LONDON, ON — On Thursday, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) celebrated the agency’s receipt of a $35,000 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding supported a major rebrand of the organization to enhance service delivery for the local community, which the agency has been serving since 1985. RHAC was joined by a representative from the office of local MPP Terence Kernaghan.
“RHAC provides an essential service to our community, and I am incredibly grateful for the compassion, dedication, and impact they have on the lives of individuals living with, at-risk, or affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C,” says Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre. “Their work makes a real and meaningful improvement to the health and wellbeing of our community. I am thrilled that RHAC has received this well-deserved Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to ensure they can reach more individuals and at the same time, support their rebranding efforts. Congratulations to RHAC on this well-deserved grant and thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting organizations like RHAC to help make this important work possible!”
RHAC’s new brand—complete with a refreshed logo—was unveiled during the organization’s Annual General Meeting by marketing partner Jeff Sage, Co-CEO and Senior Strategist of sagecomm. The branding initiative also includes a new website that launches later this month.
“This OTF grant is critical to enhancing our presence and mission delivery in the communities we serve,” says RHAC’s Interim Executive Director Brian Lester. “In many ways, our brand is a front door to the organization. RHAC’s website welcomes up to 40,000 visits per year and represents a critical access point for new and returning clients. After 40 years of serving our community, RHAC recognized that it was time for our brand and website to evolve. Thanks to OTF and our partners at sagecomm, RHAC’s updated brand and web presence will improve how we can reach diverse communities, communicate important health messaging, and connect clients to more accessible and culturally relevant supports both on- and off-line.”
ABOUT REGIONAL HIV/AIDS CONNECTION
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to positively impacting the lives of individuals and diverse communities living with, at-risk for or affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. RHAC serves the counties of Elgin, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, and Perth. Visit hivaidsconnection.ca to learn more.
ABOUT ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACT
Brian Lester
Interim Executive Director, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection 226.927.0759
blester@hivaidsconnection.ca