Gates of AVI
Well hello there
This is your favorite pest again.
I have recently seen the new bars that have been installed at AVI on Cormorant.
The biggest beef here is an extreme amount of money was spent on these gates and now there is NO MONEY for Bus Passes this year for Aids Clients.
I contacted disability and they will not help as they already are paying the majority of these passes.
I for one don't have an extra 45 dollars to spend here as I need ALL of my money now to live.
This is totally ridiculous that 10,000 or more dollars can be spent on gates that will destroyed in days by the Cormorant crew and Aids Victims can now be poorer because we have to spend more money from our cheque.
The proposed 713 Johnson street Medical Clinic is also in question. Yes, by all means build a Clinic on the main floor but it would be good to build living units in the floors above for AVI Clients.
75% of the Clients at AVI are homeless. The other 25% are living in units that are contaminated with bed bugs and mold spores and are not fit for human occupation.
Where do you get the money you say. Here is a quick figure for you.
At 425 a month for a room, your organization has just spent accommodation for 2 people for 1 year by putting those gates in at AVI.
Wild eh!
Also if your organization will see fit , we the clients can fund raise for you. I suggested this once and it was quickly forgotten and ignored.
I am now formally requesting that a member of the Aids Infected people be placed on the board of directors for this institution to represent our interests fully. The money coming into AVI is being mismanaged and I would like to see this solve itself by proper and above all moral solutions to this problem.
I would also suggest pay cut for employees. If you all want to do a service for the community then Volunteer services is the only way to go. I for one will Volunteer all of my spare time to this cause. Will you?
Michael Miles
Aids Victim
Neighborhood Volunteer
Gates
Dear Michael Miles,
Thank you for posting your concerns. To answer your questions, please know that the staff at AVI are doing everything they can to assure that cuts to programming are minimal. For example, we are organizing a fund raiser for World AIDS Day called Step Up To The Plate and all funds will go to the nutrition program.
As for your concern about HIV+ people on our board, please know that currently there are 3 HIV+ on AVI's board, one of which is a representative from the Vancouver Island Person with AIDS Society.
As for the gates, they are being installed for the safety and health of clients, volunteers and staff. As part of the Good Neighbour Agreement process that took place last summer, AVI committed to “pursue necessary modifications to the exterior of their premises which will discourage loitering, sleeping and other inappropriate use of space.”
AVI also recognizes that gates are not acceptable as a symbol—we don’t need more gates, we need more support services. As a community we need to provide alternatives to doorways, alleys and alcoves; we need to provide treatment beds, housing, and mental health and addictions services.
AIDS Vancouver Island is in the same position as many other businesses, residences and social service agencies in the downtown – in the face of increasing homelessness and lack of support services for people in need, we are struggling to keep our doorways clean and free of debris. Despite the efforts of a volunteer who cleans the entrances every morning and the excellent work of City of Victoria cleaning crews, the situation has required us putting in a barrier that will assist in keeping our doorways free of debris. There are many people who access our services, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the entrances to the building are sanitary.
Be assured that we continue to work hard on expanding services to meet the need of clients and those who are in need of AVI’s Services.
Sincerely,
George Pine
A/Executive Director