Letter from the Chairman & Executive Director The past year has been exciting and full of many new initiatives for AIDS Calgary Awareness Association. Whereas the last year was one of transition as we moved into our new offices and let the community know where we were, this year has been more about building on new and existing partnerships locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. It has also been a year of reflection about the ever changing face of HIV, our future directions as an organization and our efforts with clients and the Calgary and area population.
HIV/AIDS is a disease whose causes and effects are multiple and different for each person it affects and infects. It is in this light that AIDS Calgary has taken, in the past, and will continue to take in the future a leadership role in developing community partnerships and links with other organizations. HIV/AIDS knows no boundaries and operates with no limits. In order to combat this disease effectively, we must become as fluid and borderless as it is. Only together, with shared knowledge and resources, can we present a strong front against it. AIDS Calgary has long worked in conjunction with HIV-oriented partners through the HIV/AIDS Strategies (HAS) Coalition (now called the Calgary Coalition on HIV and AIDS), the Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH) and the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS). In addition to these, we have also developed partnerships across the com-munity. Many of these partnerships emerge as the natural consequence of our programming needs. These partnerships with other health care, non profit, social work and charity organizations allow us to benefit from combined talents, experiences, resources and perspectives. AIDS Calgary recently began the groundwork for a
working international partnership with the Child Foundation of India based in
Vishakhapatnam, India. The Child Foundation of India has been providing front-line
HIV/AIDS prevention programs since 1985. This international partnership will give both
agencies the opportunity to exchange front-line staff and expertise. This
"twinning" partnership will help us engage with and understand better what
skills and resources we can share in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. CONFRONTING THE MYTHS SURROUNDING HIV AND AIDS One of AIDS Calgarys ongoing challenges is dealing with the false notions that many people still have about HIV and AIDS. A large part of AIDS Calgarys awareness campaign over the course of the past year has been devoted to confronting the myths surrounding HIV and AIDS. Among the myths that many people still hold are:
All of theses statements are untrue and all are potentially dangerous and damaging. Take a look around the world. HIV is ravaging many countries. It is estimated that in 10 years, South Africa will have very few or no people left between the ages of 25 and 45. It is only because of our vigilance and quickness to modify our behaviors that we have attained some level of control (however limited) over HIV in North America. HIV does not discriminate if you engage in risky activities such as unsafe sex or sharing dirty needles, you run the risk (regardless of your race, gender, sexual orientation or class) of infection. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS nor is there a vaccine. Harm reduction techniques (such as providing clean needles and condoms) are important tools in teaching people, and giving them the opportunity, to protect themselves. Until a cure is found, HIV infections all over the world must be a concern for Canadians. This virus is not like us, it knows no boundaries or borders. It is vital that we continue to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and continue to dispel the myths and ignorance that surround this disease. Only when people know the real facts can they make informed and healthy choices. "MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES
In April, after an extensive community consultation carried out by the AIDS Calgary Board of Directors, members of the Board and AIDS Calgary staff gathered together to reconsider the AIDS Calgary mission statement. Since the inception of AIDS Calgary in the mid 1980s, much has changed with HIV and AIDS. To ensure that we, as an agency, are constantly responsive to these changes, it is important that we occasionally take a step back and reexamine where we are going. As a result of the consultation process, it was decided that, in addition to a renewed mission statement, it would be beneficial to have a slogan, a memorable statement that summed up AIDS Calgary's philosophy. "Making healthy choices reducing the harm" emerged as a phrase that encapsulated much of the work that we do at AIDS Calgary. By helping persons living with HIV/AIDS to find knowledge and resources, our support services offer them a chance to make healthy informed decisions that can minimise the impact of HIV on their lives. By helping our clients to empower themselves, we are offering them the greatest support we can give them. "Making healthy choices reducing the harm" also encapsulates the philosophy of our HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention education programs. By providing people with accurate, relevant and factual information, we give people the opportunity to make choices that will reduce their risk of exposure to HIV. The Annual Report is an opportunity for us at AIDS Calgary to communicate to the community what it is we do, how we do it and why. We believe that, as you read through the following Annual Report the importance of community partnerships, confronting the myths around HIV and AIDS and "Making healthy choices reducing the harm" will become apparent.For those of us that work, volunteer or are involved in any way in the work that AIDS Calgary does, these themes inform our daily activities and will guide the philosophy of the agency as we move into the future.John Bonnycastle Kevin Midbo
New Mission Statement In the context of reducing harm, we:
Update: Community Outreach Providing information, education and
awareness enables the Community Outreach team to empower Calgary communities to make
informed decisions about HIV and AIDS. REPORT FROM THE TEAM LEADER Our peer-driven education programs are responsive to the diverse communities in our city; we promote and encourage all people to utilize a range of tools to reduce the risks associated with HIV/AIDS. Community Outreach strives to promote HIV awareness in culturally diverse ways that include the creation of respectful environments and programs that honour different cultural traditions. The Community Outreach team works to create community outreach initiatives that respond to new trends in HIV infection and to the unique circumstances of these target populations. Our community outreach work is created and strengthened through collaboration with community partners. Developing and sustaining community partnerships with a diverse range of agencies throughout Calgary enables us to reach the many communities present throughout the city. This is an ongoing priority for the Community Outreach team and we highly value our partnerships. THE MENS PROJECT Operated in partnership between AIDS Calgary and the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Association (GLCSA), The Mens Project provides outreach resources and information to men who have sex with men allowing them to make informed choices and to protect themselves against HIV. Through presentations, workshops and street-level outreach activities, the Mens Project made approximately 900 contacts in 1999/2000. The program had 17 volunteers who contributed a total of 228 hours during the same period. In 1999-2000, the Mens Project outreach worker distributed safer sex resources including 11,000 condoms and 5,500 lubricant packets at numerous venues frequented by men who have sex with men. In addition, the Mens Project contributes a monthly article to Outlooks Magazine that discusses issues of concern for gay and bisexual men. The Mens Project also forged strong partnerships this year with several community groups: ReVamp (Reduction of the Victimization of Male Youth in Prostitution), the Prevention Education Cluster of the Calgary HIV/AIDS Strategies Coalition, and the Calgary Gay and Lesbian Police Community Liaison committee. BREAKING THE BARRIERS: HIV/AIDS Breaking the Barriers is a new initiative begun in August 1999 to provide HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programming to immigrant and refugee communities in Calgary. Breaking the Barriers provides immigrant men and women with HIV prevention and sexual health information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. The program also delivers education and awareness to international students at various schools across Calgary. A total of 1225 participants received HIV prevention education through workshops and displays at immigrant-serving agencies. By the end of the 1999-2000 programming year, five active volunteers had contributed 200 hours to this program. Breaking the Barriers has benefited greatly from partnerships formed with immigrant-serving agencies in the Calgary area. Additionally, the projects outreach worker plays an active role on several related committees, including: The Comprehensive Integrated Reproductive Perinatal Care to HIV Positive Women Committee, and the Prevention Education Cluster of the Calgary HIV/AIDS Strategies Coalition.
SPEAKERS NETWORK Speakers Network is a volunteer-based HIV prevention and education program that provides presentations to secondary schools, post-secondary schools and other interested community groups in Calgary. The program consists of two workshops. AIDS 101 (which presents basic facts about HIV such as the methods of transmission and means of prevention) and AIDS 201 (which is presented by volunteers who are living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS). During the fiscal year of 1999-2000, Speakers Network made approximately 10,000 student contacts through 276 AIDS 101 and AIDS 201 presentations. The Speakers Network coordinator was also a member of the Aboriginal Cluster of the HIV/AIDS Strategies Coalition and a member of the Sexual Health Educators Steering Committee. This committee enabled AIDS Calgary to contribute to development of appropriate sexual health curricula for junior and senior high students in the Calgary school systems. YOUTHXCHANGE YouthXChange provides HIV prevention education, peer education and peer support through direct street-level outreach to street-involved youth. Through one-on-one discussions, YouthXChange outreach workers also provided problem-solving methods, referrals, advocacy and short-term support for at-risk youth. This program is essential in a city and nation where youth make up one of the fastest rising groups of HIV infection. According to the Calgary Regional Health Authorities, youth aged 20-29 accounted for 25.9% of all Calgary HIV infections in 1999. YouthXChange made over 2857 direct contacts with Calgary youth through direct street outreach, discussion groups, presentations and workshops, one-on-one support and referrals, community partnerships and youth training initiatives. The YouthXChange program continued to develop working partnerships with organizations serving youth and street-involved youth such as Exit Outreach (storefront and van), HERA, Boys and Girls Clubs across Calgary and GLSCAs Inside Out Group. Volunteer involvement is essential to the success of YouthXChange. Volunteers are involved in direct street outreach, discussion groups, team planning and special events. Fourteen volunteers were involved in YouthXChange this year and provided over 480 volunteer hours. NATIONAL CONDOM WEEK National Condom Week is an annual event coordinated around Valentines Day from February 14th to 21st. The purpose of National Condom Week is to raise awareness about safer sex practices among post-secondary students through condom distribution and HIV/AIDS awareness events. AIDS Calgary coordinates National Condom Week in partnership with The Calgary Birth Control Association (CBCA). Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA) also joined in this year to raise awareness about broader issues experienced by Calgary post-secondary students. AIDS Calgary, CBCA and CCASA staff and volunteers presented condom demonstrations and distributed 10,000 condoms to 5,000 students at six post-secondary institutions: The University of Calgary, Mount Royal College, ACAD, Bow Valley College, SAIT & DeVry campuses. "PUT A CONDOM ON YOUR COWBOY" The "Put a Condom on your Cowboy" poster/postcard campaign was an initiative of the Prevention and Education Cluster of the HIV/AIDS Strategies Coalition and aimed at raising HIV awareness in young heterosexual men. The campaign included posters and postcards that incorporated a cowboy theme and coincided with the Calgary Stampede kick-off. This years campaign received national media attention on CTVs Canada AM.
Update: Support Services "Support Services not only to helps
individuals cope with the progression of HIV but helps people living with HIV and AIDS
make healthy choices to improve their quality of life." REPORT FROM THE TEAM LEADER Many of Support Services programs have focused on working, with rather than for, individuals. In the coming year, Support Services will continue to develop programming that strengthens client self-determination as well as community involvement. Community development is an essential element in the delivery of Support Service programming as we strive to eliminate the social isolation, marginalization and discrimination of those living with HIV/AIDS. It is Support Services aim to create programming that involves the communities in which individuals living with HIV/AIDS live and function. AIDS Calgarys Support Services team provides a number of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. In 1999-2000, Support Services provided one-to-one support through 1732 client contacts. Support Services also provided a broad range of referral information to address complex client needs. In total, Support Services provided referrals through 425 client contacts. GREENBOUGH FUND The Greenbough Fund provides short-term emergency financial assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS. Emergency expenses covered by the Greenbough fund include assistance for temporary housing, food costs, clothing, transportation and/or health services. A total of 108 clients received emergency assistance or quality of life funds in 1999-2000. A total of $14,200 was disbursed from fundraised money. VOLUNTEER CARE TEAM PROGRAM The Volunteer Care Team is a support network to help address psycho-social issues for clients who are living with HIV/AIDS. Care Team volunteers help clients make life-enhancing choices and address their emotional and practical needs through one-on-one support and assistance. This year, 15 Care Team volunteers contributed 1591 hours to 25 clients. COMMUNITY KITCHEN PROGRAM The Community Kitchen Program was initiated in September 1999 upon the completion of the new agency kitchen facility. The Community Kitchen Program teaches persons living with HIV/AIDS how to cook affordable meals that meet their special nutritional needs in a much-needed social setting. Clients participate in a number of work-shops including food safety, nutrition, shopping for affordable yet nutritious meals and meal preparation. AIDS Calgary volunteers assist participants in all aspects of the program from planning the menus and budgeting food costs, to shopping for groceries and preparing the meals. In 1999/2000, six volunteers contributed 173 hours with 15 persons living with HIV/AIDS. The Mustard Seed Street Ministry and the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank generously assisted AIDS Calgary in the Community Kitchen Program by donating food. Over Summer 2000, AIDS Calgary staff, clients and volunteers look forward to developing our new Community Garden plot in Victoria Park. The Garden space is located near Victoria Park Community Association and will enable participants to raise produce and further reduce program costs.
Prison Project AIDS Calgarys Prison Project operates in conjunction with Safeworks Calgary and the John Howard Society to provide educational services to Calgary Corrections Centre and one-on-one support services for HIV-positive inmates. Support Services has also partnered with the Elizabeth Fry Society to provide service to HIV-positive individuals upon their release from prison. In 1999 -2000, the project delivered two information sessions to 179 inmates. Unfortunately, The Prison Project program experienced significant set-backs during 1999/2000. Support Service team members experienced delays getting security clearances for the Calgary Corrections Centre and, due to changes in AIDS Calgary personnel, are (at the time of publication) still awaiting security clearance. As a result, AIDS Calgary is unable to offer direct one-to-one support services to HIV-positive inmates. However, we are still able to offer direct support to HIV-positive inmates if they contact by phone. Support Outreach Project Increasingly, street-involved populations, such as injection drug users, are at risk of HIV infection. As such, AIDS Calgarys Support Outreach Project targets street-involved populations which include injection drug users, homeless people, people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk for HIV infection who may not otherwise have access to AIDS Calgary services. Support workers provide on-site HIV education and support services to clients at Alpha House and the Calgary Drop-In Centre. AIDS Calgary staff established 320 outreach contacts at these locations during 1999/2000. AIDS Calgary Support Services staff also offer on-site, confidential, one-on-one support services to critically ill clients at Beswick House. During 1999/2000, Support Services made 192 client contacts at Beswick House. Needle Exchange Program The AIDS Calgary Needle Exchange program was developed to provide harm reduction tools to injection drug users, who are amongst the populations most at-risk to contract HIV. The Needle Exchange program is a partnership between AIDS Calgary and Safeworks Calgary that serves injection drug users, providing HIV prevention education, health education, referrals and harm reduction tools such as clean needles, bleach, water, anti-septic swabs and condoms. Due to concerns about our in-house needle exchange, the AIDS Calgary Needle Exchange program has been modified since September 1999. At present, syringes are no longer being distributed to clients. However, clients are able to deposit used syringes at the AIDS Calgary agency site thereby removing them from street circulation and reducing the threat of harm. Clients are referred to off-site needle exchange resources for distribution of clean syringes. Support Services staff continue to provide support, education and harm reduction tools to street-involved populations on Safeworks Calgarys outreach van. A total of 386 participants used the AIDS Calgary needle exchange program in 1999. Efforts are currently underway to re-establish the Needle Exchange site at AIDS Calgary in 2000 - 2001.
Update: Information & Training "Information and knowledge allow us to
make healthy choices and reduce the harm." Without current and accurate information, we are unable to inform and respond to the changing face of HIV/AIDS. Over the past year, AIDS Calgarys Information and Training area has experienced the challenge of providing services that meet the complex needs of volunteers, consumers, staff and the general public. As the face of HIV/AIDS changes, so do our training and information services. In the upcoming year, Information and Training will continue to promote services that increase the communitys awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS, while dispelling some of the myths that have deadly consequences. In order to reduce harm and enhance the quality of life of individuals, we must continue to collaborate with partners in the community to create a compassionate society. We can do this through education. Education is advocacy by acknowledging and celebrating diversity, we can enhance the individuals ability and opportunity to make informed, healthy choices. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AIDS Calgary relies heavily upon volunteers to implement much of its programming. Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors, conduct public education and awareness presentations through Speakers Network, and provide emotional and practical support to persons living with HIV/AIDS through the Care Team program. As well, AIDS Calgarys fundraising efforts rely heavily upon volunteers. The Volunteer Management program coordinates all aspects of volunteer activity at AIDS Calgary. The Volunteer Management program recruits and trains suitable volunteers for each of the programming areas and acts as the liaison between AIDS Calgary and its volunteers. In 1999-2000, AIDS Calgary benefited from the efforts of over 120 volunteers. In addition, 300 volunteers donated their time to help out with special events such as Calgary Cares 2000, the AIDS Walk, the AIDS Calgary casino and National Condom Week. Through the course of 1999/2000, AIDS Calgary volunteers contributed over 20,810 hours of time. What a team effort! TRAINING FOR 2000 The Training for 2000 program was developed to provide HIV-awareness training to AIDS Calgary staff and volunteers, community service organisations, allied professionals and the community at-large. Training for 2000 consists of two primary components:
Twenty-five workshops were delivered to 210 participants while four presentations reached 812 participants. In addition to these workshops and presentations, AIDS Calgary offered information sessions. In total for 1999/2000, 1972 participants were reached through information sessions, presentations/displays, workshops/training and media contacts. INFORMATION AND RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT The goal of the Information and Resources Development program is to provide current information and resources about HIV/AIDS to AIDS Calgary staff, volunteers, clients, community organizations, educational institutions and the general public. The primary information resource compiled by the Information and Resources Development program are semi-monthly briefing documents. Each Briefing Document examines a single HIV-related topic from a global, national and local perspective. The agencys quarterly newsletter InStride continues to be produced on a regular basis. InStride is disseminated to all AIDS Calgary staff, members, clients and volunteers; it is also mailed to associated community partners, other Alberta AIDS service organizations and interested members of the general public. The AIDS Calgary website also continues to be an important component of the Agencys Information and Training plan. The website provides up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS in general, AIDS Calgary staff updates, programming information, fundraising and agency activities and links to various HIV/AIDS resources. As well, all Briefing Documents, fact sheets and InStride newsletters are posted on the website. A website counter was placed on our site on February 23, 2000. A total of 965 individuals (or 193 per week) visited our site in the last five weeks of the reporting period.
Regional Health Authority 5 Initiative Over the past year, AIDS Calgarys Information and Training team has initiated a project to provide HIV/AIDS awareness training to community service organisations in the Alberta Regional Health Authority 5 region (consisting of Drumheller, Strathmore, Carstairs and Hanna). This initiative was made possible by a funding grant from Alberta Health and Wellness. A seven-hour workshop trained 30 nurses about HIV transmission, at-risk groups, precautions in health care settings, and the psycho social issues of caring for people living with HIV/AIDS. As well, the Information and Training team developed and disseminated a comprehensive HIV/AIDS resource manual to allied professionals in the RHA5 region. The manual, called "HIV in the Rural Setting" provided 80 social service providers, educators and health care professionals with information and resources so that they could more confidently respond to issues relevant to those infected, affected, or at risk for HIV/AIDS.
"Confronting the Myths Surrounding HIV/AIDS" Brochure The brochure "Confronting the Myths Surrounding HIV/AIDS" was developed by the Communications Coordinator in collaboration with the agencys Team Leaders. Initially conceptualised as part of AIDS Awareness Week campaign, the brochure has been integrated into AIDS Calgarys ongoing HIV-awareness campaigns. This brochure was distributed to staff, volunteers, students, professionals, persons living with HIV/AIDS, media and the general public at various events and workshops throughout the year. During AIDS Awareness Week, workshops were held for 170 Mount Royal College students on Confronting the Myths Surrounding HIV/AIDS. The brochure was produced with great support from the community. Students in the Alberta College of Art and Design Graphic Design program provided brochure layout and design. Printing costs were subsidised by the generous sponsorship of DuPont Pharma, Merck-Frosst and Hoffman LaRoche.
Positive Action: Acting Positively Positive Action a group of HIV positive people who gather together and offer a positive (both literal and figurative) voice to the agency has been involved in many exciting new initiatives this year. In addition to our representation on the AIDS Calgary Board of Directors, Positive Action planned and held a retreat in the Fall of October 1999. The retreat was held at Camp Chief Hector one hour west of Calgary and hosted by the YMCA.Starting out with a visit to the Bar U Historical Site for a wagon ride, activities were definitely in keeping with the theme of the retreat. Such activities included a visit to a sweat lodge, candle-making and aroma therapy. For those who didn't participate, there were movies to watch and trails to explore.Positive Action is also starting a new initiative the Positive Living Lunch Program. This program will allow persons living with HIV/AIDS to gather for a nutritious meal, socialize, network and gather new information about HIV and AIDS.Positive Action received funding to host a provincial gathering of HIV positive people, Symposium 2001.There is much to look forward to in the coming year.Jennifer Hebert
Fundraising
AIDS Walk AIDS Walk 99 was the most successful Calgary AIDS Walk yet. Over 1000 people joined the walk, including 485 people who collected pledges. AIDS Walk 99 raised over $70,000, an increase over last years gross! Local Sponsors National Sponsors
Calgary Cares
This years Calgary Cares was a fantastic success. Over 700 people attended, over 200 designers, hair stylists, make up artists and models contributed over 3500 hours to organize the show. And over 140 Calgary businesses contributed prizes and 14 of Calgarys best restaurants and beverage companies donated food and refreshments. The theatrical gala was extremely well received by audience and participants alike. In addition to being a profitable fundraising venture, Calgary Cares was a great awareness raising event and a community celebration in support of HIV/AIDS work. It was voted by readers of Fast Forward Magazine as the second best fund raiser in the city. Third Party Fundraisers AIDS Calgary continues to be the beneficiary of third party fundraisers. These fundraisers, which are organized entirely by members of the community, not only raise funds for AIDS Calgary programs, they also demonstrate grassroots support for the work that the agency does in the community. In 1999/2000, AIDS Calgary supporters coordinated five third party fundraisers, raising a combined total of just under $3000. Thanks to Sage Theatre, Tara Kozak at Kittens & Creeps, The Warehouse, The Calgary Straight, and Hot 103 SAIT Campus Radio. AIDS Calgary Casino AIDS Calgarys annual casino fundraiser took place at the Elbow River Inn Casino on August 8 and 9, 1999. AIDS Calgary volunteers put in tireless eight-hour shifts for the duration of the event. In total, AIDS Calgary received $36,376.53 for our involvement. Thanks to all who helped to make it happen! First Annual Letter Appeal AIDS Calgarys first Annual Mail-Out Campaign took place in the early winter and spring of 1999 and 2000. This years appeal raised money to help AIDS Calgary better serve the at-risk youth population in Calgary. In total, this campaign raised just over $22,000, which was a bit below our goal. The campaign will be examined and retooled for next year. Thanks again to the Calgary community for their generous support! Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsor Bronze Sponsors Contributors Media Sponsors
Agency Events CANADIAN HIV/AIDS SKILLS BUILDING SYMPOSIUM The second Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium "Getting Together, Sharing Together, Learning Together: An Interactive Learning Experience for People Working in HIV/AIDS" was held in Winnipeg from November 12th to 15th, 1999. The Symposium was an excellent learning and networking opportunity for AIDS Calgary staff members who participated. Highlights included: workshops about community-based research, international HIV/AIDS issues, care and treatment for HIV-positive individuals, twinning projects with other AIDS service organizations, organizational development, legal and ethical issues, prevention and care strategies for specific target populations, HIV/AIDS work in ethno-cultural communities, and grief and loss management for those in the HIV/AIDS field. The AIDS Calgary attendees came back with many resources and increased knowledge to be shared through workshops and an expanded library. OPEN HOUSE On November 18, AIDS Calgary hosted an Open House to officially unveil the agencys newly renovated offices. The evening was a smashing success with over 75 guests attending. Present were Mogens Smed and Andrew Moor from SMED International and Brian Siebenga of Siebenga Design both companies were instrumental and generous in the agency rebuilding.
AIDS Calgary: Looking to the Future YOUTHXCHANGE: THEATRE PROJECT, ZINE AND WEBSITE AIDS Calgarys YouthXChange program constantly seeks new and innovative ways to reach high-risk, street-involved youth. As we move into the next fiscal year, we will be implementing three new projects to reach street-involved youth. The Theatre Project (funded by the Calgary Youth Foundation) will operate as "developmental" and "form" improvisational drama where youth act out their own reactions and decisions in realistic life situations about drug use, sexuality, family problems and peer pressure. The YouthXChange Zine (or street magazine) is a peer-driven project comprised of drawings, articles and poems submitted by street-involved youth to address issues about HIV prevention, sexuality, safer sex practices, healthy relationships, empowerment, drug use and sexual abuse. The YouthXChange web-site will include a message board where youth can anonymously post a question to be answered by YouthXChange staff, and a chat room where youth have the opportunity to discuss issues with other youth. The website will allow AIDS Calgary to reach rural populations where there may not be access to HIV/AIDS prevention services. POSITIVE LIVING LUNCH PROGRAM AIDS Calgary increasingly focuses its support services to help people living with HIV/AIDS reduce the harm caused by HIV. To this end, Support Services and Positive Action will conduct a biweekly lunch at the AIDS Calgary Community Kitchen facility. The Positive Living Lunch Program will allow individuals living with HIV/AIDS to gather in a safe and supportive environment to share a nutritious meal, enjoy the support of their peers and address health concerns. Volunteers from our community kitchen will help to prepare the meal and guest speakers will make presentations or facilitate discussions about topics such as new HIV treatments, nutrition, therapies, vocational skills and other issues of concern to people living with HIV/AIDS. TWINNING PROJECT In the upcoming year, AIDS Calgary will embark on a twinning project, or a formal partnership, with the Child Foundation of India. The Child Foundation of India is an AIDS service organisation in the city of Visakhapatnam, a port city on the east coast of India, with a population of 1.5 million people. This twinning project will include training exchanges (or internships) for staff of both organizations. AIDS Calgary will also assist the Child Foundation of India to evaluate and strengthen existing programs and establish new ones as needed. The purpose of this twinning project is to enhance the skills of staff at both agencies through the exchange of expertise, experience, resources and programming knowledge. By sharing resources and expertise, we can learn more about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in other regions of the world and help to build a concerted effort to reduce its harms. The Canadian International Development Agency and the Canadian Society for International Health provide funding for this project. INFORMATION & TRAINING AIDS Calgary has partnered with Shaw Cable, The AIDS Channel and Health Canada to create a unique AIDS awareness campaign. Beginning in the fall of this year, two Public Service Announcements featuring Jann Arden will be aired across Canada. The intent of the campaign is to enable audiences to make healthy choices through self-empowerment, to portray the different faces of AIDS and to contribute to the reduction of the stigmatization of the disease. Information and Training played a key role in the creation of the content for these announcements.
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*Note: This excess represents a large one-time in-kind donation.
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