AVI's 'Victoria' office is located on the territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) speaking peoples of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations.
PHONE 250-384-2366 FAX 250-380-9411
TOLL FREE / INFOLINE 1-800-665-2437
EMAIL info at avi dot org
OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 10am-3pm.
MAILING ADDRESS 3rd Floor - Access Health Centre 713 Johnson St, Victoria BC V8W 1M8
HARM REDUCTION SUPPLIES Call 250-384-2366 for more info about supplies. Harm reduction supply distro from 10am-3pm, Monday-Friday at 713 Johnson St.
VICTORIA MOBILE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES (harm reduction supply delivery)
12-4pm Wed-Fri [250-896-AVIX (2849)]. *Victoria area only
WESTSHORE/SOOKE MOBILE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES
Monday- Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, 250-360-6315
*NEW* COMMUNITY-LED CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM (CLCR)
The Community-Led Crisis Response (CLCR) Team has soft-launched to specific community, mental health and substance use related services in the Victoria Community. At this time, we are engaged in carefully providing crisis de-escalation and support services and are participating in community feedback to ensure an equitable, transparent and culturally safe service is provided. We look forward to becoming a service available to the general public in the future.
To get in touch with our team please email Lacey at lacey.mesley@avi.org. Public access to our CLCR hotline will be released shortly.
HARM REDUCTION RESPONSE TEAM:
In response to community needs the Response Team will be redirecting our service provision to AVIs Drop-In Services.
We are grateful for the community's support and collaboration with the Response Team, especially in helping us to provide survival supplies and warm meals for the last two years.
We look forward to welcoming community members to our Drop-In Services.
General services
INFOLINE 1-800-665-2437 Learn more about HIV & HCV safer sex, HIV testing or transmission, STDs and harm reduction. Find services for you or someone you know. All confidential calls taken by trained staff and volunteers.
- Presentations for populations with greater exposure to HIV and HVC in prisons, social service organizations, and other community organizations are available by request.
- Educational materials promoting improved health, safer drug use, safer sex and more are available to the public at all AVI offices and online.
- Volunteer Services provides an opportunity to give back to your community while developing invaluable training and work experience
Services for people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C
- Short-term counseling focused on immediate needs and outcomes
- Advocacy and support with income assistance, health care services, employment, housing, disability status applications and legal matters
- Non-judgmental education and support for treatment, side effects, nutrition and symptoms
- HIV+, member-only program and space for peers to interact while enjoying refreshments and a hot, nutritious lunch. Open to folks who are HepC+ on Tuesdays.
- Weekly drop-in medical clinic
- Public transportation ticket access
- Referrals to other services
Prism Wellness
- Prism Wellness’ primary focus is to reduce HIV, Hepatitis C, STIs, and stigma in the Southern Vancouver Island communities of gender and sexual minorities. By promoting queer and trans health in these, our communities, we are accomplishing that goal. We encourage our community to make informed choices about their own sexual and substance use practices and wellness. Sex and harm reduction education to reduce HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections is part of our mission. It is paired with the cultivation of attitudes and behaviours that support safer, strong and stable foundations for overall community health and wellbeing.
- Prism Wellness services include group and solo support, Queer Eye for the Service Provider training, wellness groups, peer leadership programs, a biannual conference, outreach, drop-in testing and PrEP nights. To learn more visit their page at http://avi.org/prism-wellness
Harm reduction services for people who use drugs
- Mobile Van (deliveries & used syringe pick-up from Sidney to Sooke); Wed-Fri noon - 4pm
- Case management support (713 Outreach Team partnership with Island Health)
- Harm reduction supplies and support (peer support, counselling, referrals)
- Overdose prevention and response training, including take-home naloxone
- Education for safer drug use and safer sex
- Street Nurse clinics
- Referral and assistance navigating social and health care systems
- Outreach education for youth and people who are incarcerated
- Educational and leadership development programming (Street College)