. Sleep-like state (or "heavy nod") for hours post-use, but not in overdose as vital signs are stable.
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Significant confusion after waking up, including percieved loss of time.
In the community, a person can present as not responding to stimulation after multiple doses of naloxone, but is breathing and has a pulse. They may appear to be in a deep sleep-like state. It is still important to call 911. Substances such as fentanyl can be 'cut' (or mixed) with other drugs. Even a very small amount can cause an overdose or other side effects.
Recommendations when using substances:
- Try not to use alone.
- If you use alone, tell someone where you are. Ask them to check on you.
- Use in small doses.
- Avoid mixing substances, if possible.
- Encourage use of Carepoint (Mon-Sun: 9AM-9PM).
- Have naloxone ready and know how to respond to an overdose
For more information, please contact Director of Harm Reduction Services, Megan Van Boheemen, at mvanboheemen@hivaidsconnection.ca or 226.377.8721.
Posted Feburary 3, 2025. Please remove this notice by February 13, 2025 as the illicit drug supply changes constantly.
To our Community Partners, Careholders, and Members of the Public,
The Ontario government recently announced the planned closure of several supervised Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS). This decision includes new safety mandates for remaining sites and plans to introduce 19 new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs. The announcement also proposes legislation that would prohibit future CTS sites from opening in Ontario communities.1 Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) can confirm that London’s CTS site, Carepoint, continues to operate and is not included among the 10 sites currently scheduled for closure by the province.
In light of these developments, RHAC’s Board of Directors reaffirms our unwavering commitment to supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of the community members our harm reduction programs serve. While Carepoint is fortunate to continue operating, the proposed closures and prohibition of other CTS sites raises significant public health and safety concerns for affected communities. We stand in solidarity with the vulnerable community members and frontline workers affected by these proposals. Now is the time to come together to ensure that harm reduction remains a cornerstone within a comprehensive substance use strategy for our community.
RHAC stands firm in our support of harm reduction. Alongside prevention, treatment, and enforcement,2 it remains crucial to a comprehensive response to the risks associated with substance use. The evidence is clear: CTS sites can reduce the risks of overdose and disease transmission (including HIV/HCV) while providing individuals access to other supports as pathways towards treatment, housing, and healthcare.3 Since 2018, Carepoint has reversed over 1,023 opioid poisonings. These life-saving interventions reduce the strain on emergency services and provide an immediate response to those most at-risk of an overdose or drug-related death. While contributing to the overall health and safety of our community, our services are also meeting complex needs and making important connections. In 2023, we facilitated: 1,287 referrals to addiction and treatment services; 1,623 primary healthcare referrals; and 6,048 referrals to other social services. Harm reduction is central to Carepoint’s ability to safeguard public health, reduce the risks associated with substance use, and connect vulnerable community members to the care they deserve.
Carepoint remains dedicated to working transparently with our local partners, law enforcement, and the broader community to ensure that our services remain safe, accessible, and responsive to concerns. RHAC will continue to actively engage with our neighbors, clients, and partners to address concerns, promote community safety, and support those impacted by substance use, addiction, and the toxic drug supply. We welcome every opportunity to strengthen our programming as a trusted and valuable community service, including the measures introduced by the recent provincial announcement to enhance safety and security for everyone.
Addressing the complexities of homelessness and addiction requires more supports, not less. Our communities do not have to choose between harm reduction or treatment and recovery. These kinds of care can work together to improve health outcomes. We welcome the provincial government’s investment in addiction and treatment options. We also recognize that strategies failing to offer harm reduction services, such as HART Hubs, cannot replace the care provided by supervised consumption and treatment sites. Harm reduction services are a critical part of a comprehensive response to the crisis that continues to take the lives of vulnerable community members every day.
Together, we can work towards a safer, healthier, and more compassionate future. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in this critical work.
To read this open letter in full, and learn more about RHAC’s position statement on harm reduction and Supervised Consumption Services (SCS), please visit: hivaidsconnection.ca/SCSOpenLetter
ENDNOTES:
- Ministry of Health. Ontario protecting communities and supporting addiction recovery with new treatment hubs, August 20, 2024. https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004955/ontario-protecting-communities-and-supporting-addiction-recovery-with-new-treatment-hubs
- Health Canada. Pillars of the Canadian drugs and substances strategy, August 13, 2018. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/pillars-canadian-drugs-substances-strategy.html
- Health Canada. Supervised consumption explained: Types of sites and services, February 9, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/supervised-consumption-sites/explained.html
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is deeply saddened to confirm the loss of a community member following an on-site medical emergency at Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS).
On October 1, Carepoint responded to an individual in medical distress. Staff delivered an immediate crisis response, which included contacting emergency medical services. Emergency responders provided further aid on-site and transported the individual to hospital. We were informed that the individual was later pronounced deceased. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not release any further information about this individual.
During this difficult time, our organization is joined together to mourn this member of our community. Our heartfelt condolences are with their family, friends, and loved ones.
We are deeply grateful for the frontline staff and emergency responders who were present on-site to deliver immediate medical support. Our thoughts are with the countless community members who share in our grief and care deeply for the people we serve.
Supervised consumption services, such as Carepoint, are here in our communities to reduce the risks of substance use and connect individuals to treatment, healthcare, and social supports. We are committed to reviewing and strengthening our services on an ongoing basis to ensure that Carepoint upholds the highest standards of care.
We maintain full transparency in working closely with the London Police Service (LPS) as part of their standard investigative process, providing all necessary information to support their ongoing efforts in collaboration with the Coroner's Office. We will continue to share updates with community in the coming days.
This September, RHAC came together with our Board of Directors, members, and community supporters at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). This year’s AGM reflected on our year-in-review and celebrated the theme of “Community in Action” with the release of our Annual Report.
In his opening address, Executive Director Martin McIntosh, dedicated this year’s Annual Report to the acts of community that moved our mission forward:
“As an organization, we know firsthand that communities are not only the places where people belong. Community is a verb: An act that requires constant effort. It is a daily commitment to connection, equity, and care. Community is made up of actions, big and small, that create a sense of belonging, safety, and support. As we look back on this year (April 1, 2023—March 31, 2024), RHAC is taking the opportunity to celebrate acts of community that have put our mission in motion, brought our values to life, and taken us one step closer to building healthier, supported communities—together."
Every May, RHAC celebrates some of the staff roles that move our mission forward every day. In honour of several Staff Appreciation marking our calendars this month, thank you to the Caregivers, Nurses, Harm Reduction staff, Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Paramedics, and Human Resources professionals who have made positive impacts in our organization and the lives of community members we proudly serve.
How to Apply
Apply to join the volunteer Board of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection! RHAC Board Members can serve up to 2 consecutive three-year terms. Time commitment is 4-5 hours per month plus committee work as required.
Learn more about applying here.
Prospective board members are asked to submit their résumé and letter of interest to hr@hivaidsconnection.ca by April 30, 2025 at 4 PM EST.
Please include your contact information and answer the following questions:
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Why are you interested in serving as a member of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection's Board ofDirectors
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What are your connections to individuals and diverse communities served by RHAC?
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Can you give an example of how you might have to act in the best interest of the whole organization, at times balancing the needs of the Board, its staff, its clients and the diverse communities served by RHAC?
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Briefly describe your experience as a committee or board member of a non- profit organization.
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What skills, experience or perspective would you bring into board decisions and policy development?
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Do you presently hold membership with RHAC, and are you aware of any potential conflicts of interest if you are elected to serve on the Board of Directors of RHAC?
Pictured above: RHAC Board of Directors, 2023-24.
Qualification & Requirements
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Resident of the geographical area RHAC serves: London/Middlesex; Perth; Huron; Elgin; Lambton; or Oxford.
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Willingness to always act in the best interest of the whole organization, balancing the needs of the Board, its staff, its clients and the diverse communities served by RHAC.
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Persons living with HIV/HCV, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, individuals from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, members of diverse ethnocultural communities, and persons with dis/abilities are encouraged to apply.
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Knowledge of/interest in community development, particularly in the health sector.
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A commitment to RHAC’s mission, vision, and values including policy statements and strategic directions (Click here to view our current Strategic Plan).
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A commitment of time, focus, and engagement as outlined above
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Openness to learning.
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Current Police Check within the last 6 months.
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Previous Board or Committee experience would be considered an asset.
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Connections to the diverse communities served by RHAC, and/or to RHAC’s community partners is considered an asset.
Our Commitment to Diversity
RHAC recognizes that a diverse board of directors and work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees or board members from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from the 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of our recruitment postings. We suggest applicants introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to their level of comfort.
Learn more at: hivaidsconnection.ca/about/board/become-board-member
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit, community- based organization serving London and six counties – Perth, Huron, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex, and Oxford. We are a community-inspired organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and diverse communities living with, at-risk for, or affected by the challenges associated with HIV/AIDS/HCV. Our philosophy includes adherence to The Ontario Accord/GIPA (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS), Peer Engagement, Anti- Racism/Anti-Oppression (BIPOC*), Sex Positivity, Principles of Harm Reduction, Holistic Health, and Civil Society.
RHAC recognizes that a diverse workforce and board of directors is critical to realizing our vision and accomplishing our mission. Accordingly, we strive to attract, develop, and retain highly-talented employees and board members from diverse backgrounds to meaningfully engage, empower and support the priority communities we connect with and serve. We strongly encourage people living with HIV/HCV, members of African, Caribbean, Black and other racialized communities, members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, people living with disability/disabilities, people living with chronic illnesses, members of diverse faith communities, and people with diverse lived/living experiences (including, but not limited to: with substance use, addiction, sex work, and/or incarceration) to apply. We welcome and encourage you to introduce yourself, your story and your lived/living experiences to your level of comfort in your application.
RHAC is committed to and adheres to the principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Employment Standards, the Pay Equity Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all other applicable legislation. We are committed to integration and to removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. Additionally, we support and encourage applicants on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code including but not limited to age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation. RHAC acknowledges that equitable access to employment is an agent in social change.
Pride is not just another month on the calendar. It is a movement, and we’re working with community to keep the momentum going. This July, RHAC proudly unites around the theme of Gather Against! as we join together against harm, violence, and oppression alongside 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, allies, and our chosen families. This summer, we're heading out into community to co-host queer-friendly gatherings. We hope you will join us this July, and beyond, in solidarity and celebration!
Drag Bingo (Hosted by Galaxy Rose)
JULY 22 • 7-9 PM • London Brewing Co-operative (521 Burbrook Pl.)
Celebrate Pride with Sex Toy Bingo, hosted by London drag performer Galaxy Rose with prizes sponsored by The Stag Shop (London's Store 3). Join us for a night of fun as we celebrate queer joy, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to walk away with a prize of your own! This event is 18+.
Play Your Way Pride Booth
JULY 22, 23 • 11 AM-4 PM • Victoria Park (580 Clarence St.)
Stop by our Play Your Way Pride Booth in Victoria Park. RHAC staff will be on-site providing free sexual health and harm reduction resources, including Naloxone training!
Stronger Together: Exploring Queer Solidarity
JULY 27 • 7-9 PM • Tap Centre for Creativity (203 Dundas St.)
Join us for a conversation dedicated to exploring what queer solidarity can look like in the face of systemic harm. Moderated by local educator Melissa Alder, this discussion will feature 6 panelists from our local community with diverse experiences and perspectives to consider what queer resilience and resistance can look like as we move into the future. Doors open: 6:30 PM. Panel discussion scheduled for 1.5 hours with time for Q&A/Discussion.
