HIV Community Link

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Where to Be Tested

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• HEAT - provides HIV, hepatitis C, and other STI education, awareness, and prevention services to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). The program provides easy access to information and resources that are especially supportive of this community with a specific goal of addressing HIV in MSM communities. Want to know where to go for testing? Easy, our HEAT Worker can hook you up with all your options. Need to keep your condom stash stocked? Our HEAT Worker can point you toward all the free condoms you need and answer any of your questions and queries about safer sex, sexual health, HIV testing, living with HIV, and more.

Our community-based services offer non-judgmental information, education, and support to all Gay, Bi, and MSM:

• Training and workshops for community members and partner organizations
• In-person outreach at community events, venues, and testing clinics
• Online outreach and education through social networking and dating sites
• Free safer sex supplies and education materials
• Advocacy, collaboration, and community-based research projects
• Peer-based groups to reduce HIV risk and increase healthy behaviors

For More Info

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• DRUMBEAT - Drumbeat helps tackle stigma and remove barriers to accessing resources, addressing HIV in the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities, and achieving better access to HIV testing and support services. We work to reduce HIV transmission and improve supports for ACB communities affected by HIV.

Key program activities include:

• Education for clients and staff in programs and organizations serving ACB communities
• Outreach at ACB community gathering places such as immigrant-serving organizations churches, businesses, cultural associations, and events
• Consultation on best practices and cultural competency training for engaging ACB communities in health and social services
• Free safer sex supplies and information material in the community
• HIV information brochures available in several African languages
• Special events, meetings, and groups focusing on the needs of women

For More Info

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• STRONG VOICES - This is a culturally informed outreach and support program. Our goal is to build wellness through cultural knowledge, participation, and identity while reducing risk and addressing immediate needs for Indigenous communities. Strong Voices engages Indigenous communities along a path of wellness and healing through support services for people experiencing risk such as homelessness, substance use, mental health concerns, isolation, lack of access to support and care.

We Offer:

• Cultural connection
• Access to Elders, sweatlodge ceremony, and other traditional practices
• Case management
• Crisis support
• Referrals to health, basic needs, employment, and other resources
• Free harm reduction supplies

For More Info

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• SHIFT - has a harm reduction and rights-based approach to sex work. We recognize that sex work is a choice for many, and respect the rights of adults to make this choice. We also recognize that for some, factors such as poverty or exploitation can put people into situations where they don’t have control. Shift’s services will meet you where you are at – whether you want to continue sex work, safely exit, or anything in-between. For More Info

Supports Include:

• Emotional support and case management
• Free safer sex supplies
• Advocacy: Income supports, Child and Family Services, etc.
• Escort, Massage, Entertainment licensing information and support
• Sexual health information
• Referrals for low-cost contraception and for HIV and STI testing
• Working safely: “Bad Date” reporting, safer working strategies (date screening, condom negotiation)
• Referrals: Mental health, substance use treatment, housing, financial, employment, basic needs, legal

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• PEER SUPPORT (PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV) - Currently, we have two HIV Peer Support groups running and we are in the process of expanding our services. If you are living with HIV and believe in the benefits of peer support, please consider joining us.

1. Plus Friends -  a safe and inclusive group for anyone living with HIV. This group aims to offer support and community in a social setting. Anything discussed at the meeting stays with the group. Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month in the evening.
2. Positive Connections - a monthly peer support group, a non-judgemental and safe place for women to share their stories, successes, and challenges of living with the virus.

For More Info on Peer Support Groups