Newsletter Fall 2007 AIDS Walk for Life 2007 – Sunday, September 16, 2007, “Funk n’ Walk” - An annual event that reflects and highlights a collective effort, which aims to raise awareness within various communities, as well as to raise much needed funds so that we can continue the important work. All proceeds will go to the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), to help support the Education and Prevention Program, and to those in the community who are affected or infected by HIV/AIDS. You have helped to raise more than $500,000 in 2006, I am sure we can do it again this year. I take pride in ACAS’ contribution and accomplishment over the years, that we, as an organization, have made, and continue to make a difference in the lives of many.
- Grace Ng Listkowski
Walk For Life 2006 Photo: Henry Roxaso
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President’s Message Welcome to the September issue of the ACAS Newsletter! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for coming out today, participating in this year’s AIDS Walk for Life 2007 – “Funk n’ Walk”. A very special note of appreciation to all the volunteers, the staff, whether you are the walker, a supporter, or a sponsor.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you an upcoming event of significance organized and hosted by ACAS. It is the ACAS Annual Fundraising Banquet, on Friday, October 19, 2007 - “Spotlight on Asian Women & HIV”. The HIV/AIDS landscape has changed over the years, women now represent one quarter of all new infections in Canada. At ACAS, we have seen in the past two years, a 50 per cent increase in women needing and using our Treatment and Support program. In keeping with our commitment and the current community needs, we are delighted to report to you that ACAS has expanded its Education and Prevention, Treatment and Support programs to women who, due to social, cultural, economic reasons, are most at risk of infection. In addition, a new Support Worker has been added to the ACAS team, which is in line with our efforts to grow and to expand. In order for ACAS to continue to meet the needs of and to support women in the East and Southeast Asia communities, the proceeds of our Annual Fundraising Banquet will go to help sustain the programs that are most needed. At the same time, I am proud to report to you that for the first time, ACAS will be honoring the recipients of this year’s PHA Leadership Award, and the Emerging Community Activist Award. Please join us in celebrating our continued commitment and your continued support in our quest to combat HIV/AIDS among women in the East and Southeast Asia communities. For more information on how you can participate in an evening that promises to be fun, filled with entertainment by community musical and dance performers, call ACAS at (416) 963-4300 or visit our website at www.acas.org. There will also be a Live and Silent Auction event where you will find something of your heart’s desire. On behalf of ACAS, I thank you to your continued support. Yours truly,
Grace Ng Listkowski
President Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS)
ACAS Programs Update ram rt Prog Suppo
inator – Coord worker g n o ru T rt Patrick omen suppo on HIV –w y forum n for it n u Eva Sin m o m ti o a c z li ed first rimina ive women. Organiz omen and c posit w IV H e ce iv d it n pos endan ers a provid ts in att service ty participan (Ontario HIV TN ine Over n ed by the OH d n ). fu and twork ngs ent Ne ial outi Treatm en only soc r om tegy fo New w omen on stra outreach ti n w e A v H for P itive pre veloping an HIV g a pos de ent for initiatin ive men and elopm v e it d s e o HIV p sourc y and re strateg omen ew positiv
Youth program Chi Ching Hui – Coordinator organized Asians QAY (Queer Asian Youth) s dance party. age all ! You h Wit ce Can Dan people attended fifty and d Over one hundre nt which included this hugely successful eve als. visu live a live show and to Asian Resource Upcoming TARO (Toron training in late fall s die bud ch) trea and Ou
ram er Prog Volunte
MSM Program tor Daniel Le - Coordina ary One year annivers house outreach
of the Asian bath
in Sri Lanka Poster presentation
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r ordinato ng – Co Lisa Wo ith Youth aining w tr O R A itated T nto Co-facil Coordinator de Toro with Pri ra g Pro m y partnership through ticket nit 00 commu g close to $20 in is ra d n fu ining in de ring Pri Skills Tra sales du g 2.5 day Core w volunteers e in upcom r will train 20 n e with be m e v full tim o N e office ties th in w o u Lisa is n ice Manager d ff added O
ining with other Joint volunteer tra ups ethno specific gro
Women Program Jin Huh – coordinator provided workshops for 300 participants and outreached to over 1500 people in the past year Received LGCA grant to develop a website for queer Asian women (trans inclusive) Coordinator participated in 2-month exchange with the Thai National AIDS Foundation as part of a twinning project Wrapping up study on settlement challenges for TS/TG women newcomers
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Volunteer Feature
Volunteer: Aries Cheung Q: What motivated you to start volunteering at ACAS? A: It started in the mid 80’s in Hong Kong when Dr. Alan Li was mobilizing the local queer community to be involved in queer politics and AIDS education and outreach. I was very much inspired by his activism and moved by his stories of discrimination and injustice faced by both locals and Asians oversea affected by HIV and AIDS. Personally, during those years, I had friends and acquaintances living with HIV and dying of AIDS but facing challenging issues due to their sexuality and the stigma of the disease. I moved to Canada in the late 80’s and naturally continued my similar activist interest in Toronto’s local Asian community. Then I realized that the HIV/AIDS related issues faced by the local Asian community are multilayered, complicated by the issues of racism, systemic discrimination and cultural barriers. I noticed that ACAS (co-founded by Alan Li) was an organization that had the vision and potentials to help address such issues, which greatly motivated my volunteer involvement. Q: What were your reasons for continuing to volunteer at ACAS for 10 years? A: Fun. A sense of community. The rewards of seeing positive changes out of ACAS’ work. ACAS has evolved through all these years, from a small, single-staff service to an organization of diverse programs and a larger number of staff and volunteers. It’s mission, mandates and directions have also been modified to catch up with newlydiscovered community needs. Nonetheless, one thing remains unchanged: ACAS has always been able to engage members with fun, creative activities and genuine friendliness no one can
Volunteer: MiuLing Wong Q: What motivated you to start volunteering at ACAS? A: Being a sister of a gay brother in a Chinese family, I had gone through many struggles in understanding and accepting LGBTT communities. I believe my experience as a family member will be helpful to remove the stigma and to advocate for the rights of LGBTT communities. I did not hesitate to join the board of ACAS when it was officially founded in 1996. Q: What were your reasons for continuing to volunteer at ACAS for 10 years? A: After I joined the board of ACAS, there were a number of homophobic incidents which happened in the communities such as the homophobic articles on Living Magazine and Sing Tao Daily, same sex marriage issues and debates, etc. The board and the volunteers worked tirelessly to address these issues and finally we won the battles. We build our solidarity in going through these challenges. Through numerous volunteer training, I learned how to speak to the media during interviews and developed skills in debating in media on same sex marriage issues and in promoting anti-homophobia messages. I personally feel empower -ed and proud to be a member of ACAS.
resist -- not to mention their delicious home-made Asian refreshments. Every time I step into ACAS’ office, I feel a tremendous sense of warmth, love and commitment. It is my second home, a large family of diversity, energy and dedication. Being a volunteer, I am happy to know that our effort has helped ACAS’ to achieve its goals. That’s a major reward. By the way, as a community member and service user, am I not also a beneficiary of ACAS’s success and achievements?
ACAS Staff Feature
Name: Jin Huh Position: Women’s Outreach & Education Program Coordinator Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea Birthday: March 21 Zodiac Sign: Aries (on the cusp with Pisces) Chinese Zodiac: Tiger Education: University of Waterloo, York University Hobbies: Camping, Singing, Dancing, Reading, Writing, Single Malt Scotch, Playing card/board games, Talking politics Favourite Food: neng myung (cold noodle soup), jajang myun (korean style chineseblack bean noodles), pho, lasagna, any kind of dumpling, panang beef curry, oysters, arctic char Favourite Color: dark red/burgundy Favourite Movies: Secrets & Lies, In the Mood for Love, Rabbit Proof Fence, Saving Face, Eve and the Firehorse, musicals of all kinds including Moulin Rouge and Dreamgirls What I'm reading: "Rush Home Road" by Lori Lansens and "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity" by Julia Serano Something People Might Not know About Me: I grew up in the Jane/Finch area and Scarborough
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Volunteer Contribution
Forest Of Light - by Ryan Tran
13 years of Community Service
Illustration by JK Gye
Peace Card On Sale
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ACAS proudly presents its ‘Peace’ Greeting Cards Set, featuring 5 unique lotus paintings by Lai Tak Ki, an Asian-Canadian artist from Toronto. These all occasion, greeting cards depict five 5” x 7” lotus paintings printed on linen paper with wisdom words promoting peace at the back of each card. The wisdom words were written by Grace Ng Listkowski, President , ACAS‘s Board of Directors.
T he paintings of tak ki lai a si a n c om mun i t y a id s serv ic e s pr e se n t s
gr ee t ing C a r ds now on sa l e
Each set contains ten 5” x 7” peace cards, consisting of 2 cards each of 5 original lotus paintings, and 10 white envelopes. The inside of the cards are left blank for your own message. Cost: $20/set plus $4 shipping All proceeds go to ACAS program services
a rt wor k generously don at ed by: ta k k i l a i — design by: k eta n m a noh a r
a ll pro ceeds g o to a si a n com munit y a ids serv ices
Name ___________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City _______________ Province _________ Postal Code __________ Tel # ______________________ Fax # ________________________ Credit Card Number ________________________________________ [ ] Visa [ ] Master Card [ ] AmEx Expiry Date ___________________ # of set(s) ordered ________________ @ $24 each set (incl shipping) Total $___________________________ Fax form to 416-963-4371
This ACAS newsletter was produced by the Media and Arts Committee: Ernie Chan • Aries Cheung • Tony Chong • JK Gye acas.org
qay.ca
iRice.org
• Duncan Lau • Jorge Lee • Alex Li • Grace Ng Listkowski • Rhoda Pangilinan • Eric Poon • Francis Roque • Noulmook
33 Isabella St., #107 Toronto, ON M4Y 2P7 Tel 416-963-4300 Fax 416-963-4371 Email info@acas.org Website www.acas.org
Sutdhibhasilp • Ryan Tran • Lisa Wong • Ben Xie. We like to thank the staff and volunteers who contributed their time and hard work. We rely on volunteers’ contribution, and if you like to help out in future issues, please feel free to email us at publicity@acas.org © 2007 www.acas.org All rights reserved.