ACT works to reduce new HIV infections in Toronto and promotes the independence, dignity, health and well-being of people living with HIV and AIDS and those at increased risk of HIV.
Founded in 1983 by a group of community volunteers, today ACT is a leader in efforts to end AIDS in Toronto. Through HIV and sexual health education, prevention and outreach, we are working towards a city with zero new HIV infections, zero HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.
Mission
ACT supports people living with, and at risk for HIV, to achieve their optimal social, sexual, and mental health.
Vision
A future free of HIV.
Values
Greater Involvement and Meaningful Engagement of People Living with HIV (GIPA/MEPA)
- Commit to the greater and more meaningful engagement of people living with HIV at all levels of the organization. ACT is a signatory to the Ontario Accord, a statement of solidarity with GIPA/MEPA.
Equity, Access, and Anti-oppression
- Recognize the presence and impact of all forms of stigma, discrimination and marginalization on individuals and communities living with and at risk of HIV, including but not limited to anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism, racism, sexism, ableism, HIV-related stigma, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, and commit to eliminating them.
- Acknowledge that diversity in age, culture, (dis)ability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, HIV status, language, race, religion, and socioeconomic status is central to our work.
- Value the diversity and distinct needs of our program and service users, volunteers, staff, members, donors, and other supporters.
- Provide targeted and proactive programming and services to our priority communities to realize optimal health outcomes.
- Ensure that our services are accessible, and our programming includes diverse perspectives and approaches.
Self-determination:
- Work with individuals and communities to enable them to take an active role in determining, planning and directing their health, care and well-being.
- Provide confidential, responsive, caring, respectful, sex positive, non-judgmental, and person-centred programs and services that promote the health of people living with and at risk for HIV.
- Create targeted and proactive strategies and programs that meet the needs of people living with and at increased risk for HIV.
- Value the rights of individuals to make informed choices that include, but are not limited to, sex, sexuality, reproduction, health care, substance use and HIV treatment.
- Employ harm and risk reduction approaches to reduce people’s risk of HIV transmission.
Respect:
- Commit to treating each of our service users, staff, volunteers, community members and community partners with respect.
Strengths-based approach:
- Recognize that despite the impact of stigma(s) and discrimination, there is resistance and resilience within the communities deeply affected by HIV in Toronto.
- Nurture the capacity, skills, knowledge, connections, confidence, and potential in all the individuals and communities we serve through our program and service delivery.
- Share the successes and strengths of our work.
