ACT News: Spring/Summer 2014 by AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)

act news SPRING/SUMMER 2014

act bold. act strong. act resilient. act now.

IN THIS ISSUE

Meet ACT’s new

EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR

10 THINGS trans men want you to know

FLASHBACK

A look back at SNAP! 2014

PARTNER

STUDY

what is it, what does it mean, and what do you need to know?

AND MUCH MORE!

FEATURE ARTICLE

MAGNETIC: The meaning and matter of mixed-status relationships.

SEXUAL SEXUALHEALTH HEALTHISISABOUT ABOUTMORE MORETHAN THANHIV... HIV...

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actoronto.org/gaymen

in this issue

act news EDITORS

Message from the Executive Director

Flashback: A look back at SNAP! 2014

Feature Article: Magnetic

Rafay Agha Kyle Greenwood CONTRIBUTORS

The meaning and matter of mixed status relationships 10 12

The PARTNER Study 10 Things Gay/Bi/Queer Trans Men Want Gay Cis Men to Know

Love Positive Women

How to Get to a Place of Employment

Tips to Support Your Return to Work

Rafay Agha Kat Biondi Bobby Hrehoruk Jessica Cattaneo Andrew Eaton Daniel Knox Duncan MacLachlan Sergio Martinez John Maxwell Mason McColl Caleb Nault Samantha Simpson Jocelyn Watchorn LAYOUT & DESIGN

A Volunteer Remembered

Ready When You Are Support Our Outreach Efforts

Staff Profile: Bobby Hrehoruk

Feedback: ACT Volunteers

Better Together

Strengthening Connections Between ASO and VAW Sectors

Kyle Greenwood PHOTO CREDITS Rafay Agha Pennant Media Priam Thomas CONTACT AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) 399 Church Street, 4th Floor Toronto, ON M5B 2J6 Phone: 416-340-2437 Fax: 416-340-8224 ask@actoronto.org CONNECT WITH US

W actoronto.org f facebook.com/ACToronto t @ACToronto MAGNETIC (AKA Mixed-Status, Serodiscordant, Serodifferent) A term used to describe a pair of individuals in which one is HIV-negative and the other is HIV-positive. These relationships may require unique considerations, but because of advances in treatment and prevention, now, more than ever before, long, loving, satisfying and healthy sex lives, regardless of status.

Published: June 2014 ISBN: 978-0-921918-60-8 (print) ISBN: 978-0-921918-62-2 (online)

Cover Image "Magnetic Electricâ&#x20AC;? by Kyle Greenwood

act news

MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR men, women and young people

the end of June, and are busily

living with HIV take greater

planning for the Scotiabank AIDS

control over their health, ACT is

Walk for Life. We encourage

making a difference. For those

you to register to Walk online

living with HIV who access our

at aidswalktoronto.ca,

Employment ACTion program

collect pledges, and join us on

to explore returning to work

Saturday, September 13, 2014.

and have successfully found employment, ACT is making a difference; studies have shown that there is a clear link between As ACT’s new Executive Director, I want to acknowledge the good wishes that have come my way from service users, volunteers, donors, community partners and members of the communities that ACT serves. I feel privileged to lead such an amazing organization that truly makes a difference to men, women and young people living with HIV, as well as those living in the communities most affected by

employment and improved health outcomes. Similarly, our HIV prevention outreach, education, and training with service providers within the communities most affected by

psycho-educational workshops and other programs that enable 4

and the individuals who donate funds to use. Thanks to you and your support, we continue to meet the needs of the people and communities we serve.

the information, resources and

COUNSELLING SERVICE USER

skills to protect themselves and

“The counsellor was extremely helpful and kind. I was able to identify and understand my own emotions and consequent actions in an encouraging light and it really helped me better understand not only where I was coming from but also what I might...work towards and how to get myself there. Thank you so much for this extremely helpful service geared towards mental health.”

others. ACT prides itself on being a responsive community

highlighting just a few of our

management, social support,

corporate sponsors and donors

FEEDBACK FROM

The range and quality of

our counseling services, case

Board, staff, volunteers,

impact by providing people with

organization. As you will

makes me very proud. From

contributions of our dedicated

HIV in Toronto are having an

HIV in our city.

ACT’s programs and services

ACT truly appreciates the

see in this newsletter, we are many programs and services that help to build strong, resilient individuals and communities. At the time of this writing, we are gearing up for our outreach activities during World Pride at

spring/summer 2014

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act news

FLASHBACK: SNAP! 2014

spring/summer 2014

Calling all photographers! Mark your calendars! The SNAP! 2015 Photo Competition opens on Monday, September 15, 2014. Ever wonder what happens when you enter your photo in the SNAP! Photo Competition?

SHOOT! SUBMIT! WIN!

BEHIND THE SCENES AT SNAP! 2015 Step 1: Your photo is sent to Cheryl Powers, the SNAP! Silent Auction Chair. Cheryl sends the photo to the SNAP! silent auction jury. The jury is made up of professional photographers, gallery owners, curators and art buyers. Step 2: The jury meets to deliberate! This is the exciting part. Each photo is discussed and ranked, until about seventy photos are selected for the SNAP! silent auction collection. Some lucky photos are selected as category winners! These photos will be framed and sold for a higher value at the SNAP! silent auction. PHOTO NOTES 1) Anne Mroczkowski, Honorary Chair; Scott Mullin, VP Community Relations, TD Bank; MaryAnn Camilleri, SNAP! Curatorial Committee; 2) Laird Kay; 3) Steven and Chris from CBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steven and Chris; 4) TD Boys; 5) Daniel Knox, ACT Director of Development; Nancy Clemo; 6) Attendees; 7) Kelly Kyle and

Step 3: Photographers are notified that they have been selected! Each photographer who is part of the SNAP! silent auction receives a certificate of recognition. Category winners also receive a cash prize! All silent auction selectees are invited to a special preview for SNAP! supporters.

Sonja Scharf, Akasha Art Projects; 8) Anna Church; 9) Melissa LaVallee, SNAP! Curatorial Committee Chair and Sarah Burtscher, SNAP! Curatorial Committee; 10) Marc Chalifoux, TD Bank; 11) SNAP! Silent Auction Chair Cheryl Powers; Jim Turner; 12) Glen Brown; 13) TD Boy; 14) ACT Staff and Volunteers; 15) Ellen

By entering your photo in the SNAP! photo competition, you are supporting the vital work that ACT does in our community. Enter online (on or after September 15) at snap-toronto.com.

Davidson, Dimensions Framing, and Richard Johnson, SNAP! Live Auction artist; 16) Chantal Stepa, Volunteer SNAP! Assistant

act news

MAGNETIC THE MEANING AND MATTER OF MIXED STATUS RELATIONSHIPS

spring/summer 2014

IN A GREASY SPOON DINER, PATRICK AND RITCHIE, TWO FICTIONAL CHARACTERS FROM HBO’S LOOKING, CHAT OVER A POST-COITAL BREAKFAST: “I’m paranoid! I sneeze and I think I’ve got HIV,” Patrick says. “I get tested all the time, even though I’m incredibly safe.” “So why get tested?” “Y’know, just to be 100% sure.” “My last boyfriend was positive.” “Really?” “But don’t worry, I’m not.” “Weren’t you freaked out? Dating someone… that y’know…” “Yeah, a little bit, but, y’know, I loved him, so… what are you gonna do? You just deal.”

And just like that, the most recent reference to serodiscordant coupledom on cable television came and went without so much as a shrug, much less fanfare. However, let’s not mistake this casual aside as a shift towards conventional wisdom.

act news

A magnetic relationship (also known as ‘mixed-status’, ‘serodiscordant’ or ‘serodifferent’) describes a pair of individuals in which one is HIV-negative and the other is HIV-positive. These relationships may require unique considerations, but because of advances in treatment and prevention, now, more than ever before, long, loving, satisfying and healthy sex lives exist regardless of status. And yet there lacks program support for magnetic partners to explore and seek support for their immediate and long-term issues. A quick Google search reveals thousands of hits speaking to the academic study of mixed-status couples. Mostly, these results involve only stats and facts for antiretroviral therapies (ART), rates of transmission, sample studies, viral load and research studies. Strikingly, people—men and women who make up relationships where partners are of mixed-status—are missing and haven’t yet been included in the conversation. HERE AT ACT In 2010, ACT conducted a survey of 115 people. 56 of those identified as gay men,

seven respondents identified as being straight. 59.5% identified as HIV-positive. Most interestingly, the results showed a trend towards discussing magnetic relationships in a group program. Almost half of the responses also indicated participants would be willing to engage in a research group focused on couples. In Spring 2014, ACT launched recruitment for such a group which took less than one week to recruit participants at full capacity. Six gay, ethnically-diverse magnetic couples ranging from partners in their twenties to partners in their mid-sixties have joined the study. What’s remarkable about this study is that participants dictate the content delivery, topics and method of the study, but most importantly, also the ways in which findings are released and used. ACT believes this condition of community-informed group programming is not just innovative, but essential. If successful, ACT and community partners hope to conduct more projects like this in the future. This not only bodes well with ACT’s focus on resilience, but also allows participants to have ownership over aspects of a study that, at its core, is using their livedexperiences as research methodology.

The group is even developing, alongside research administrators, a set of evaluation criteria to be used in future. The group provides a great space for magnetic couples to discuss not only the social and emotional aspects of sex, intimacy, and emotional support but also a place to explore the benefits and limitations of emerging HIV prevention methods which can often feel quite academic. Many in the group, like ACT, are optimistic about the impact of viral load suppression on HIV transmission and in an ongoing study called the PARTNER Study (see below for more info). SO WHAT DOES PROGRAMMING LOOK LIKE? Communication strategies; alternate health practices to better manage wellness; mental health issues; financial planning; and even HIV 101 help bridge any knowledge gaps which include acronyms, names of medications and terminology which can become a second language for someone living with HIV. Many HIV-positive respondents shared concerns about HIV transmission and

NOTES ON THE PARTNER STUDY Evidence shows that undetectable viral load dramatically reduces the risk of transmission of HIV among a sample group of magnetic couples according to the PARTNER study interim results released in March 2014. Final results from the study will be provided in 2017. ACT maintains condoms are the most effective way of preventing HIV transmission and encourages the use of latex or nonlatex condoms, and water or 10

silicone-based lubricant for anal, vaginal or frontal sex. Having an undetectable viral load does not prevent the transmission of HIV or STIs. ACT encourages people who living with HIV to consider the benefits of treatment and to make an informed decision that is in the best interest of themselves and their partners. As research increases to support suppressed viral load as a proven tool in HIV prevention, ACT continues to call for universal

access to HIV/AIDS treatment; and voluntary, confidential and anonymous testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Similarly, we believe that equal access to PEP is also vital in deterring HIV infection after possible exposure. The suppression of viral load will only work as a comprehensive prevention strategy when all members of our communities are given equal access, support and testing. Issues of access to safer sex education and post-exposure treatment

options remain a priority for ACT especially in our efforts to elimnate barriers such as misinformation, lack of awareness, incorrect assessments, medical costs and stigma. WHAT IS THE PARTNER STUDY? The PARTNER Study is an ongoing observational study at 75 clinic/hospital sites in 14 European cities, focusing on the risk of sexual HIV transmission between magnetic couples and looks at the risks of HIV trans-

spring/summer 2014

VIRAL LOAD expressed a strong desire to have accurate and up-to-date information to make informed decisions for themselves and their partners when it comes to sexual activity. This is a real concern happening in bedrooms across the city. And if nothing else, this group helps dispel the notion that these concerns are unique to just one person in the relationship. Anxiety is a common sentiment and respondents indicated that there had been difficulties talking about sex, and challenges related to physical and emotional intimacy due to anxiety. Comments related to condom use and the challenges of navigating safer sex or weighing risk in relation to viral load, sexual activity and ideas about intimacy were prevalent. “It is difficult for the positive person, [to] support the pressure of not putting your partner at risk. You always think, ‘what happens if he gets infected?’; Preventing him from being infected, having the condoms and lube available wherever. Determining his level of risk awareness; is he really not worrying or is he just ignorant of the risk?”

HIV-negative respondents also shared concerns about becoming infected, but also indicated that their partners’ fears about infecting them could be challenging: “His fear of infecting me has made sex a rare thing.” Additionally, a few HIV-negative respondents had concerns about the impact that their fear of becoming infected would have on their partner: “From my perspective, fear of becoming positive because of my lack of knowledge and experience. I am also concerned for fear of making my partner feel not wanted by me.” While every relationship has a different challenge, and it’s important to know that none look the same, the common experience of being in a magnetic relationship binds them. A safe space protects them. A group supports them. These conversations aren’t the easiest to happen, be it at a diner or in a peersupported group setting but yet they need to. What’s notable is the need for voices to be heard, given merit and validated. And that’s the best way to begin a conversation.

ACT is dedicated to strengthening the health and well-being of the communities it serves and recognizes its role in communicating the benefits and limitations of emerging HIV prevention technologies. ACT is optimistic about the impact of viral load suppression on HIV transmission, though we encourage the following facts about viral load to be considered: 1. Approximately 10-15%1 of men and 25%2 of women who adhere to antiretroviral treatments (ART) and have undetectable viral loads in their blood continue to have detectable amounts of the HIV virus in their semen/vaginal secretions and are at risk of transmitting the HIV virus during condomless sex.    2. No one can be certain of their own, or their sexual partner’s viral load at all times. There is always a level of risk associated with condomless sex. 1

mission when someone is taking effective HIV treatment.

looking at why condoms are not always used.

Even though we can identify which are high and low risk activities, very few studies have quantified this, especially since new drugs have become available. This is still the case even after 25 years of research.

Concluding in 2017, preliminary results provided after two years were based on data from 767 couples, 40% of which identified as gay male couples. In the study’s initial two years, 44,400 occasions of sex were recorded.* To be part of the study, the participant living with HIV needed to be on HIV treatment (ART) and have an undetectable viral load (defined as being less than 200 copies/mL). The couples did not

This new study particularly focuses on partnerships that do not always use a condom when having sex. The study is also

use condoms on a regular basis and some couples never used condoms. Although no conclusive results have been presented, interim findings from the PARTNER Study report no transmissions within couples from a partner with an undetectable viral load. It is important to emphasize that no transmission is not the same thing as zero chance of transmission. More evidence is needed to quantify the level of protection from HIV treatment.

Leurez-Ville et al AIDS, 2002 and Barroso et al JAIDS, 2003; 2 Fiore et al AIDS 2003

MORE RESEARCH AHEAD A second study, PARTNER 2, which aims to recruit an additional 450 gay male couples, already has initial funding. PARTNER 2 will provide the additional evidence required to have better confidence in predicting the risks from condomless anal or vaginal sex. This data is essential to inform the potential scale up of ART for prevention in men who have sex with men, trans women and others who have anal, vaginal or frontal sex. 11

act news

10 THINGS GAY/BI/QUEER TRANS MEN WANT GAY CIS MEN TO KNOW We can all benefit from more information, right? Like for starters, what exactly is a cis man? Cis is short for ‘cisgender’, which is a word used to describe someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. It’s typically used to differentiate from ‘transgender’, which is an umbrella term used to refer to people whose gender identity is not congruent with the sex they were assigned at birth. So with that covered, here’s a list of 10 things gay/bi/queer trans men want gay cis men to know.

01 2 0

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spring/summer 2014

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tions ques e v i s h on nva earc ose i s h e t r f me eo Som rs. Do so things. gle. r e l o l i o e-k sexie yG r bon tions for s. Tr r o j o a t a a m educ e can be r convers t all v u o a o n h e u ve We’r me of yo d let’s sa o n s a your ng t e a th i and tim p x n E clud w o ! us. re, in w e your up to o h t t n ut ok l ge t o ’l t u n e o e y G m hot. f fun s of e’re kind ind o t k w n t d e a r h e an f diff eer, see w e qu re a lot o ties and r ’ e ili t re, w There a ossib get i . e he the p We’r ire, men ng to e might o i t o n g e o y rt e op do, w babl repe en. B e pro and if we st ask. m ’r u s o n y , tra g, s. Ju ing wron l plumb ur bodie et it a o g n i t d g n ri ou do a our o o talk ab t f you (or use) I . w s o h e ru k fo t hav l tell you y no ’l r jun a e u o m W or ge. me ’t na . We may t langua Don n esn’t g e n r iffe ty do wro i d s y o r h i t e r v wi ur cu to it n. Yo e refer m e l gent orry, S t. s . r ” fi t e “i ner e n i s d t t y us t jus spen can’ t least bu ably u b o o f y l r A , p se rity. d no your s and ...an our integ blog but save f . o e s p blr, d lot e sam trum e rea n on Tum ys are th ’v u o e ty gu ans m all trans t tha of tr grea t s ’s a e t I r h t tu r! e inde o hot pic ’t assum rem t n f y l o l e d d s d frien ing your nt an last h sme s a r One ime touc r a emb et som ntial e t o ep som

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act news

LOVE POSITIVE WOMEN This past Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, ACT staff and volunteers got crafty and celebrated the poz women in our lives by sharing the L-O-V-E. As part of the Love Positive Women: Romance Starts at Home initiative we showed love, solidarity, support and care for the wonderful poz women in our lives - at a time of year when anybody can feel a bit lonely with all the outward romantic expressions all around us. We have a lot of programming and services for women living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information visit our website: actoronto.org/women

spring/summer 2014

A VOLUNTEER REMEMBERED “He was larger than life, and he liked it that way!” says Sergio Martinez, Program Volunteer Resources Manager, of Peter William St. Louis, a retiree from the Federal Court of Appeals and longtime ACT volunteer who passed away on March 9, 2014. “He truly was an elder in the community who was always up to something exciting,” adds Bobby Hrehoruk, Coordinator, Development Volunteers and Special Events for ACT.

HOW TO

Looking for a job can present some unavoidable challenges. ACT’s Employment ACTion program provides the following tips to support your return to work process.

“Peter embodied resilience before the word even existed in this community,” continues Martinez,

GET TO A PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

Tailor your cover letter/resume Pay attention to the specifics. You want to speak to the requirements of the employer. Also, don’t include unrelated hobbies or interests, unless it’s related to the industry.

Do your research Knowing the company’s mission, vision and values allows you to speak about your cultural fit, not just technical fit. This applies to your cover letter and during the interview process too.

Make a plan What are your strengths? Why are you in the job market? Are there any barriers or challenges to employment? Taking into consideration these things, among others, will help you ensure you’re steering your search in the right direction.

Your attitude and the once-over Place your best, most professional face forward and steer clear of speaking poorly about a former employer. Before you get to the interview, ensure good hygiene – take a shower, brush your teeth, wear appropriate clothing and make sure you look the professional part!

lamenting how much he’s missed. Volunteers, service users and staff often share similar sentiments about a man who volunteered with ACT since 1989. Truly a staple of the agency, and yet, often considered someone who shied away from the spotlight. Peter made it a priority to immerse himself in all aspects of the agency and could be seen at marquee events such as SNAP!, Fashion Cares, the AIDS Walk for Life, and Dancers for Life; much the same he would involve himself with running the ACT library, the front desk at the service access centre and financial registration for events. Aside from his distinct voice and candor, Peter

Check your spelling and grammar Edit and proofread your cover letter and resume as much as possible, and get a second pair of eyes to review your documents, if you can! Maintain a professional online presence Use a professional e-mail address with just your name, and no slang when communicating with employers. Be mindful of what’s on your Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn profiles, as employers may look you up. Try Googling yourself!

embodied what it meant to grow up in a Toronto where homosexuality was illegal. He witnessed the early days of the AIDS movement and bathhouse raids. He lived in a Toronto devoid of a gay village and spoke about underground speakeasies and the evolution of the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. His longevity as a valued, revered and dedicated volunteer does not go unnoticed. ACT’s upcoming Annual General Meeting, scheduled for September

Use your networks Connect with other professionals and get recommended for opportunities. Try using job search techniques beyond just the online job boards.

29, 2014, is creating an award in his name which will be given out annually. A fitting legacy.

Ask questions and follow up You want to show you want the job, so ask questions at the interview to show your interest, and send a thank you e-mail to the interviewer(s). Employers want to hire candidates who demonstrate an interest in the job. Peter St. Louis (right), with Bobby Hrehoruk, receives a 20 Years of Service Award at the ACT AGM in 2012.

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act news

ACT also plays a vital role in reducing the spread of HIV. Our Community Health Promotion programs focus on reducing the spread of HIV, and we do this in many different ways. We develop and deliver information resources, safer sex and harm reduction materials and we get this life-saving information out into the community thanks to the help of our amazing volunteers. We provide training sessions to health and social service providers on HIV, and we offer workshops and discussion groups that increase the knowledge, skills and ability of people to protect themselves and others. And HIV prevention is important: for despite advances in HIV treatments, there still is no cure. Stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV continues, and living with HIV requires constant monitoring of health. Aside from the significant impact of HIV infection on a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, consider the economic impact of an HIV infection and the savings made by investing in prevention: each HIV infection averted saves an estimated $750,000 in direct and indirect costs. In Toronto today, there are more than 18,000 people living with an HIV. And each year there are hundreds of new infections.

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ACT is a valuable community resource for men, women and young people living with HIV/AIDS, offering a wide range of services that help those with HIV to better manage their health and well-being.

DA M

Summer is (finally) here! As we emerge from this long winter and we begin to go out more, socialize more, meet new people...sometimes, in addition to the flowers, love (or lust) blooms!

Our distribution of condoms is about more than numbers. Each condom and lube pack includes educational material to help inform our community. Recent condom packs have included information on PEP, undetectable viral load, and syphilis.

804 significant conversations reported during outreach in 2013.

AC in c ve lub da

THING TOTAL AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED IN 2013

E OF OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS

349,324 condoms 266,882 lube packs

spring/summer 2014

OUR OUTREACH TEAM ARE IN THE STREETS, ONLINE, AND AT ALL THE MAJOR PARTIES, FROM THE CLUBS TO THE TUBS. WE’VE GOT FREE CONDOMS, LUBE, AND ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR SAFER SEX AND PARTYING QUESTIONS.

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Over the past 6 months our condom stuffing volunteers have contributed over

750 hours to assembling our packs.

1,500 condom packs

are distributed by our outreach volunteers every week. 162 outreach shifts completed in 2013.

CT'sACT's condom dispensers are available condom dispensers are available in clubs, bathhouses and community clubs, bathhouses and community venues and provide free condom enues and provide free condom and and lube packs along with the most be packs along with the most up toup to date sexual health ate sexual health info. info.

Although new HIV infections have been declining over the past year, the need to further reduce new HIV infections remains critical. We need your support to maintain and expand our outreach and HIV prevention activities. We distributed nearly 350,000 condoms with safer sex information last year in our communities. This work is vital. And so are the other HIV prevention and education programs we offer – including those like Totally outRIGHT that enable young gay men to build knowledge, skills and resilience and to lead healthy lives. We know that we need to continue to increase and expand the range and scope of our HIV prevention programs, and that’s why we need your help.

With a donation of $50, you can help provide year-round access to condoms, lubricant and safer sex information for 10 people at risk for HIV. Think of the impact of making a special donation of $250 to reach 50 people, or $500 to reach 100 people. Think of the impact of helping to reduce the spread of HIV in our city with a donation of any amount to support this important work. Help ACT by making a secure, on-line donation at actoronto.org/donate. All donations are tax receiptable.

act news

Sitting at his desk, perched up between old Fashion Cares poster boards that go floor to ceiling, Bobby Hrehoruk speaks thoughtfully on the role he plays at ACT: “It’ll be seven years at ACT in December [2014]. I started as a development finance officer after stints at the Scott Mission and McGill University.” Mementos, photographs, old campaign posters and postcards line his workspace. “I’m a huge champion of my profession.”

STAFF PROFILE: BOBBY HREHORUK

Bobby is ACT’s coordinator for development and special event volunteers and believes that the agency is a step or two ahead of others in fostering a culture of volunteerism. “Volunteers are so valued at ACT! And because of that, I know we’re leaders in the sector. Thanks to hard work, predecessors and current coworkers, we let it be known how much we value our volunteers and recognize their importance.” A graduate from McGill University who also holds a certificate from George Brown College, Bobby’s passion for his work is evident. “What’s my definition of volunteerism? I believe it’s giving back through your time to make meaningful impact for a value you

consider important,” he says. “I’ve always been drawn to community activism, so coordinating volunteers for a cause was a natural progression.” “The first time presenting as a coordinator was exhilarating even if I was nervous. It was great working with volunteers whom [ACT] consider leaders for our movement. They’re willing to commit to something because of the same or similar values.” If you’re wondering if Bobby still volunteers, he does. He sits on several boards and you might also catch him working a few shifts at Luminato, Toronto’s festival of arts and creativity. Looking to volunteer yourself? Bobby has a few suggestions: “For anyone looking to volunteer, I suggest you start with a local volunteer centre, research agencies and causes that are important to you. And sometimes there might not be an opportunity listed, but always reach out! Oh! It’s also easier to start with event volunteering. Give it a try and then you can assess an organization’s culture.”

FEEDBACK: ACT VOLUNTEERS For more information on ACT’s volunteer program read the 2013 Volunteer Experience Survey available online at actoronto.org/volunteer.

I’ve gained a lot more than I’ve given and that feels so rewarding to me.

I think when your family dismisses you because you are HIV-positive you need to rally around people who are going through the same thing. I wanted to be involved with people who are going through the same challenges that I have faced since I was first told that I had HIV in 1988. Since volunteering at ACT I have found a family that I never had before. ACT truly has changed the person that I am and I am forever in their debt. They are a great group of people and they make me feel like I matter.

spring/summer 2014

BETTER TOGETHER Earlier this year the first ever cross-sector roundtable forum between the violence against women (VAW) and AIDS service organization (ASO) sectors was held at the 519 Community Centre in Toronto. Based on a commissioned consultant’s report for ACT, the idea for the forum came out of an identified need voiced by VAW workers and management for an opportunity that could bring front-line workers and key leaders together from both sectors. The forum, titled Better Together: Strengthening Connections Between the ASO and VAW Sectors in Toronto, was organized as response to that key recommendation. As a project of ACT’s Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative Toronto, the forum was presented in partnership with Springtide Resources, and was a resounding success with more than two dozen agencies from both VAW and ASO sectors represented. The conversations and exchanges were rich and participants left with concrete action steps that will enable an ongoing dialogue between individuals and sectors, and better services to women in Toronto. Another ACT initiative we can all be proud of! For more information on the Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative (both local and provincial): actoronto.org/women or whai.ca.

Hands down the best organization at showing appreciation for your volunteers. I know I’m a recognizable individual to ACT, not just a nameless volunteer existing in a database that is included on mass emails for recruitment. I still remember how surprised I was to get a direct call from the Volunteer Coordinator after my first volunteer gig with ACT - that phone call was a large part of why I became even more involved as a volunteer.

I’m very blessed to be a volunteer for this organization and wouldn’t give it up for anything!

COMING SOON! We are gearing up for the 26th Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Toronto and there are some exciting changes to announce for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event!

NEW DATE Saturday, September 13, 2014

NEW LOCATION Yonge-Dundas Square In the heart of Toronto! Register to walk at

aidswalktoronto.ca Funds raised at the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life support the vital programs and services of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).