ACT e-Bulletin, Vol. 5. No. 1

The ACT e-Bulletin
March/April 2010

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Positive Work for Positive Women

ACT 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.

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, Voices of Positive Women and Women's Health in Women's Hands.

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 startup grant.

In addition to helping positive women enter or 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.

The M·A·C AIDS Fund 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 Fund will support through $2.5 million in grants to support women living with HIV/AIDS around the world.

For more information about the project, please contact Hazelle Palmer, Executive Director of ACT, at hpalmer@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 271.


We Need Your Support Now!

ACT is facing a sharp decline in fundraising revenue this year, and we need your support urgently to keep our vital programs going.

As you may know, this past year has been a financially challenging one for ACT. Since 2007, charitable donations have decreased across Canada, and ACT saw a 10% drop in individual giving this past year.

Although government funds cover some of our basic costs, ACT has always relied on the generous support of our community to provide the financial support we need to expand our reach, develop innovative programs, and keep up with the pace of HIV transmission in our city.

Please act now, and support us today:

For more information about making a contribution, please contact Anthony at atsoumbris@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 279.


Attack of the Cursed Syphilis!

Syphilis

Syphilis is back.
    • Toronto has seen a huge rise in syphilis over the past seven years.
    • Over 80% of infections in Toronto are among gay and bi men.
    • Almost ½ of syphilis cases in 2008 were among HIV-positive guys.

What is syphilis?
    • It's a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious damage to your brain, heart, eyes and bones if untreated.
    • You may have syphilis and not know it. Some people develop visible symptoms of the syphilis infection, but others don't.
    • It can be spread through sex (anal, oral, you name it), through skin-to-skin contact, or by sharing drug paraphernalia and cigarettes.

What about HIV?
    • If you are HIV-negative, your risk for HIV infection is increased from three to four times if your sexual partner is infected with syphilis and is also HIV-positive.
    • If you are HIV-positive and you have syphilis, this can increase your 'viral load' (a measure of HIV in your blood) and HIV tends to concentrate in syphilis chancres, both increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
    • If you are positive, syphilis can speed up the rate at which HIV damages your immune system, and if your CD4+ count is low, you are at risk for getting neurosyphilis (a life-threatening syphilis infection of the brain or spinal cord).

What can I do?
    • A simple blood test can tell you if you've got it. Get tested on a regular basis.
    • If it's caught early, syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.
    • Always use condoms when having sex. Don't share drug paraphernalia or cigarettes.

For more information:
Where to get tested, how to tell someone you might have passed on syphilis, and more answers to your questions at:


Work that Telephone for ACT!


TelephoneDo you give good phone? Looking to put it to use for a good cause?

We are searching for volunteers for our Fund Development team to launch a telemarketing campaign starting this month. We need upbeat communicators with telephone skills to call and thank our supporters, provide them with more opportunities to give, prepare correspondence, and more!

If you have four hours a week or more, consider this opportunity to help raise funds for our services for people living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV/AIDS. We'll provide you with training and support, and you'll get hands-on experience in fundraising.

For more information and to apply, please contact Bobby at bhrehoruk@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 255.


Condom Stuffing Idol: Season Four


CondomThe season premiere of the fourth Condom Stuffing Idol will take place on April 5. The rest of the season, including the grand finale, will take place on Tuesday evenings: April 12, 19 and 26.

Condom Stuffing Idol isn't just a contest - it's an opportunity for ACT to build an inventory of condom and lube packages for the upcoming Pride festival. In 2009, these parties produced more than 90,000 packs that were distributed in bars, clubs, bathhouses and at special events!

All condom-stuffing parties are held between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. on the fourth floor of the ACT offices. We provide snacks, refreshments and easy instructions. There's no need to pre-register, so just show up and bring a friend!

For more information, please contact Duncan at dmaclachlan@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 254.


Inspiration. Exposure. Support!
SNAP!
Looking for a night to remember? Join us for Canada's pre-eminent photography fundraiser - SNAP!

This year's event will feature photography and photo-based art by renowned and emerging Canadian and international artists.

Sunday, March 21, 2010
Live & Silent Auction Event
6 pm to 11 pm
National Ballet School (400 Jarvis Street, Toronto)

6:00 PM: Doors Open
-    Cocktail Reception
-    Auction Registration
-    Art Preview
-    Silent Auction Opens

7:30 PM: Live Auction Begins

$90 General Admission: Ticket price includes coat check, host bar, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, live & silent auctions and entertainment by DJ Sumation.

Click here to purchase tickets online. (https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TicketingWelcome.aspx?EventID=41196&LangPref=en-CA)

SNAP! PUBLIC LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW
This is your chance to preview the exciting SNAP! 2010 Live Auction collection featuring emerging and renowned artists from Canada and around the world.

March 12 to 14
Edward Day Gallery - 952 Queen Street West

FOR MORE INFO:
SNAP! Hotline: 416-340-9255
Questions about tickets: tickets@actoronto.org


Don't Tax Your Health!


CalculatorFiling your 2009 personal income tax return can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with ODSP and other health-related deductions. Let our qualified income tax consultants help you out.

ACT is holding income tax clinics for people living with HIV/AIDS until May 15, 2010, by appointment.

We can help if you are an HIV-positive single person with a total income not exceeding $45,000, in a spousal couple, for single or multiple years.

For more information or appointment bookings, please contact Robin at rrhodes@actoronto.org or 416-340-2437.


PHA Youth Satellite Event

Earlier this month, HIV-positive youth and youth service providers from across Canada gathered in Montreal for education and training sessions at the 6th Annual Skills-Building Conference of the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS).

This was a partnership project of Positive Youth Outreach, a program of ACT, in collaboration with YouthCo AIDS Society in Vancouver, the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, the Canadian Treatment Action Council and CAS.

"It's rare that we get opportunities like this for positive youth from across the country to build our skills and share strategies," says Angel Parks, PYO Program Coordinator. "As emerging leaders in the HIV/AIDS movement, our objective was to arm these young people with the tools they need to create social change in their communities."

The project was made possible through funding by the ViiV Healthcare - Shire Canada HIV/AIDS 2009 Community Innovation Program.

For more information, please contact Angel at aparks@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 281.


More Upcoming ACT Events

March 22, 12:00 pm: Maple Syrup Shack
2-hour outdoor tour of a "cabin au sucre" for people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto. Contact Patrick at pkearns@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 230, no later than March 19.

March 23, 6:00 pm: One Night Stand
Discussion group for gay and bi men. This month: Why princes become frogs. Contact Carlos at crivas@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 247.

March 31, 6:00 pm: Improv Comedy Workshop
Winter got you down? Looking to meet new people, learn skills and have some fun? Seasoned improvisers Breanda Lennie and Jim Maxwell will be facilitating a one-night only improv workshop for HIV-positive people. Presented by ACT in collaboration with Skitz-in-frona-ya and PositiveLite.com - Please let us know you are coming by contacting us.

31 Marco, 5:30 pm: Oportunidade de Trabalho Voluntario!
Condom stuffing for the Portuguese-speaking community. Para maiores informações, contactar Andre: aceranto@actoronto.org, 416-340-8484 ext. 242.

April 15, 6:00 pm: Volunteer Information Session
Learn more about ACT and the different opportunities available to you as a volunteer. No registration required, no up-front commitment needed. Everyone is welcome. Contact Sergio at smartinez@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 224.

April 19, 6:00 pm: One Night Stand
Discussion group for gay and bi men. This month: The homophobe within: Am I fighting against myself? Contact Carlos at crivas@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 247.

To keep up to date with ACT events, visit the "What's On" section of our website, or visit the HIV/AIDS Community Calendar for other community events.