Youthcore.ca

AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI)

About: AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI) is a community-based AIDS Service Organization (ASO). We provide education, support, and advocacy for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other communicable diseases. AIDS Vancouver Island provides integrated services to individuals with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases, and our Street Outreach Services provides services for people who use drugs by injection. AIDS Vancouver Island has managed the country's oldest needle exchange program since 1988.

At AIDS Vancouver Island we provide education, advocacy and support. AVI provides education and prevention information to schools, the broader community and target populations. Evidence demonstrates that comprehensive prevention programs can help to effectively contain HIV, hepatitis C, and other communicable diseases.

AIDS Vancouver Island provides integrated services to individuals with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.

Programs:
Positive Wellness Program: The Positive Wellness Program offers programming for HIV+ and co-infected (HIV and Hepatitis C) men and women, their family and friends. Includes:
• a member-only drop-in space that allows members to interact with their peers while enjoying refreshments and a hot, nutritious lunch
• access to weekly doctor’s clinic and on-site blood testing
• assistance with obtaining local public transportation tickets.
Street Outreach Services (SOS): AIDS Vancouver Island’s Street Outreach Services (SOS) provide services for people who use drugs by injection. The program is a core component of AVI’s responsibility to contain HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other communicable diseases.
Health Promotion and Community Development:
• Infoline (1-800-665-2437) provides information about HIV/AIDS, safer sex, HIV testing or transmission, STDs, harm reduction, and more.
• Education Creative Network arranges HIV/AIDS and related presentations (by appointment) for schools, workplaces, and other community organizations. Trained and qualified Speakers address a variety of topics and present to a wide range of audiences, including children as young as five.
• Health Fairs, Public Forums- throughout the year on HIV/AIDS and related issues.
• Resource Center- provides an extensive collection of material, which is available to the public regarding HIV/AIDS and related issues.
• The Men's Wellness Program- offers support, information and outreach to Gay, Bi and HIV+ gay or bisexual men.
• Queer Youth Community Development Program- works to prevent HIV infection among queer youth on Vancouver Island. This program runs the Outspeak Project. To learn more about Outspeak Visit www.outspeak.ca.
How to use this resource:
This resource could be best implemented through education on HIV/AIDS and having trained and qualified speakers come in and address topics relating to AIDS/HIV. It could also be a way of reaching members of the community by furthering education on areas unknown. The resource center would be of great assistance for education to the class on HIV/AIDS and related issues. By teaching on this subject it not only promotes inclusiveness in the class, it also educates students on things that may seem frightening and give them an outlet for their confusion.