What’s New?
Dear Community Stakeholder:
During the week of November 29, 2021, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is moving part of its operation to 602 Queens Ave. Later in the week, we will provide more details on the services that will be available at our new space and other information about our exciting new location. During our move week, there will be phone access disruptions, however you will be able to contact us through email or staff cell phones. We plan to be “open” for business on Monday, December 6th with COVID-19 safety measures still in place.
Please Note: Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Services and Counterpoint Needle Syringe Program will remain at 186 King St. until 446 York Street is ready for occupancy.
Thanks for your understanding and we look forward to serving our community from our new location!
Community Wellness Series for Guys into Guys
This Fall, we're hosting a Community Wellness Series for guys into guys. These special events are the perfect opportunity to come together with community, do something fun, and learn a little more about your sexual health. Are you in?
Check out some of our upcoming events below and register with William at wmarchand@hivaidsconnection.ca or (519) 476-1545.
Please note: All participants will be asked to provide proof of double vaccination for the following events.
PrEP'ing for Sex
Sunday, November 28 (2-4 PM)
Innovation works (201 King St.)
Join us for "PrEP'ing for Sex" to talk about having great sex and preventing HIV with other guys into guys! We'll cover topics like: PrEP, PEP/PIP, other HIV prevention, HIV testing, U=U, hooking up and dating! This event will also include a draw for a gift basket, free grab bags and snacks/refreshments. Sign up with William at 519.476.1545 or wmarchand@hivaidsconnection.ca
Please note: Proof of double-vaccination is required.
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.
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.
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 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):
- 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.
- Review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
- Listen to the stories and experiences of residential school survivors, including books and media by Indigenous artists, authors and creators.
- Donate to Indigenous-led causes, like Atlohsa Family Healing Services.
- 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.
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.
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
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
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!)