ACT e-Bulletin Vol. 1 No. 5

The ACT e-Bulletin
Volume 1, Number 5 | December 2006/January 2007

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CONNECT: Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Gateway
World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) marks the launch of CONNECT, a joint library catalogue developed through a partnership between ACT, AIDS Vancouver, the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre, and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.

CONNECT brings together the collections of the five largest HIV/AIDS libraries in Canada, and will allow people looking for HIV/AIDS resources to search across the collections of all five organizations at once. The ACT Library is proud to be a member of this important partnership, and invite you to view the catalogue at www.hivinfovih.ca!


Hi! My Name Is Tina Campaign Update
The Toronto Gay/Bisexual Men’s Crystal Meth Task Force will be conducting an evaluation of the HiMyNameIsTina.com campaign and website in early 2007, as well as organizing a public forum later in the winter. Look for announcements in the new year.

While there continues to be gay men looking for help related to their use of crystal meth (Tina), the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reports that the numbers have dropped over the last few months, compared with the numbers over the last one to two years.

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA), which started up at the 519 Church Street Community Centre in August 2005, continues to meet on Saturdays, 3 - 4:30 p.m. For more information about this and other crystal meth-related resources, visit http://www.himynameistina.com/support_resources_cma.html


ACT at the Everything to Do with Sex Show
In November, ACT and the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS participated in the Everything to Do with Sex Show at the CNE. A team of staff and volunteers handed out over 800 condoms and 400 educational brochures and pamphlets at the event. Staff and volunteers answered questions about the female condom and resources for parents interested in educating their children about sex. Thanks to all who helped out!


New in ACT’s Portuguese-Speaking Outreach Program
This fall, ACT welcomed a new Portuguese-speaking Men’s Outreach Coordinator. With former coordinator Rui Pires shifting the full-time roll of Gay Men’s Community Education, former agency volunteer Andre Ceranto has stepped into the role. If you are interested in volunteering with the program, contact Andre at aceranto@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 242.


Women's Coffee Night Holiday Party
All positive women are invited to attend our Women's Coffee Night Holiday Party at ACT, fourth floor, on Dec. 20 from 6 - 8 p.m. Come celebrate the festive season with us. There will be dinner, beverages and holiday treats for everyone! Childcare subsidies and tokens are available. Please call ahead to register (and let us know if you require childcare) at 416-340-8484 ext. 313.


New in HIV Health Promotion
In December and January, ACT will host two new Community Health Forums:

Conference Updates: News from Recent International Conferences
Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel, 300 Jarvis Street
Guest speaker: Dr. Alex Klein, PhD, Past Chair, Toronto Primary Care Physicians

Living with HIV/AIDS: Am I Ready to Return to Work?
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7 – 9 p.m. at the Metro Toronto YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street
Guest speakers:
Glenn Betteridge, Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Nitto Marquez, Benefits and Case Manager, Toronto People With AIDS Foundation
Janna Erichsen, Employment Action, AIDS Committee of Toronto

Join us for two information-packed evenings. Contact Robin at 416-340-8484 ext. 219 or rrhodes@actoronto.org for more details.


ACT Volunteer Information Sessions
Interested in volunteering at ACT? Come to one of our Volunteer Information Sessions in 2007 and find out some of the ways you can help out. They happen on Jan. 10, Mar. 14, May 9, July 11, Aug 8., and Nov 14 at 6 p.m. in room 220, 399 Church Street. For more information, call 416-340-8484 ext. 224. Volunteers make a difference!


Harm Reduction Workshop
ACT and the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation are proud to presents a special workshop on harm reduction principles for all volunteers who have completed the Core Skills Training program.

At ACT and TPWAF we use a harm reduction philosophy when serving clients who use drugs and alcohol. Harm Reduction works to minimize the risks associated with certain behaviours (drug use, sex, partying, for example), while respecting the individual's needs and lifestyle choices. As volunteers, you may get questions from clients about their drug use.

Workshop facilitator Nick Boyce, ACT’s Gay Men's Harm Reduction Coordinator, invites participants to learn about the values of the harm reduction approach and to discuss strategies for meeting the needs of our diverse communities.

The workshop happens on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006 from 6 – 9 p.m.(dinner from 5:30-6 p.m.) at 399 Church Street, second floor, room 220. Advance registration is required. Contact Sergio at 416-340-8484 ext. 224 or Wendy at 416-504-1400 ext. 622 for more information.


Introducing Lambda, a New Survey of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Your Community!
In early 2007, ACT, in collaboration with other community organizations and the Public Health Agency of Canada, will be rolling out a new study in Toronto and Ottawa called Lambda. Lambda is a part of a larger national survey being conducted in various sites across Canada, whose purpose is to increase our understanding of sexual behaviour, HIV and STI testing practices and prevalence of HIV, and to better plan prevention and care of HIV among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Over the next month or two, keep an eye out for more information about this study, as well as for potential volunteer opportunities! Please contact Christie Johnston at 416 840-3434 ext. 264 or cjohnston@actoronto.org for more information.


The Writing Project
Are you an HIV-positive gay man living in Toronto? Are you interested in contributing to a collection of personal stories about gay men’s experiences living with HIV? It’s an opportunity to share with and educate your community.

Please submit your stories by Feb. 28, 2007 to hvijayanathan@actoronto.org.

If you have any questions please contact Haran at 416-340-8484 ext. 283.


Why Do We Still Need ACT?
More than 58,000 people across Canada are living with HIV; of these, more than 15,000 people live in the GTA. People from all over the world come to live in Toronto, many of them from countries where AIDS is endemic. ACT is here for them.

There is still no cure for AIDS

In Canada almost 40% of all positive HIV tests of women are young women between 15 and 29 years old.

3 million people die every year around the world from AIDS.

Close to 40 million are living with HIV right now.

No one should be left alone to live with and deal with HIV and AIDS.

ACT is now one of the largest AIDS service organizations in Canada. Its work is carried out by 44 full-time equivalent staff and is assisted by over 1200 volunteers.

Our work is vital. Make a vital gift of support to ACT. For more information on how you can contribute, contact Kevin Hartley at khartley@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 ext. 268, or to donate via our secure website, click here.