AIDS Committee of Ottawa | Le comité du sida d'Ottawa
19 Main Street K1S 1A9 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Our placement student Mikayla is running an HIV 101 tomorrow in partnership with CUSA & GSRC! Come and check it out :)

The Mainstreeter feature: Sharing Lunch WithAIDS Committee Their popular interview feature Sharing Lunch With returns in this issue to introduce the community to an organization located in Old Ottawa East that has been doing critically ... Read more https://t.co/naK9s5qjyZ https://t.co/sde0c2H4QD http://www.mainstreeter.ca/?wpfb_dl=120

Hope you all enjoyed the fall long weekend! We spent ours putting together over 100 home cooked meals! It was lovely to see the faces of community members, volunteers, staff and community partners over the weekend.

EN: We want to hear your voices! We are 4th year nursing students developing a pamphlet to raise awareness about HIV and Hepatitis C stigma in healthcare. This survey is confidential and developed in collaboration with the AIDS Committee of Ottawa. FR: Nous vous écoutons! Nous sommes des étudiantes de 4e année en soins infirmiers qui développons un dépliant pour sensibiliser les professionnels de la santé à la stigmatisation que vivent les personnes vivant avec le VIH et l'hépatite C. Ce sondage est confidentiel/anonyme et développé en collaboration avec le Comité du SIDA d'Ottawa. https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSfDYxCmqsGvNbXP7/viewform

Space is limited due to COVID-19. SAW Gallery has an inside capacity of 33, therefor there are 26 tickets available for the general public & the remaining 7 spots will be reserved for staff working the event. Come join us on Saturday October 9th, 2021 for a special screening of the documentary Disclosure being hosted at SAW Gallery by the AIDS Committee of Ottawa and Carleton University Student Association Gender and Sexuality Resource Centre. Doors open at 6:00pm with th...e film screening starting at 6:15pm sharp! We ask all attendees to arrive for 5:45pm in order to prepare for COVID-19 screening questions and vaccine passport check-in. Please be sure to bring your proof of vaccination and a piece of ID. This event includes a free meal, so come hungry!

Can't wait to see you all there!

Its happening tonight! Come check out our event :)

Come out for a night of games, socializing, karaoke, and good eats in partnership with Somerset West Community Health Centre Karaoke night is geared towards African, Caribbean, and Black students providing a safer space to socialize in as part of an alternate #frosh. This is a great opportunity to get to know more about the community partners in your city like the AIDS Committee of Ottawa and Somerset West while also connecting with other post-secondary students who share liv...ed experiences. Karaoke night is free, and will include food for participants so come hungry! We are following COVID guidelines in the following way: To enter the space you must be wearing a mask and answer the Covid-19 customer screening questions. Our ACB Karaoke social will be held indoors at 19 Main St Time: 6:30pm 9:30pm. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/acb-karaoke-night-tickets-17740

One significant issue impacting Indigenous peoples in Canada is the disparity in health outcomes and health access! As a community based health-focused organization ACO endeavors to actively work towards more equitable health outcomes for Indigenous communities! Anti-discrimination work is healthcare and wellness work! ... We’re sure many of you have seen this fantastic short film put together by @CAAN about HIV from Indigenous perspectives, but we can’t recommend it enough! https://www.catie.ca/strong-medicine For more event info follow the link by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation https://bit.ly/3umP1EA Check out the great work that our friends in the community have been up to at: https://www.oahas.org/ https://wabano.com/ https://www.minlodge.com/ The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health OAHAS Minwaashin Lodge Programs Please respond in the comments with any organizations, art, or special events you want folks to know about! #NationalTruthandReconciliationDay #OrangeShirtDay

September 30th is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Today we honour the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit survivors of Residential Schools and to commemorate those who did not return. We reflect on the history and legacy of Canada's colonial past that will forever affect Indigenous communities. ... ACO will be closing the office and taking part in reflection on this day. September 30th aims to serve as a valuable day for reflection and in bolstering support for Indigenous peoples more broadly --- For more event info follow the link by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation https://bit.ly/3umP1EA Check out the great work that our friends in the community have been up to at: https://www.oahas.org/ https://wabano.com/ https://www.minlodge.com/ The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health OAHAS Minwaashin Lodge - Indigenous Women's Support Centre Please respond in the comments with any organizations, art, or special events you want folks to know about! #NationalTruthandReconciliationDay #OrangeShirtDay

Join us in a week on Oct 6 at 5PM for an evening of information and discussion! This workshop is intended to provide those living with HIV, as well as those who would like to know more, with information about the misguided and unjust use of the criminal law to prevent HIV transmission. It will also dig into public health authorities’ powers to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infection, including HIV. We will be joined by a lawyer from HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontari...o (HALCO) for the first hour. For the remaining 45 minutes, there will be a short quiz with a prize to test your knowledge, as well as a discussion group where you can unpack your thoughts and ask questions. Safer sex supplies as well as resource kits on behalf of ACO will be distributed for those who sign up asking for them beforehand. Pickup options available at 19 Main St, Carleton University, or Algonquin College. Please fill out google form linked to request desired supplies/kits :) https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/178102969777 Request a Harm Reduction kit: https://bit.ly/harm-reduction-kit-aco

On August 23rd, 2021, the Canadian Coalition to Reform HIV Criminalization (CCRHC) launched a community consultation regarding proposed Criminal Code reforms to limit #HIV criminalization. To provide your input on this important issue, follow the link below. This consultation will take place between August 23 October 22, 2021 via an online survey. To take the survey, use this link: ... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P9FWMLQ

September 27 is National Gay Men’s #HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Guys into guys are one of Canada's most acutely affected populations at risk of and living with HIV. Today is a day to honour those who've come before us in the fight to eradicate HIV, to acknowledge those living with HIV and to remember those we have lost. ... If you're looking to act, some things you can do are: Talk to your doctor about PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis prevents the transmission of HIV if taken before a sexual contact) Tell a friend about PrEP Get involved with your local organizations Learning more about the sex you want: https://thesexyouwant.ca/ #StopHIVTogether #NGMHAAD

If you want to get self-tested for #HIV, it is available as part of GetaKit mail-out pilot! Follow the link for more information: https://getakit.ca/aco/

Today is Hamper day! This year we are distributing 250 hampers to local families! This time of year can be very difficult for a lot of folks, and that is compounded by the difficulties of COVID and other intersections. This is an ongoing effort to support and build community during these shifting times!...

Great words of support for an important day. Sex Worker advocacy have uncountable contributions to our local and national community!

It's that time of the year! We are a little less than a week away (Dec 22) from our annual Holiday Meal Basket day; this year we are distributing 250 baskets to families in Ottawa. Consider donating to help support your local community and help tackle the issue of food insecurity <3

I put the tree up in the Living Room at ACO today. Our Participants may not be able to come in but that is not a reason not to put it up. People passing by can still enjoy it.

Our friends over at Somerset West have a lot of great services including the below! We're excited about their ACB offerings <3

Brigitte your advocacy and involvement do Ottawa and ACO proud! In an interview with CBC about ACO’s food bank program, Brigitte emphasized the importance of food banks to our community, and the need for donations for the Ottawa Food Bank this holiday season. ... Awesome work Brigitte! You always do such a great job of representing the #HIV community! <3 #ottawa #foodbank https://www.cbc.ca//hiv-aids-donations-ottawa-food-bank-20

Do you know of any age-friendly communities or age-friendly initiatives with a specific focus on the inclusion of LGBTQ2S+ people? Guelph University wants to hear from you! This online survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be found at https://bit.ly/33qofzS or by following the link in the poster. Thank you!

Cooking continues; packing is underway!

We invite participants to drop by ACO tomorrow from 3-5PM for turkey day/ autumn dinner pickup! Fall can be a difficult transition time for folks during the best of times, come grab a warm home made meal and say a quick hello. We're a little crestfallen that it isn't safe for our typical large gatherings -- so we've made sure the food is amazing! ... #ottawa

The ON-PrEP Cohort Study is currently hiring! If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a participant recruiter, please visit https://www.actoronto.org//onprep-participant-recruiter-po for more information!

Tomorrow is #WorldMentalHealthDay By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, about 1 in 2 haveor have hada mental illness. Community and connection is an important part of mental wellness, we are here to talk <3

Many of us have strong feelings and responses as we process yesterday's verdict. Here is a list of resources available for African, Caribbean & Black communities that may need emotional and practical support. You can also contact @DistressCentreO 24/7 at 613-238-3311

Come join us for HIV 101! Learn about the basics of HIV/AIDS, Priority Populations, Transmission of HIV, Managing Risks, and Stigma and Disclosure. This is the first step to volunteering and getting involved in the community! HIV 101... 6pm-8:00pm, Wed, Oct 28 Meeting ID: 81657440959 For questions or inquiries, contact Bryan ([email protected])

COMIC: NO POLICE AT OVERDOSES Does the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act work as its intended? While overdoses are a medical emergency, police are often attendin...g overdose scenes with negative consequences for people who use drugs. See full comic here: http://hivlegalnetwork.ca//comic-no-police-at-overdoses-/

Ottawa Public Health had this informative and candid post on the current state of COVID last week. We're hopeful for a future where our collective diligence and effort pays off with a healthier and safer community <3

A very special thank you to our amazing staff and volunteers who have been cooking all day yesterday and today, and packing nearly 200 Thanksgiving meals for our community members to pick up this evening. At ACO, we are thankful to be able to provide essential services to our community during this holiday weekend. From our ACO family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Rest in piece Timothy.

Tomorrow is #WorldMentalHealthDay By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, about 1 in 2 haveor have hada mental illness. Community and connection is an important part of mental wellness, we are here to talk <3

Happy #bivisibilityday! Did you know that bisexual erasure can be just as subtle as it is overt? Here are some phrases you might have heard before. We encourage you to challenge them in your daily life. #bisexual #bisexualvisibility #2slgbtq

Come join us for HIV 101! Learn about the basics of HIV/AIDS, Priority Populations, Transmission of HIV, Managing Risks, and Stigma and Disclosure. This is the first step to volunteering and getting involved in the community! HIV 101... 6pm-8:00pm, Wed, Oct 28 Meeting ID: 81657440959 For questions or inquiries, contact Bryan ([email protected])

A big thanks to community members, board members, staff, volunteers and allies for joining us for our 2020 Virtual Annual General Meeting. The sense of community was palpable in overcoming the limits of virtual platforms. Members are encouraged to pickup printed copies of our Annual Report by appointment in the next couple of weeks!... Please contact [email protected] if you would like a high quality image file of the collaborative cover page or of the entire annual report. Please visit http://aco-cso.ca/ and scroll down the page to see a virtual booklet version of the annual report!

A renowned British Columbia doctor is being celebrated for his pioneering work fighting #HIV/AIDS with a new commemorative stamp! His past sentiments ring true now as ever: The early days were tremendously painful and difficult. The stigma, discrimination, disinterest on the subject matter, apathy by political leadership and the like it was all a huge drawback, he said. https://globalnews.ca//pioneering-b-c-hiv-aids-researcher/

Pleased to share that the #supportingoursisters drop in is starting up again. Folks will be asked to wear a mask, or provided one if necessary, only 10 people m...ay enter at a time, contact info will be taken, and food will be served to go. If you have any questions please call our STORM van. See more

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. 11 people died by suicide every day in Canada: our government must increase funding to mental health programs in Canada and... make mental health care accessible for everyone if we want to reduce these numbers. #WSPD2020 Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention - CASP Aujourd’hui c’est la Journée mondiale de prévention du suicide. 11 personnes meurent par suicide chaque jour au Canada : si nous voulons réduire ce nombre, il faut que notre gouvernement augmente le financement des programmes en santé mentale. #jmps2020

Pleased to announce the launch of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Nursing website. Featuring: Educational resources and virtual simulation gam...es. Heaps of 2SLGBTQI community involvement in script writing and acting in the clinical videos. More videos to come on Bi & Pan, Intersex, and Two Spirit. Please check it out, www.soginursing.ca (Funded by CIHR trainee grants) See more

September is suicide prevention month. Checkout our friends over at seeking help for some great resources.