ACT e-Bulletin Vol. 2 No. 6


The ACT e-Bulletin
Volume 2, Number 6 | January/February 2008

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SNAP! Is Back | Winter Support Groups | Condom-Stuffing Parties | Upcoming Community Health Forums
ACT Research Day | Donate Your Securities! | Java Knights



Calling All Photographers: SNAP! Is Back!
On Sunday, March 2nd, SNAP!, ACT's photographic fundraiser, returns to the National Ballet School (400 Jarvis Street). We are pleased to welcome William Thorsell, ROM Director and Chief Executive Officer, as the Honourary Chair of this year's event.

Professional and amateur photographers are invited to submit their original works of photo-based art to the seventh annual SNAP! Photo Competition, presented by TD Canada Trust. The competition closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, so visit www.snap-toronto.com to find out how you can enter!

There is a $25 fee for each entry, which goes directly to ACT and helps us deliver free programs and services to people living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/AIDS as well as develop new initiatives to reduce the spread of HIV in our communities.

Tickets are still available for SNAP!08. There are a limited number of SNAP! PAK tickets for $95, while general admission tickets are $65. Visit our website for more information, or click here to purchase yours now.

Questions about the competition should be directed to Jasmine Taulla at 416-340-8484 ext. 249 or jtaulla@actoronto.org.

We sincerely thank you for your participation.


Winter Support Groups
Are you living with HIV/AIDS? Do you feel isolated or need support? Consider joining one of ACT's peer-based support groups.

Last-minute registration is still available for the following short-term, peer-based support groups. They run from January - April 2008.

Creative Journeys of Discovery: Meditation & Expressive Arts
Stimulate your senses and experience the healing potential of the arts combined with guided imagery visualization. Eight weeks, Monday afternoons.

Art Therapy
Connect with others and explore your emotions and experiences through art. Ten weeks, day and time to be announced.

Newly Diagnosed Group
A facilitated support group for people who are newly diagnosed to connect and support one another as they explore their experiences, feelings and thoughts on the future. Ten weeks, Thursday evenings.

Living with HIV Group
A facilitated support group for people to discuss their experiences and feelings related to medication use, relationships, work, family, loss and bereavement, depression, stress or other issues related to living with HIV/AIDS. Ten weeks, Tuesday evenings.

Women's Living with HIV Group
A facilitated support group for women to discuss their experiences and feelings related to medication use, relationships, work, family, loss and bereavement, depression, stress or other issues related to living with HIV/AIDS. Ten weeks, Monday evenings.

Long-term Survivors Groups
Facilitated support groups where people who have been living with HIV/AIDS for many years can give and receive peer support. Ongoing, Monday or Tuesday evenings.

Contact Kate Murzin, ACT's Health Promotion Coordinator, at 416-340-8484 ext. 283 for more information or to register for any of these groups.

Please note that registration for the winter session of the eight and ten week groups closes Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 at 5 p.m.

Join Us At Our Winter Condom-Stuffing Parties
In 2007, ACT distributed more than 110,000 condom/lube packs through our outreach programs. Demand is high and we need your help preparing new packs to go out! Come out of the cold and join us at one or more of our condom-stuffing parties.

Our winter parties are held the first and third Wednesday monthly on the following dates: January 16, February 6, 20, March 5 and 19. They're held between 6 - 8:30 p.m. in the 4th floor library area at ACT, 399 Church Street. We provide munchies, refreshments and easy instructions. As an added incentive at our winter parties, we have surprise celebrity guest hosts and door prizes. No need to register. Just show up. Bring a friend!

You can always refer to our condom stuffing webpage for dates and details. To be placed on our condom stuffing email list or for more information about the program, please contact Duncan MacLachlan, ACT's Gay Men's Outreach Coordinator at dmaclachlan@actoronto.org or 416-340-8484 x 254.


Upcoming Community Health Forums
ACT is proud to present two free community health forums this winter:

Complementary and Alternative Medicine and HIV Meds: A discussion about integrating Chinese and other complimentary medicines into health regimens for people living with HIV/AIDS. Guest speakers include David Bray a fellow of the North American Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and Devan Nambiar, Treatment Information Educator at the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the

Recreational Drugs and Their Interactions with HIV Meds: A discussion about street and party drugs: side effects, interactions with HIV medications, and the risks for other complications. Guest speakers include Dr. Benoit Trottier of the University of Montreal and Rui Pires, Gay Men's Community Education Coordinator at ACT. Thursday, Feb. 21, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Both events happen at the Metro Toronto YMCA, 200 Grosvenor Street (one block north of College and Yonge). The YMCA is wheelchair accessible. A light buffet will be served, and a childcare subsidy will be available.

Reservations are not required. For more information or to sign up for the forum mailing list, contact Robin Rhodes, ACT's HIV Health Promotion Coordinator, at 416-340-8484 ext. 219 or rrhodes@actoronto.org.


Save the Date: ACT Research Day 2008
ACT Research Day is expanding. An annual event for HIV/AIDS service providers, researchers, and policy makers to discuss current research, programs, and policy, this year's Research Day happens over two days in April at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

Day One, "Understanding Ontario's HIV/AIDS Strategies," happens April 3. Day Two, "Knowledge for Access," happens on April 11, 2008, and will feature presentations and facilitated discussions on current research that affects HIV/AIDS programming and policy.

More details to follow in the March/April e-Bulletin. In the meantime, visit www.actoronto.org/researchday for details.


Donate Your Securities to ACT
A gift of publicly traded securities can help you make a significant contribution to ACT at a relatively low cost to you. Changes in the 2006 federal budget mean that by making a gift of securities to ACT, your taxable capital gain is eliminated.

The privatization of BCE Inc., Canada's most widely held stock, in 2008 means that shareholders will be required to sell their shares. If you hold BCE shares, you can eliminate some or all capital gain taxes on this buyout by donating those shares-in-kind to ACT prior to the buyout.

We recommend you discuss your gift intentions with your own financial, legal, or tax advisor. To make your gift of securities or for more information, visit our website or e-mail donations@actoronto.org.


Java Knights: Queer Neighbourhoods
Join us for a discussion about alternative queer communities beyond Toronto's Church-Wellesley Village. How do they develop? What holds them together? Refreshments will provided, and there will be a great opportunity to mingle after the talk.

All events happen at the Gladstone Hotel Art Bar, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario. Java Knights a are free, but you should RSVP to javaknights@hotmail.com.