OAN News

The Leadership Symposium, held from October 1st – 3rd in Guelph was a huge success!

Executive Directors and PPN Directors had the rare opportunity to meet face-to-face and share some challenges, solutions and a more unified direction for the HIV Sector across Ontario.

Of the 50 attendees, 26 were directly involved in planning, presenting or facilitating the event, which ensured great diversity in perspective and experience for a fulsome, professional exchange between leaders.

Below, some candid shots of our participants snapped by our masterful facilitators Beth Jordan and John Miller,

Preparations for The Middle Manager’s Workshop, taking place November 5 & 6 in Kingston are in full swing! Thank you to those who were able to provide us with feedback for our Agenda content – we have lots of great ideas from which we’ll craft our final programme! Confirmation emails will be sent out next week to confirm registration.

Again this year, the OAN will be joining forces with the OHTN to deliver the Support Workers Workshop, integrated into the OHTN Endgame 3 Research Conference. Directors will receive an email next week to share with their Support Workers and with all the details!

The Ontario HIV Substance Use Training Program is making their online resources available to everyone in the sector.

The resources available are:

• Introduction to HIV
• Methamphetamine: The Basics
• Methamphetamine: Working with and supporting people who use
• Injection Drug Use Equipment recording (90 mins)
• Safer Inhalation (crack smoking) Equipment recording (90 mins)

This list — composed of a mix of video webinars, course curricula and recordings — was carefully crafted using a harm-reduction, non-judgmental lens and uses lived experience as a base for information and training.

Certificates of completion for any course or webinar can be provided on request.

The AIDS Committee of Durham Region is organizing a youth Pozzy Friendsgiving weekend November 3rd & 4th at the Ramada Hotel in Toronto. The event will feature Laron Nelson and our very own Tara Jewal (Manager of PLDI and Special Events) as workshop facilitators!

All travel, meals and accommodation expenses will be covered for eligible participants. For details and for more information, call 1-905-576-1445 or email events@aidsdurham.com.

The Toronto Fast Track City Initiative is organizing a free Town Hall discussion at the 519 Church Street Community Centre (Toronto) on Thursday, November 1st.

Toronto is trying to step up and join other cities around the world in a UNAIDS initiative called Fast Track Cities to push beyond the inertia and end the HIV epidemic here.

Other cities are changing the way they work. They are finding new ways to connect with hard-to-reach populations. They are making it easier for people to get tested. They are strengthening their prevention programs as well as support and treatment services. And they are fighting stigma. Their efforts are paying off! They’ve seen dramatic drops in new infections and better more comprehensive care for people living with HIV.

It’s Toronto’s turn. You’re invited to share your ideas and work together to end the HIV epidemic in Toronto.

519 Church Street Community Centre (Toronto)
Thursday, November 1st
5:30pm – 8pm

The 519 is an accessible facility with a ramp, elevator, and all-gender washrooms.

Facebook event link is here.