What’s New?
Ontario’s HIV sector stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter to resist anti-Black racism and anti-Black violence.
Over the past week, we’ve witnessed unprecedented violence against Black communities in North America - much of it at the hands of the police and the state. The latest incidents of state-sanctioned violence against Black people, including Regis Korchinski-Paquet, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others, remind us that to be Black in North America is to live with enduring and historic anti-Black racism that perpetuates violence, and systemic, economic, health and social inequities. In recognition of these realities, the Ontario AIDS Network and its members stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter movements in Ontario, across Canada, and around the world.
This is a critical moment for Ontario’s HIV sector to stand in solidarity with Black communities and speak out against anti-Black racism. It is vital that our network commit publicly to challenging white supremacy and to raising our collective voice against pervasive violence and systemic discrimination against Black people.
Our organizations and movement are built on foundational social justice principles that endure in our work to this day. Many of these same principles lay at the foundation of the Black Lives Matter movement. Our histories of collective HIV activism and the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall riots are prescient reminders of our deep roots of social action and resistance and of what change can come when we act together.
As we continue to use our collective tools and voices to dismantle HIV stigma and to challenge the status quo, we must begin to speak out louder on behalf of and with Black communities and organizations like Black Lives Matter. We must collectively acknowledge high and persistent HIV rates in Ontario’s African, Caribbean and Black communities and the ways that anti-Black racism and persistent health inequities contribute to this reality. Our collective voices must also rise in resistance to anti-Indigenous racism, transphobia, and countless other forms of oppression in our community.
While the state has indeed perpetrated violence against Black communities, we must acknowledge the role of our organizations in perpetuating this violence. As community-based organizations, we must examine the ways in which our own silence makes us complicit and commit to identifying and addressing occurrences of anti-Black racism within our sector and organizations.
The Ontario AIDS Network and its membership stand with those fighting for the fair and equitable treatment of Black communities at home and abroad. We the undersigned:
• Affirm this statement in solidarity with Black communities and with the Black Lives Matter movement.
• Commit ourselves to challenging anti-Black racism and violence through our actions.
• Commit to ensuring that Black communities who access HIV-related services in Ontario can do so without fear of discrimination.
Black Lives Matter.
Read the full statement here: https://oan.red/blm/
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection is collecting handmade face masks to be distributed to those we serve through our Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service. Many of our clients experience challenges, including housing instability, that make social distancing difficult. Face coverings are an additional measure that we are requesting on behalf of our clients to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
We need our community’s help. If you are able to sew or make a non-medical mask, please contact Fran at fmckeown@hivaidsconnection.ca or (519) 239-0802. We will accept donation drop-offs at John Gordon Home (596 Pall Mall Street, London, ON) between 8 AM—5 PM. Please contact Fran if pick-up is required.
It is recommended that donated masks:
- Fit snugly, but comfortably, without causing difficulty breathing
- Should include straps or ties to secure the mask over one’s ears
- Should include multiple layers of fabric
- Should be easy to machine wash and dry without damaging the integrity of the mask
For more information about how to make a face mask, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Nominate a Volunteer: VKH Awards
Nominations are now open for RHAC's volunteer awards! Regional HIV/AIDS Connection’s Volunteer Awards highlight how volunteers have enhanced the delivery of our mission in the counties we serve. The awards celebrate volunteers who embody our value statement: “The courage to do what is right” and embrace our vision of Voice, Knowledge and Hope while exemplifying our guiding principles.
To nominate a volunteer:
- Fill out our online form
- Email the completed form to fmckeown@hivaidsconnection.ca
Deadline is May 31.
RHAC's next scheduled PrEP Clinic (April 3, 2020) will be provided by phone. After that time, the mode of delivery for our bi-weekly PrEP Clinic (i.e. phone appointments vs. in-person appointments) will be determined based on the most current information available about COVID-19 and municipal, provincial and federal health recommendations. We will be sure to share updates accordingly. Thank you for your ongoing flexibility, understanding and support during this time.
Effective March 23, 2020, calls to RHAC’s main phone lines at (519) 434 1601 or toll-free at 1 (866) 920-1601 will be handled through our automated messaging service. You will be provided with guided instructions for leaving your message on staff extensions. Messages will be checked regularly and responded to as soon as possible. Please note that you will still have the option to leave a message on our general agency mailbox, send emails directly to staff, or email RHAC at info@hivaidsconnection.ca. All other RHAC services remain unchanged from last week's announcement.
"Regional HIV/AIDS Connection remains committed to offering meaningful and effective support and education to those we serve, as we navigate emerging information," says Holly Taylor, RHAC's Manager of HIV/HCV Support Services. "We are pleased to share the following document, published by UNAIDS; a reputable and trusted source for information, about unique considerations surrounding the COVID-19 for people living with HIV."
According to UNAIDS, "It’s important to underline that there is currently no strong evidence that people living with HIV are at an especially increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or if they do contract it they will experience a worse outcome. This does not mean that people living with HIV should take COVID-19 lightly and they must take all precautions to protect themselves." (via UNAIDS).
"Like HIV-negative people, HIV-positive may also be at risk for coronavirus-related complications if they are over the age of 65 or have any of the underlying conditions associated with greater risk of illness, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney injury." (Source: CATIE)
To learn more about what you need to know about HIV and COVID-19, visit: https://www.unaids.org/en/20200317_covid19_hiv
Please be advised that our reception service at RHAC's 186 King St. location has changed and the main door entrance will be locked.
In lieu of dropping into our physical office space, we ask that our community members seeking supports please call ahead at (519) 434-1601 to arrange a time to visit. We want to ensure we are able to meet your needs as staffing levels may change day to day. All requests for on-site service visits will be subject to COVID-19 screening measure prior to access.
If the line is busy, please feel free to leave a message and someone will return your call as quickly as possible. If you are calling outside the hours of 9am-5pm, please leave a message or contact us by email at info@hivaidsconnection.ca and someone will follow up within the next business day. In addition, RHAC staff are being supported to work remotely and can be reached via the contact information listed on our Staff Directory: www.hivaidsconnection.ca/contact/staff-directory.
Our North Entrance for Counterpoint and Carepoint service users will remain accessible with continued COVID-19 screening measures in place.
It is a difficult decision for RHAC to restrict our front reception services. However, we believe that ensuring the health and safety of staff and community will allow us to continue to make a positive impact during this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
To our valued community members,
For 35 years, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) has committed to the health and wellbeing of the people we serve. Our ongoing response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is guided by this longstanding principle as we take action to protect the health and safety of service users, staff, volunteers, and community members.
RHAC is implementing the following measures to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of our team, including:
- On-site and phone screening for COVID-19 symptoms
- Non-essential service staff will be supported to work remotely
- Strict adherence to universal precautions and pandemic mitigation hygiene standards
- Suspension of engagement in all “in person” community/stakeholder meetings
- RHAC board will use technology to conduct governance business
The following programming will be impacted as of March 17, until further notice:
- Couch crew drop in is suspended
- Social support groups are cancelled
- A Taste for Life is cancelled
- LGBTQ Open Closet social support group is cancelled
- Scheduled Community Partner Outreach and related Drop In Outreach is cancelled
- (on site) HIV/HCV testing is cancelled
- Public speaking engagements and education sessions are suspended
The following programs will continue as scheduled:
- John Gordon Home - 24/7 residential care
- Carepoint/Counterpoint - 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Outreach Van (Counterpoint) for people who use substances –door drop off only
- Country Cupboard – temporary home delivery beginning in April
- HIV/HCV Client Support Services – using phone as primary source of contact
RHAC will continue to closely monitor this situation and follow the recommendations of Canada’s public health authorities.
Thank you to our community partners, staff, and volunteers for working with us to deliver the best possible care and support. RHAC will post updates to this information each Monday or as needed.
Wishing health and wellness to everyone during this challenging time.
Brian Lester,
Executive Director
For additional information about COVID-19:
https://www.healthunit.com/news/novel-coronavirus