What's New

AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI) will be hosting a public BBQ at their offices (1371 c. Cedar Street, off the alleyway) on May 19 to increase awareness of the shocking statistic that one in 12 people on the planet are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C and yet the majority of those infected are unaware.

“It is important to mark World Hepatitis Day and the fact that approximately 500 million people in the world have either hepatitis B or C and the majority of those infected do not know,” said Jeanette Reinhardt, health promotion worker at AVI. “While rates in Canada are not as high as global figures, British Columbia boasts hepatitis C rates that are twice as high as the national average.”

May 20, 2010

A weekend gathering in Nanaimo on May 28-30 is designed for gay and queer men who want to do more than "just survive." SHINE will bring together men for workshops, social events, hikes, talking and socializing. The event is an initiative of AIDS Vancouver Island and is led by Liam "Captain" Snowdon, a community development coordinator with AVI. It begins Friday May 28 with an evening reception.

People First Radio (CHLY Nanaimo) spoke with Liam "Captain" Snowdon about the upcoming workshop and about his experiences in health promotion and education.

CLICK HERE to listen.

June 10, 2009

ACCESS Health Centre receives $710,000 funding

Victoria – The Capital Regional Hospital District, the United Way of Greater Victoria, TELUS, and Coast Capital Savings have committed $710,000 towards the ACCESS Health Centre, a one-stop health and social services center for people struggling with homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues. ACCESS is a joint project of the Victoria Cool Aid Society and AIDS Vancouver Island, costing $5.3 million to reconstruct the ACCESS building at 713 Johnson Street.

“This brings the total amount raised for this project to $ 4.2 million,” said Kathy Stinson, executive director of the Victoria Cool Aid Society. “We are thrilled to be so close to our goal of $5.3 million for the project, which will allow us to offer improved health and social services to vulnerable people in our community.”

“Love Your Liver Health Fair” on May 18 at Centennial Square
in Honour of World Hepatitis Day
12-2pm

On May 18, AIDS Vancouver Island is hosting an educational event to bring the community together in honour of World Hepatitis Day. There will be on-site testing & vaccinations, referrals, information booths, food, entertainment, speakers and giveaways.

The event will bring together activists, HCV/HIV positive people, healthcare, poverty, and community groups, and, the general public, to explore issues related to hepatitis and HIV. The idea for a “Love Your Liver Health Fair” was developed by peer education trainees at AIDS Vancouver Island.

Other groups involved include: HepCBC, Our Place, Cool Aid Community Health Centre, VIHA Street Nurses, SOLID, the Action Committee for People with Disabilities, Foundation House, TAPS, Harm Reduction Victoria, and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

The generous support of the Victoria Foundation will help us to provide the many clients who wish to “give back” to the agency a volunteering experience that suits their needs.

The Client Volunteer Engagement Project will put in place a comprehensive training framework specifically designed to meet the needs of clients who wish to volunteer at AVI.

The Positive Women`s Network has launched a new website for women over 40.

Youshouldknow.ca is dedicated to women over 40 and their sexual health. The site provides clear, supportive information about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections so we can fully enjoy sex and relationships as women move into their middle years with partners new and old. Share resources and wisdom- women haven't gained their life experience for nothing!

Get the answers at www.youshouldknow.ca

Watch the SHAW coverage of the official opening of the Access Health Centre.

Access Health Centre Celebrates Grand Opening from Victoria Cool Aid Society on Vimeo.

All workshops are interactive and include group games and discussion.
Bonus: Experiential speakers available upon request!

HIV/AIDS: The Basics – This workshop is a basic introduction to HIV/AIDS, including how HIV affects someone’s health over time, how the virus can spread, testing for HIV and how to prevent transmission.

Hep C: The Basics – Another great introduction workshop, only this time covering Heptatitis C! We will talk about how liver health and function is affected by the Hep C virus, as well as how Hep C is transmitted. This is partnered with prevention information related to substance use and safer body art.

Sex, Society & You – A safe space for youth to use a critical lens to explore how social messages and media imagery can impact our ideas about sex and sexuality. Includes an examination of social messaging, and how they impact our definitions of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships.

The AVI Health Centre in Nanaimo is having an open house on July 22, 2010. Come for a tour of our clinic on Thursday July 22, from 12noon to 1pm

WHERE: #216 – 55 Victoria Road, Nanaimo.

Join us for a light lunch, refreshments and presentations.

+ Hear about our programs, accomplishments, and meet the team!
+ Read the results of our 2010 Evaluation
+ Hear about our HIV Seek & Treat Program
+ Dr. Keith Phillips our Senior Physician will speak on “Harm Reduction through Methadone Maintenance, Hep C and HIV treatment.”

Opened in 2003 by AIDS Vancouver Island to meet a gap in services in Nanaimo, the health centre provides the following services:

• Methadone Maintenance Program of BC,
• Hepatitis C treatment through Direct Observable Therapy,
• HIV Care Day – Monthly: Infectious Disease Specialist & AVI HC physicians provide GP services for people living with HIV,
• Full time clinic nurse, STI testing, PAP, wound care, immunizations, etc.,

AIDS Vancouver Island and the Victoria Cool Aid Society have announced that another $100,000 has been raised for the Access Health Centre. This $5.3 million building project is supported by the partner agencies, government, foundations, businesses and individuals. Just $900,000 remains to meet the mortgage-free goal.

The building at 713 Johnson Street, occupied since September 2009, is now home to counsellors from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre offering renewed downtown access to urban First Nations services. Later in the year, VIHA will also be moving some of their mental health and addiction services onto the second floor. These valuable partners will add to the integration of services available at the Access Health Centre which provides primary care, dental care, counselling and mental health services to the homeless and other vulnerable, at-risk populations, with a team approach that has been applauded by government, health care professionals and the community.