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 If you’re between 13 and 29 years old and HIV-positive or have AIDS, we’re here for you! We are HIV-positive youth, offering free peer support services. We provide education about HIV, help with support and go to bat for you when you run into problems.
Many heads are better than one. It’s nice to feel you’re not alone when things look bad. You’ll find out where to go for help, for financial assistance and medical information. We offer hope, answers and confidentiality.
Positive Youth Outreach began in 1990. Two HIV-positive youth realized that there was a need for an organization to deal with the special needs and concerns of HIV-positive youth. With the help of some others, they organized and held a 12 week support group. Group members were of different backgrounds, genders, religions, and sexual orientations, but were all young and HIV-positive. Together they found relief from isolation in a safe place where they could meet, share, support and challenge one another. PYO grew from there to become the first recognized organization in Canada run by HIV-positive youth for HIV-positive youth. We are currently the only such agency in Ontario.
In 2001, the PYO Board of Directors approached the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) to see if ACT might enter into a partnership with PYO where ACT would assume administrative, financial and supervisory responsibility of PYO so that PYO staff and volunteers could concentrate on delivering services for HIV-positive youth. In October 2001 the PYO Board of Directors entered into a partnership with ACT. The PYO Board of Directors is now an Advisory Committee to PYO - providing support, advice and guidance on the needs of HIV-positive youth. The majority of Advisory Committee members are youth living with HIV/AIDS.
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