ACT Social Programs

ACT offers a range of social support programs for people living with HIV, including our Women’s Support Program, Positive Youth Outreach, Gay Men’s Coffee Night, Lunch Programs and Social Support Network. Please select the program links below for more information on each and who to contact for more information and registration.

a woman smiling

ACT offers a range of social supports, educational and community kitchen programs for women living with HIV and AIDS in Toronto. Women’s Support Programs are available for all women who are living with HIV. This includes cis and trans women, racialized women, and women engaged in sex work.

Women’s Zone: Held twice a month during the afternoon, Women’s Zone offers the opportunity to learn about ways to better manage your health, the importance of nutrition, and an opportunity to interact with each other. Of the two sessions each month, one session focuses on learning, one is social in nature, and the other is a cooking session. Child minding subsidies are available through the Casey House Childcare Program

Coffee Night: Held twice a month in the evening, this informal social support event for HIV-positive women provides an opportunity to connect with other women living with HIV and learn from each other’s experiences. Child minding subsidies and public transit fare can be provided upon request. Please ask if either of these would make it easier to attend Women’s Coffee Night.

For more information on our Women’s Support Programs (including dates and times, or to register, reach out to Grace or Esther using the contact info below:

Grace Chiutsi

gchiutsi@actoronto.org or call 416-340-8484 ext. 253

Esther Namalwa

enamalwa@actoronto.org or call 416-340-8484 ext. 219

positive youth outreach infographic

PYO is a social support program for youth living with HIV ages 18-29. PYO is run by poz youth, for poz youth. We offer one-on-one peer support and weekly group programming. We are here to support you in your journey with HIV and help you make new friends whose experiences are like yours.

Privacy and confidentiality are very important to us, and our staff and volunteers are committed to protecting your personal information.

Our weekly group program includes:

  • Free social events and outings in Toronto
  • Drop-in programming
  • Arts-based activities
  • Workshops and learning opportunities

All group programs include a free meal and TTC fare. Some of the things we can help you with include:

  • Disclosing your HIV status
  • Mental health and wellness
  • Sexual health and pleasure
  • Substance use and harm reduction
  • Finding housing and employment
  • Understanding Ontario’s health care system
  • Understanding Ontario’s social assistance programs
  • Anything that’s on your mind!

Get in touch!

Marc Lombardo

Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) Program Coordinator

Email: pyo@actoronto.org

Call: 416-340-8484 ext. 265

Text: 647-660-5572

If you are leaving a message, let us know how and when we should contact you so that we can do so in a discreet and confidential manner.

Facebook: Positive Youth Outreach PYO

Instagram: @pyo_toronto

Gay Men’s Coffee Night is for gay men who have been living with HIV for any length of time. Gay Men’s Coffee Night is a peer led group of gay men living with HIV who get together to laugh, lovingly throw shade, talk about everything and nothing, and find ways to support each other.

If you’re interested in finding out more, like specific information on dates, times, or how to register, email Bradley at bhamptonwallis@actoronto.org

lunch program logo

We provide two free hot lunch programs, one on Thursday and the other on Friday. These include a free, full hot meal and opportunities to connect with other people who are living with HIV.

*Lunch programs have been temporarily relocated to ACT’s offices, please reach out to Michael at mstoyles@actoronto.org for more info!

Good Company Lunch: Pick up your Thursdays from 10:30am to 1:00pm. It is an opportunity for people living with HIV to meet over a full hot meal once a week. This program is specifically for people living with HIV facing additional and potentially complex health challenges.

Meet ‘N Eat: A hot lunch program every Friday from 10:30am to 1:00pm that offers both a full hot meal and opportunities for peer support.

In order to attend, advanced registration is required. To register or for more information about the lunches and to find out which one best suits your needs, please contact Michael at mstoyles@actoronto.org

social support network logo

The Social Support Network arranges trips within Toronto for people living with HIV to socialize and do something fun together. Transportation to and from the event is provided. Sometimes there may be a small cost associated with attending (for example if three is lunch involved), but organizers do their best to minimize costs.

The events are a great opportunity to go somewhere new and meet others. Some examples of past activities are:

  • Movies
  • Brunch
  • Visits to parks
  • Baseball games
  • Museum tours

Social Support Network is open to all people living with HIV.

Registration required. For more information about upcoming events and to register, email Michael at mstoyles@actoronto.org