Monthly Archives: July 2014

Summer is here, but we at ACAS have been busy at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Australia between July 20-25, 2014 and hosting our wonderful Volunteer Appreciation party! ACAS at AIDS 2014! Summer is here, but we at ACAS have been busy at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Australia between July 20-25, 2014. Dr. Alan Li, ACAS Men’s Sexual Health Coordinator Richard Utama and Community Engagement Coordinator/AMP2R Research Study Coordinator presented both a poster abstract on resiliency promoting strategies based on the Asian Pathways to Resiliency Study (AMP2R) findings as well as an interactive workshop on Two Cultures Collide: Sexual Wellbeing Promotion Among Asian Men Living in Western Societies. On behalf of ACAS, we would like to thank the research team and community research advisory team members for making this community such a success!     Thank you to all our lovely ACAS volunteers! We at ACAS would like to acknowledge that as a small-sized non-profit organization, we would not be able to be what we are without the help of our extremely talented and committed team of volunteers. To thank all our volunteers who have contributed so much to ACAS this year, we hosted a lovely Volunteer Appreciation Party on Wednesday July 23, 2014. Everyone enjoyed great food, company and the lovely summer weather. Thanks once again for being a part of the ACAS family!   World Pride Human Rights Conference Re-cap by our Pride Coordinator Ray Garcia Did you miss this year’s World Pride Human Rights Conference end of June? Our Pride Coordinator Ray Garcia had written a lovely blog article on the various ACAS panel: On June 25th 2014, Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) kicked off World Pride by participating in three panels at North America’s very first World Pride Human Rights Conference (hosted by the University [...]

TWO ACAS INTERNAL JOB POSTINGSFor members, volunteers, service users, and current employees1) Women’s Outreach Program CoordinatorType of position: Part-time (3 full days/week), contract position (10 months, renewable to 2 more years)Application Deadline: Thursday, July 31 (midnight)Interview Date:  Tuesday, August 5, 2014Starting Date:  August 11, 2014  ACAS Admin Assistant 2014 ACAS Women's Outreach Program Coordinator 2014 2) Administrative AssistantType of position: part-time, contract, 2.5 days/weekApplication Deadline:  Wednesday, August 13, 2014 (midnight)Interview Date: Monday, August 18, 2014Start Date:  Monday, September 1, 2014Hourly wage: $14-15, depending on qualifications ACAS Admin Assistant 2014

On June 25th 2014, Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) kicked off World Pride by participating in three panels at North America’s very first World Pride Human Rights Conference (hosted by the University of Toronto). 1. ACAS’s first panel titled Intersectional Approaches to HIV/AIDS and Toronto’s Racialized Communities, moderated by Dr. Alan Li, took place on June 25th. The panel was composed of executive directors from four of Toronto’s leading ethnocultural HIV/AIDS organizations: Noulmook Sutdhibhasilp of ACAS, Shannon Ryan of Black Coalition for Aids Prevention (BlackCap), Vijaya Chikermane of Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP) and Fanta Ongoiba of African Partnership against AIDS (APAA). Though they did not officially adopt the term “intersectionality” in their work, the panel agreed that Intersectionality is a tool for analysis which helps them understand how different sets of identities and inequalities influence a person’s risk to HIV; how they are treated and live with the disease; and how our medical, political and social systems respond to the epidemic. The panel centred on challenging the “one size fits all” approach prevalent in the HIV/AIDS service sector; it also highlighted the importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV/AIDS services for Toronto’s racialized communities. In addition, the panel also discussed the difficulties of addressing issues within complicated and diverse racialized communities—issues based on gender, sexual orientation, class, migration and culture call for expansive and fluid programs and services. Some of these programs include: ASAAP’s Brownkiss.ca: a website for South Asians that focuses on sexual health, feminism, healthy relationships and story sharing. BlackCAP’s 3MV (Many Men Many Voices), provides black gay men with training and information to make healthy sexual decisions. ACAS’s Queer Asian Youth Program organizes social outings and educational workshops for queer Asian youth (many who are new to Canada). APAA’s work in providing HIV/AIDS support [...]

ACAS Job Posting:  Women's Support Worker  Position Type: Contract - Part Time Date Ad Posted: July 7, 2014 Job Region: ON - Metro Toronto Area Application Deadline: July 28, 2014 Years Experience: 2 Interview Date: July 31 We are looking for a passionate and experienced person to fill a part-time (21 hours/week), contract position, starting immediately.ACAS supports employment equity. People living with HIV/AIDS, people from the East and Southeast Asian Canadian communities are encouraged to apply.Responsibilities: Work in collaboration with the Support Program Coordinator to plan, implement and evaluate the women’s support services Provide lay counselling for women living with HIV Provide case management – intake, assessment, wellness/ follow-up planning, referral, advocacy and other practical support to clients, and their families Organize 3-4 social events/year for women living with HIV Work with the Support Program team to organize health promotion workshops, alternative therapy program and other services as needed Liaise and network with appropriate organizations for support and care, education, advocacy and referral Maintain support program statistics, reports, evaluations, client files Collaborate with other staff on the preparation of funding proposals and reports to funder Other administrative duty as appropriate Qualifications: College, university degree in social work, social services, counselling, public health or at least 2 years of practical knowledge/work experience in the above areas Familiarity with and knowledge of issues faced by East & Southeast Asian women, especially of those living with HIV/AIDS Experience in basic and/or lay counselling service, case management and community development work Basic knowledge about HIV treatment Good communication and writing skills in English Experience working in the field of HIV/AIDS support an asset Ability and willingness to collaborate, as well as work independently in a team setting and committee environment Ability to work under a queer-positive, sex-positive, and anti-oppressive framework  Basic computer skills Ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally [...]

On behalf of the board and staff members, ACAS would like to thank all our members, allies, volunteers, donors, marchers and float decorators for making this year’s WorldPride an extremely memorable one. ACAS had a full week of WorldPride related events including hosting a Welcome Reception for Asian Delegates attending WorldPride 2014, presenting on three panels at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference, and participating at the Trans March, Dyke March, QAY Cabaret Pride Stage, as well as marching with our very own ACAS Pride Float this year!  ACAS WorldPride Welcome Reception (Photo by Sophia Zhao) ACAS Welcome Reception for Asian Delegates attending WorldPride 2014 ACAS was very excited and extremely honoured to have the opportunity to host a welcome reception for the many international Asian delegates attending this year’s WorldPride and the WorldPride Human Rights Conference on June 25, 2014. Honoured guests included past International Pride Grand Marshals Angie Umbac of the Philippines, Thai trans activist Kath Khangpiboon, Taiwanese delegates Paul Hsu and Howard Chiu of the Taiwan Lourdes Association and Chih-Liu Peng and Shi-Cheng Du of the Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ) Hotline Association, Korean delegates Minhee Ryu, Horim Yi of the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, and Candy Yun of the Korean Sexual-Minority Culture and Rights Center, Dandan Zhang of Tong Yu La La (Same Language) of Hong Kong, Roger Tam of the Gay Men’s Health Clinic of Winnipeg, and Frank Folino of the WorldPride 2014 team. Aside from fun games, good food and opportunities to mingle, the evening saw the premier of the new ACAS Men’s Program educational video. We would like to thank our MC Steven Shi and our host the Holiday Inn Yorkville-Bloor for making this event possible, and editor Jack Jia of the Chinese News Group for attending and covering the event.   ACAS [...]