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What’s New?

November 1, 2021

 

Attention: Community Partners/Collaborators, Contractors and Purchased Services,

In response to public health recommendations, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) has instituted a COVID-19 vaccination requirement as part of our ongoing pandemic response.

Effective Friday, November 19, 2021, only persons who are fully vaccinated or who are subject to routine rapid-antigen testing (and receive a negative test result within 72 hours of their attendance) will be permitted to perform services on behalf of RHAC.

Fully vaccinated is defined as having received two (2) doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of COVID-19 vaccines as recognized by Health Canada; and having received the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.

All contractors and service agreement agencies who perform services with or on behalf of RHAC are impacted by this requirement, as follows:

  • Any person who interacts with RHAC clients directly in-person on behalf of RHAC; and/or
  • Any person who interacts with RHAC staff who provide direct client care in-person (excludes limited interaction such as deliveries); and
  • Services are performed onsite at any RHAC location or temporary service location.

Agencies/Contractors/Community Partners must attest that their onsite personnel/representatives are fully vaccinated and that you have confirmed their vaccination status by viewing their proof of vaccination. Attestation also requires that you ensure any representing individuals who are not fully vaccinated complete a rapid-antigen COVID-19 test within 72 hours before attending an RHAC service location. RHAC has emailed the required attestation documentation to relevant stakeholders.

Should RHAC become subject to mandatory vaccination directives or receive further recommendation/guidance from public health, requirements extended to contracted service agencies/collaborators/partners may change in response. Future changes may include statistical reporting of applicability, compliance, and participation.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this requirement as we strive to maintain the health and safety of everyone serving the RHAC mission.

October 18, 2021

 

Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is interested in receiving proposals from qualified individuals/organizations to provide a Diversity and Inclusion Assessment.

View and download the RFP here: RFP - Diversity and Inclusion Assessment

RFP inquiries will be entertained via email during the week of October 18th through to October 22nd at noon

Completed proposals including a draft work plan with proposed timelines can be emailed to Luke Nocent, Manager of Human Resources at lnocent@hivaidsconnection.ca. Proponents are solely responsible for ensuring Proposals are received prior to the closing date and time of: 4:30 PM on Friday November 5, 2021.

Thank you for your interest and consideration.

All email inquiries must be directed solely to Luke Nocent Manager of Human Resources at lnocent@hivaidsconnection.ca.


October 1, 2021

 

RHAC is proud to celebrate 2SLGTBQIA+ communities all year long. 

October is officially 2SLGBTQIA+ History Month, and this month we are reflecting on the historical and everyday achievments made by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This October, and every day, we acknowledge the incredible ways that 2SLGBTQIA+ people make history and contribute to brighter futures.

 

September 30, 2021

 

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today, we honour the children, survivors, families and communities affected by the residential school system. As an organization, we continue to acknowledge the harmful legacy and ongoing impact of atrocities committed against Indigenous communities. 

This is the first year that September 30 has been designated a federal statutory holiday. In addition to honouring this day through a circle ceremony and a moment of silence, RHAC will keep our doors and services open to continue providing essential services to community members. 

Here are some actions you can consider taking today (and everyday):

  1. Wear orange, in solidarity, to honour the experiences of the children, survivors, families and communities affected by residential schools. Visit orangeshirtday.org to learn more.
  2. Review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
  3. Listen to the stories and experiences of residential school survivors, including books and media by Indigenous artists, authors and creators.
  4. Donate to Indigenous-led causes, like Atlohsa Family Healing Services.
  5. Acknowledge and learn more about the traditional territories you are living and working on. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-first-nations-maps or https://native-land.ca or https://www.caut.ca/content/guide-acknowledging-first-peoples-traditional-territory to get started.

 

AGM

September 9, 2021

 

Please join us virtually on Thursday, September 9 from 6-7:30 PM for Regional HIV/AIDS Connection's Annual General Meeting (AGM) as we review our performance during the fiscal year, reflect on key impacts we have made in the community, and the election of new Board members.

Join virtually, via Zoom, here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88208213878

Review our 2020-21 Annual General Report here.

 

May 6, 2021

Please be advised that Regional HIV/AIDS Connection's 186 King Street location will be closed for building-wide maintenance on Thursday, May 6. Standard business hours will resume on May 7.

To ensure continued support for individuals who access Carepoint, Counterpoint and other services, RHAC will be deploying outreach teams during this temporary closure.

For questions and concerns, please contact a member of RHAC's leadership team:

 

• Sonja Burke: sburke@hivaidsconnection.ca or 519-520-6690

• Megan Van Boheemen: mvanboheemen@hivaidsconnection.ca or 226-377-8721

• Lily Bialas: lbialas@hivaidsconnection.ca or 226-378-6785

• Holly Taylor: htaylor@hivaidsconnection.ca or 519-476-1398

• Brian Lester: blester@hivaidsconnection.ca or 519-619-0038

 

 

 

 

 

April 19, 2021

A Message from RHAC's Coordinator of Volunteer Services

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week!

It seems fitting that this week also falls within the week we celebrate A Taste for Life (ATFL). Pre-COVID, I would be engaging with many of you regarding ATFL as hosts or greeters. Sadly, we cannot come together in person, but we do hope you will continue to support ATFL, and local restaurants, by ordering from your favourite restaurant. 

Volunteering has looked quite different this past year due to COVID restrictions. Instead of in-person volunteering, we have seen an increase in community groups and individuals giving back in different ways, including making cloth masks for our clients and service users. We have seen our Red Scarf participants continue to provide us with scarves which have been distributed to those in need as well as stored for (hopefully) a Red Scarf event this November. We have been blessed with community food drives from TD and King’s University College (who also hosted a car wash with proceeds going directly to RHAC).

On a more personal note, I miss you. I miss seeing your faces every week. I miss engaging with you regarding Red Scarf, A Taste for Life, Tachycardia, and other volunteer events. I cannot wait until the day we are reunited and can all be together in person. Until then, stay safe and thank you for your continued support of RHAC during these unprecedented times.

We simply could not do what we do without you.

Fran McKeown

Coordinator of Volunteer Services

 

March 1, 2021

In honour of Women’s History Month, RHAC celebrates the incredible contributions women have made to our history, and our future. As an organization, we are always honouring the history and current realties of the HIV/AIDS movement. Since the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, women especially LGBT2QIA+ women of colour have been at the centre of community responses to HIV/AIDS as trailblazers and pioneers. Today, women continue to make HIV history as activists, organizers, scientists, health professionals, and more. This month is an opportunity to remember that women make history everyday as pioneers of movements and storytellers. Women are building better futures for all of us in no shortage of small, large, quiet, loud, and caring ways. Happy Women’s History Month!

Don’t miss out on these special dates and events during Women’s History Month. Details coming soon:

  •  March 8: #InternationalWomensDay
  • March 10: Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
  • March 12: Doing It for Ourselves (A Pleasure Workshop with Jess)
  • Weekly, starting March 8: Empowered (A Feminist Film Club in Collaboration with PLUMP)
  • and a special #InternationalWomensDay Speaker Series (announcing soon!)

 

February 23, 2021

 

“The Harm Reduction Peer Empowerment COVID Recovery Project is meeting people where they are with mutual respect and kindness,” says Sonja Burke, RHAC’s Director of Harm Reduction. “The impact is: value and validation, a full stomach, equal pay for equal work, and human connection.”

Since launching in January, the project has welcomed 6 peers who work various shifts during the week, helping to prepare harm reduction and wound care kits. They are paid hourly, receive a warm meal, and are provided public transportation to and from our site. “It is a warm and safe place for people to be during the day versus on the streets," says Sonja.

Since the onset of COVID-19, the demand for harm reduction supplies has only increased. A growing number of clients are counting on RHAC’s harm reduction kits, which are made available through our 26 partner satellite locations, regular outreach services, and the new HOME program (www.homeprogram.ca). The Peer Empowerment project allows us to meet this demand and values the participation of people who use drugs by engaging them in our response to the ongoing opioid crisis and COVID-19 pandemic.

People experiencing addiction need access to safe and supportive spaces that can foster human connection. This is especially true during COVID-19, when isolation measures are impacting marginalized folks and the availability of services. Our peer program provides a space where participants can make connections with each other and to other supports (including housing, food banks and health services). 

We’re pleased with the positive impact this new program is making and—with the support and input of our peers—we expect this project to continue improving the lives of people experiencing addiction. Thank you to Jackie Hutchison our Peer Support Coordinator, to the Emergency Community Support Fund (London Community Foundation) and, most importantly, our peer participants for supporting this important and impactful initiative!

 

Here's what our peers had to say about this new project:

“I feel accepted and part of a group that understands me and doesn’t judge me.”

"My life is better since this started."

"I wake up feeling like I have a purpose each day."


(Photo: Peer Support Coordinator Jackie Hutchison)

February 17, 2021

 

Every year, the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards recognize volunteers for providing years of dedicated service to an organization. On February 17, we came together—virtually—to celebrate RHAC's 2020 recipients: Madeleine Barrette, Ray Sutherland and Jerry Ross. 

• Madeleine Barrette celebrates 10 years of service to the John Gordon Home, where Madeleine is known as “The Cookie Lady”. Once a week, she bakes the most delicious cookies for residents (and some lucky staff). She also supports our fundraising events, such as A Taste for Life and A Heartfelt Evening.

• Ray Sutherland was awarded for 5 years of service at RHAC, where Ray has been an integral part of the volunteer reception team, Red Scarf, A Taste for Life, and our weekly volunteer drop-in. 

• Jerry Ross was recognized for 5 years of service at the John Gordon Home. Jerry assists with weekly grocery shopping for residents and helps with set up special occasions like the Summer BBQ and Holiday events.

RHAC, and our John Gordon Home program, are so lucky to work with dedicated, committed volunteers who have stayed with us for years! On behalf of our clients, staff and Board: Thank you to our volunteers for all that you do. 

 

 

 

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