What’s New?
Regional HIV/AIDS Connection was excited to learn that the federal government has removed a barrier in the application process for Safe Consumption Sites (SCS) across Canada. In Ontario, this means that regions in urgent need of support will be able to work directly with Federal representatives to receive exemptions for new sites with the goal of reducing overdoses, linking people who use drugs to care and dramatically reducing the potential for new HIV acquisitions by providing clean equipment and accurate, up-to-date information to people accessing these services.
This announcement did not offer any funding— therefore, those wishing to respond to the opioid crisis responsible for sourcing the funds required to support service delivery. In short, this change has incredible potential to improve the lives of all Canadians – especially those in Ontario who are at increased systemic risk of HIV acquisition and/or overdose in both urban and rural settings.
Join us in your area to remember those we have lost from HIV/AIDS, celebrate and honour their lives, and hope for a cure in the future. For World AIDS Day, we are hosting two World AIDS Day vigils in Stratford and London:
Stratford World AIDS Day Vigil
Please join us for a night of remembrance at the annual Stratford AIDS Vigil on November 30 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the Community of Christ Church. Leading up to World AIDS Day on December 1, we will be taking time to remember those we have lost from HIV/AIDS. Community members will be lighting candles to remember, celebrate, honour and cure.
Light refreshments and snacks provided. Doors open at 7pm.
Please RSVP at aberardini@hivaidsconnection.ca.
London World AIDS Day Vigil
Please join us for a night of remembrance at the annual World AIDS Vigil on December 1 from 7-8pm at the Trinity United Church. On World AIDS Day on December 1, we will be taking time to remember those we have lost from HIV/AIDS. Community members will be lighting candles to remember, celebrate, honour and cure. Doors open at 6:30pm and refreshments served.
For more information contact: info@hivaidsconnection.ca
We hope to see you there to join the community in remembrance.
Red Scarf will be at London's 2nd Annual Handmade Only Christmas Craft Sale on Sunday, November 18th at Centennial Hall from 10:00-3:00PM!
Every Red Scarf is handmade by community volunteers and stands as a powerful symbol of HIV/AIDS Awareness.
Since 2012, our community has handcrafted over 7,000 scarves for HIV/AIDS awareness. Like the red ribbon, the red scarf is a symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Make sure to stop by our pop-up and pick up a red scarf to help raise awareness and end the stigma around HIV/AIDS.
Red Scarf is coming to White Oaks Mall Thursday, November 1st!
Every Red Scarf is handmade by community volunteers and stands as a powerful symbol of HIV/AIDS Awareness like the red ribbon.
Since 2012, our community has handcrafted over 6,000 scarves for HIV/AIDS awareness. Like the red ribbon, the red scarf is a symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. These scarves are tagged with important information about HIV to raise awareness and end stigma in our community.
Make sure to stop by our pop-up and pick up a red scarf to help support the cause, raise awareness and stop the stigma around HIV/AIDS.
For more details visit redscarf.ca!
Skip the service fees! Red Scarf Hardcopy tickets are available at RHAC and Groove Records for $45.
Reggae-rock band Bedouin Soundclash returns to the stage for Red Scarf. Recognized for their hits Walls Fall Down and When the Night Feels My Soul,the JUNO-winning band has climbed Canadian radio charts and reached #1 on the MuchMusic Countdown. Bedouin Soundclash has performed alongside No Doubt, Nine Inch Nails, Coldplay, and Paramore.
Red Scarf presents an annual benefit concert in support of HIV/AIDS awareness. Each year a featured Canadian music artist brings our community together for a night louder than stigma. It is a life-changing event with all proceeds directly supporting clients of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection.
Red Scarf has presented acclaimed Canadian artists Jully Black and The Trews, and this year we are very excited to bring Bedouin Soundclash to London in support of HIV/AIDS.
Tickets are also available through redscarf.ca.
Starting October 16th, Gender Journeys is an eight week program for transgender or questioning youth (18+) to talk about the emotional, physical, and social impacts of transition. Topics include: friends and family, hormones, transphobia, and dating.
We are also looking for panel speakers who have experience transitioning.
It will be held on Tuesdays from 6-8pm at Innovation Works! If interested in participating, call Victor Fuenekes at 866.920.1601 x 231, text 519.281.8658 or email vfeunekes@hivaidsconnection.ca.
Red Scarf needs knitters! Join us today by making a Red Scarf to raise awareness and end stigma in our community.
Since 2012, our community has handcrafted over 6,000 scarves for HIV/AIDS awareness. Like the red ribbon, the red scarf is a symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. These scarves are tagged with important information about HIV to raise awareness and end stigma in our community.
We kindly request that scarves are knit/crocheted using red yarn and measure about 6" x 60" (15cm x 150cm). If you have the capacity to purchase your own yarn, please do. We are happy to provide yarn to those who could otherwise not participate thanks to a donation from Union Gas. You can pick up yarn at reception during our regular business hours Mon-Fri, 9-5. Please contact Fran at fmckeown@hivaidsconnection.ca for more information.
Please donate scarves to #30-186 King St, London, ON. The sooner the better, as we label the scarves in advance of World AIDS Day. Please note that we accept them all year round.
Visit redscarf.ca/knit for details on how you can get involved!
Red Scarf returns with Bedouin Soundclash in support of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection! Join us on November 23 at London Music Hall for a night louder than stigma.
Red Scarf is a movement bringing community together to raise real awareness and knowledge about the positive advances in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. Red Scarf stands against stigma to improve the lives of those living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS in our community.
Since 2012, volunteers have hand-crafted over 6,000 red scarves. Like the red ribbon, every Red Scarf is a symbol of awareness and support.
Anyone can join the movement by:
- making/wearing a red scarf
- picking up a scarf at our pop-ups
- coming to our annual benefit concert
- attending our World AIDS Day vigils
For concert tickets and more info on how to get involved visit www.redscarf.ca.
Calling all guys into guys! Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, in partnership with sagecomm, is designing and implementing an awareness and education campaign that aims to create awareness around the importance of HIV testing and prevention among men who have sex with other men, including those who enjoy chemically enhanced sex, and we’d greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time.
Please complete all questions to the best of your ability. All responses are completely anonymous and will be aggregated to help us create the most impactful and effective campaign possible, ultimately to improve the lives of fellow Londoners.
Find the survery here.
8:30AM-4:00PM
Please join us for the second annual Women Living with HIV Symposium at the BMO Centre! This year, we will explore both the art and the science of self-care.
We have lined up a number of local and regional speakers who will be offering sessions on new and developing health care strategies, providing updates to the services available within the sector (including U=U, PrEP, Harm Reduction) in addition to exploring the benefits of Art Therapy, Indigenous Healing and Mindfulness.
A light breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. Childcare will be available for those who require it (please specify upon registration). In addition, please specify any dietary requirements (i.e. gluten free, halal, vegan) and/or accessibility requirements. Ample free parking is available at the venue.
To RSVP, please register at: Women's Bodies, Women's Lives:The Art+Science of Self Care Eventbrite.
Brought to you by Regional HIV/AIDS Connection in partnership with Sisters of St. Joseph.
