Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build

10 Fun Things to Do During this Weekend in Toronto

What to do in Toronto this weekend

City of Toronto Festival and Events Calendar

Kay Roesslein’s Retirement Party

After more than 30 years of passion, unstoppable love, hard work and unwavering hope and service for the HIV sector, the LGBTQ2S+ Community and all those who most frequently face the gaps in our system; Kay Roesslein is retiring from LOFT. Kindly join us today Wednesday at the Golden Pigeon to celebrate her vibrant trajectory.

Packed Deputation Sessions, Budget Committee’s Advice to the Mayor, and New Briefing Notes

City Budget Watch

It’s been a busy week at Budget Committee! About 270 Toronto residents participated in Budget Sub-Committee deputation sessions on Monday and Tuesday. The Budget Committee concluded the week with a review of new briefing notes prepared by City staff.  Voted on a motion that puts forward several recommendations to inform the Mayor’s budget set to be released on February 1.

CATIE is offering a free HIV Treatment course across Ontario!

HIV treatment is a lifesaver. With consistent treatment, people living with HIV can have a long and healthy life. An added benefit of consistent HIV treatment is that it prevents the sexual and perinatal transmission of HIV.Another benefit of consistent HIV treatment is the reduction of risk in HIV transmission through sharing injection equipment. Service providers play a crucial role in meaningfully supporting people and communities affected by HIV and connecting them to ongoing care.

Registration link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7623717/HTX-ON-0124

Course start date: Jan 15th 2024

Online meeting date: February 7th, 2024, 1-3pm EST

The purpose of the course is to support frontline service providers to talk to their clients about HIV treatment. It also supports them to think about starting, staying on or resuming treatment.  

This course includes approximately four – five hours of online instruction delivered over four weeks. It includes weekly self-directed modules and collaborative discussion boards facilitated by a CATIE educator, and an interactive synchronous online meeting with our educators and fellow students.

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CATIE is offering a free Hepatitis C Treatment course across Ontario!

Did you know that hepatitis C is curable? Treatment today consists of highly effective medications that are easier to take than ever before. CATIE’s Hepatitis C Treatment course aims to develop in-depth knowledge on the treatment of hepatitis C for frontline service providers working with clients who have hepatitis C or are at risk for hepatitis C. Through this course,participants will gain information on the benefits of treatment and an overview of what treatment for hepatitis C typically includes. This course will help participants to be able to accurately answer client questions on hepatitis C treatment options, access to treatment, and additional considerations for treatment. Participants will emerge with strategies to support clients before,during, and after treatment.

Course start date: Jan 29th,2024

Online meeting date:February 15th, 2024, 1-3pm EST

The purpose of the course is to support frontline service providers to talk to their clients about hepatitis C treatment and support them to consider starting, staying on, or repeating treatment.

This course includes approximately four-five hours of online instruction delivered over four weeks. It includes weekly self-directed modules, collaborative discussion boards facilitated by a CATIE educator, andan interactive synchronous online meeting with our educators and fellow students.

ACT offers a wide range of group-based programs. Some of these are support groups, some of these are more educational in nature. We offer groups specifically for people living with HIV, for those concerned about their risk for HIV, as well as groups that focus on mental health or substance use.

Meth & Sex Drop-Ins: We have officially opened up the monthly Meth & Sex Drop-In group to the broader GBQMSM community. We will be running a drop-in space for folks to discuss issues pertaining to Meth and Sex.It currently takes place the second Wednesday of each month at 5.30-7.30 pm andis a support group. If you or a friend might be interested, please contact Maher Sinno <msinno@actoronto.ca>  to add you to the outreach list. Registration required before attending if you haven't previously attended a 7 or 8 week Meth & Sex Group!

Counsellor

Family Services Toronto is Seeking a Counsellor  - Scarborough Application Submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 26, 2024

Family Services Toronto is Seeking a Counsellor  - Etobicoke Application Submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 26, 2024

Case Manager - Blue Door Clinic

Casey House currently have an opportunity for a Case Manager to join our Blue Door Clinic (BDC) team. Application Submitted by 11:59 PM on Sunday, February 18, 2024

The Teresa Group is Hiring

Teresa  Group is seeking a Philanthropy and Communications Manager , a Program Manager, and a Family Support Coordinator.. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2024

The Realize Podcast! What Do You Think?

Realize is pleased to announce the creation of our own podcast (hosted by our resident mediawhiz, Shaun Proulx), coming soon for your listening pleasure! But first,we’d like to know what YOU would like to discover in a podcast from Realize.

Please complete this brief survey (5-7 minutes) about your current podcast listening habits, and tell us what you, Realize supporters, would like us to discuss/focus on, on our podcast.

All survey responses will remain anonymous. However, as a thank you, we invite you to participate in a draw for a Realize gift card by sharing your name and email address at the end of the survey

Our team (Carrie Martin, PhD Candidate under the supervision of Dr. Mark Watson, and Jasmine Cotnam, Community Research Coordinator) have been working on a new research study and we need your help. 

 Our goal of this new study is to understand if and how we can adapt and operationalize a Women-Centered HIV Care Model to better fit the needs of Indigenous women living with HIV in Canada. 

 We hope that by making changes to this Model that are aligned with the identified needs and concerns of Indigenous women living with HIV, that we can help to improve HIV care experiences and health outcomes.  

Adapting and operationalizing the Women-Centered HIV Care Model for Indigenous Women Living with HIV in Canada

Who Can Participate? 

• You self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and/or Metis) 

• You self-identify as a woman (inclusive of cis women, trans women, two-spirit, femme/feminine-identifying genderqueer, and non-binary 

• You have been diagnosed with HIV 

• You are 18 years of age or older 

• You live in British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec 

• You can communicate in English (or French for Quebec site)

How to Participate
If you meet these requirements and are interested in helping, sign up for the study by contacting either Carrie Martin at carri_ma@live.concordia.ca or Jasmine Cotnam at Jasminecotnam@mail.com.