What’s New?
Opening Event:
March 8, 3:30-5:30pm
Location: London Public Library, Masonville location; Sifton Room
In celebration of International Women's day, the RHAC women's group is sharing their work in a group exhibition.
Using the arts and narrative storytelling as a platform for community change, women living with HIV, and women at increased systemic risk for HIV acquisition use, creative models to engage one another, community organizations, and the broader community in discussions of stigma, disclosure, harm reduction, gender-based violence and community and emotional wellness.
We invite you to join us for an opening event on March 8 from 3:30-5:30. The exhibit will be available to view for the remainder of the month of March.
On Monday, February 18, RHAC will be closed for Family Day. We wish you a happy + healthy long weekend!
Due to circumstances beyond our control, effective Monday February 4th, access to and from the TOPS and the Needle and Syringe Program will only be through the North Door (the entrance facing Dundas Street).
For those coming to a meeting or to volunteer please buzz RHAC at the front door.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
February marks Black History Month and February 7th is African, Caribbean & Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Stigma and discrimination based on gender, race and sexual orientation are significant barriers to HIV prevention in African, Caribbean & Black (ACB) communities and can negatively impact HIV testing rates and the ability of people living with HIV to seek the treatment, care and support they need. Open discussion about stigma and health issues in ACB communities, helps to inform people about their options. Together communities can encourage testing, treatment and proper care, and address issues such as stigma and the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure.
Check out these events happening in the community to celebrate ACB culture and history:
Opening Doors 2019: Emerging Trends in Changing Times
Conference Date: February 21st & 22nd, 2019
Location
Best Western Plus Waterfront Hotel
277 Riverside Drive West
Windsor, ON N9A 5K4
On February 21st & 22nd, 2019, Opening Doors empowering program focuses on positive change within the HIV/AIDS community and as society as a whole. This annual conference helps to enhance the quality of counselling services in mental and physical health and to better meet the needs of our local community.
We welcome clients, service providers, students and volunteers to join us!
Registration
$25.00 for Service Providers
$15.00 for Students
Free for PHAs and Family
Please note: Registration fees are not payable online. We accept credit card, cash or cheque. Payment will be made during registration at the conference.
Cheques payable to: Regional HIV/AIDS Connection
Registration details will be emailed, so please ensure proper email address is provided during registration.
Agenda coming soon!
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Complimentary shared accommodations are available for out of town attendees. Selections for accommodations and bus transportation may be made while registering.
*Private accommodations are available for a fee of $45 per room (payable at conference registration)
TRANSPORTATION
Complimentary bus transportation is available for out of town attendees. Bus pick up will start at RHAC, London, departing at 1:00pm. The bus will make one stop at St. Andrew's Church, 85 William Street, Chatham.
Transportation request may be made during registration.
For inquiries contact Kelly Wright, Director of HIV Support Services at KWright@hivaidsconnection.ca
Interested in volunteering with RHAC? Come to our volunteer orientation on January 24th from 6:30-8:30pm where our Volunteer Service Coordinator, Fran Mckeown, will cover everything you need to know to volunteer at RHAC including an HIV basics session.
For more info on volunteering visit:
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection was excited to learn that the federal government has removed a barrier in the application process for Safe Consumption Sites (SCS) across Canada. In Ontario, this means that regions in urgent need of support will be able to work directly with Federal representatives to receive exemptions for new sites with the goal of reducing overdoses, linking people who use drugs to care and dramatically reducing the potential for new HIV acquisitions by providing clean equipment and accurate, up-to-date information to people accessing these services.
This announcement did not offer any funding— therefore, those wishing to respond to the opioid crisis responsible for sourcing the funds required to support service delivery. In short, this change has incredible potential to improve the lives of all Canadians – especially those in Ontario who are at increased systemic risk of HIV acquisition and/or overdose in both urban and rural settings.
Join us in your area to remember those we have lost from HIV/AIDS, celebrate and honour their lives, and hope for a cure in the future. For World AIDS Day, we are hosting two World AIDS Day vigils in Stratford and London:
Stratford World AIDS Day Vigil
Please join us for a night of remembrance at the annual Stratford AIDS Vigil on November 30 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the Community of Christ Church. Leading up to World AIDS Day on December 1, we will be taking time to remember those we have lost from HIV/AIDS. Community members will be lighting candles to remember, celebrate, honour and cure.
Light refreshments and snacks provided. Doors open at 7pm.
Please RSVP at aberardini@hivaidsconnection.ca.
London World AIDS Day Vigil
Please join us for a night of remembrance at the annual World AIDS Vigil on December 1 from 7-8pm at the Trinity United Church. On World AIDS Day on December 1, we will be taking time to remember those we have lost from HIV/AIDS. Community members will be lighting candles to remember, celebrate, honour and cure. Doors open at 6:30pm and refreshments served.
For more information contact: info@hivaidsconnection.ca
We hope to see you there to join the community in remembrance.
Red Scarf will be at London's 2nd Annual Handmade Only Christmas Craft Sale on Sunday, November 18th at Centennial Hall from 10:00-3:00PM!
Every Red Scarf is handmade by community volunteers and stands as a powerful symbol of HIV/AIDS Awareness.
Since 2012, our community has handcrafted over 7,000 scarves for HIV/AIDS awareness. Like the red ribbon, the red scarf is a symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Make sure to stop by our pop-up and pick up a red scarf to help raise awareness and end the stigma around HIV/AIDS.
Red Scarf is coming to White Oaks Mall Thursday, November 1st!
Every Red Scarf is handmade by community volunteers and stands as a powerful symbol of HIV/AIDS Awareness like the red ribbon.
Since 2012, our community has handcrafted over 6,000 scarves for HIV/AIDS awareness. Like the red ribbon, the red scarf is a symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. These scarves are tagged with important information about HIV to raise awareness and end stigma in our community.
Make sure to stop by our pop-up and pick up a red scarf to help support the cause, raise awareness and stop the stigma around HIV/AIDS.
For more details visit redscarf.ca!