For the past several years, the OAN has worked to strengthen its response to people living with HIV in Ontario and to perfect the ways that they are engaged in the work we do.  At last year’s Annual Meeting, our Members and delegates living with HIV told us that we should move forward with the creation of an Advisory Committee of people living with HIV to inform our important work. Since this time, the OAN board has worked to finalize the Committee’s terms or reference (TOR) and met with a working group to give us feedback on the TOR and

This week Casey House launched #Smashstigma 2020 as a part of their ongoing effort to ignite conversation around the stigma that people living with HIV/AIDS experience. In 2017, they kicked off the #smashstigma campaign with June’s, the world’s first HIV+ Eatery and in 2018 opened Healing House, the world’s first HIV+ Spa. Both award-winning campaigns gained global attention and increased awareness around stigma and HIV. The third iteration of #smashstigma focuses around the power of pop culture and how it can impact stigma.  To spur conversation and pique interest in the topic of stigma they rewrote two iconic sitcoms, Friends

The OAN is seeking a dynamic, energetic and highly organized Manager of Communications and Member Development! The Manager of Communications and Member Development provides the OAN with overall management of province-wide Member services, coordination of the Skills Workshop Series and Skills+ webinar training programs, ongoing communication with Members, and other services as required. If you, or anyone you know would be a great fit for the role please direct them to apply here. The application deadline is Friday, March 20, 2020.

Between February 28 and March 1, the OAN hosted a highly successful Executive Director/Board Chair Forum. More than 65 EDs and Board Chairs from across our province attended and participated in deep and thoughtful discussions about the health of their agencies, how to work toward Reconciliation, and how the Members of the OAN do their collective work. One of the key sessions at the Forum explored the importance of the ED and Board Chair relationship and how they can become better co-pilots in their agency. We’d like to thank our Advisory Committee for supporting the development of a responsive and

This spring, the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) will be launching PrEPStart, a program to provide three months of PrEP free for people who do not have a drug plan in Ontario. This short-term supply of medication can allow participants to start PrEP immediately while applying for ongoing coverage through a public or private drug plan. Along with their medication, participants will receive additional information on the different ways to pay for PrEP in Ontario and the option to connect with the project pharmacist for support while applying for ongoing drug coverage. The OHTN is also adding additional resources to

Sunday, March 8 is International Women’s Day. This is an important moment for the OAN and its Members to stop and reflect on the leadership of HIV positive women in Ontario and the organizations that support them. This year we’d like to recognize the work of Voices of Positive Women and the agency’s legacy of supporting HIV positive women in Ontario and building a generation powerful HIV positive women who are still leading today. Voices closed ten years ago and we must always remember the important work of this agency and its many contributions to our sector. We would also

Here is a list of our Member Agencies and their closure details. This page will continue to update, so please stay tuned. 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations – Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) – http://acas.org/acas-offices-closed/ ACCHO – AIDS Committee of Durham Region (ACDR) – https://www.aidsdurham.com/covid-19.html AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area (ACNBA) – AIDS Committee of Ottawa) (ACO) – http://aco-cso.ca/aco-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ ACT – https://www.actoronto.org/ Action Positive – Connect by phone 416-340-8484 ext 260 and e-mails at info@actionpositive.ca Africans In Partnership Against AIDS (APAA) – ARCH – https://www.archguelph.ca/COVID19 Black CAP – http://www.blackcap.ca/page.php?u=/news-events/covid19 Bruce House – https://brucehouse.ca/covid-19-bruce-house-programs-and-services/ Casey House – https://www.caseyhouse.com/how-we-help/day-health-program-services/

In their March 17 newsletter, Tech Soup Canada published a great resource to help Nonprofit Organizations work effectively during this COVID-19 crisis.  Please take the time to read the full article which provides useful tips to help create balance and effective remote habits.

There has been a lot of talk about how Social Distancing can help curtail the COVID-19 crisis, but we may want to consider using the term Physical Distancing instead.   The thought behind this is that while we should maintain physical boundaries and distance to reduce transmission of coronavirus, we need to promote social connections in order to help support and enhance relationships. Being isolated can have an unhealthy impact on individuals and society, so it’s important to find creative ways to be connected with each other – especially for the folks in our community who are more likely to face isolation. Psychology