Monthly Archives: April 2020

Please help us raise funds for our Support Program’s PHA (person/people living with HIV/AIDS) Funds. This Covid19 pandemic has definitely affected a number of not-for-profit agencies and charities including ACAS. A line up of our events since March 2020 that help us fundraise and support some of our programs and services have been postponed and/or canceled indefinitely. With your generosity, it will help us maintain and stabilize funds allocated for our Support Program’s PHA Funds. These funds are accessed by our clients in need particularly during this unprecedented time. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/asian-community-aids-services/events/please-help-acas-support-programs-pha-funds/ With this fundraiser, we are offering 4 donation tiers. Before selecting your option for a donation type, we invite you to read the following information: 35.00 - 1 mask & $20 donation tax receipt 70.00 - 2 masks & $40 donation tax receipt 150.00 - 4 masks & $90 donation tax receipt 200.00 - 8 masks & $120 donation tax receipt *Shipping and handling is included within Canada / USA*After checkout, please email volunteer@acas.org to let us know of your mask selection. The masks styles we have currently in stock are labeled M1-M12. **Additionally, you can choose to gift this mask to someone. With this option, please email volunteer@acas.org and provide the recipient's name. At this time, we can only send your specially packaged mask(s) gift to 1 shipping address.  THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS FUNDRAISING DRIVE FOR OUR SUPPORT PROGRAM!      

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! It's National Volunteer Week 2020! April 19-25, 2020 -It’s time to applaud this country’s volunteers. Let’s all cheer for Canada’s volunteers! We are still accepting new volunteers during this time. If you are interested in helping to organize events/workshops, please contact us. We can work together to continue creating safer spaces online for our Asian LGBTQ community Almost 13 million Canadian volunteers deserve our coast-to-coast-to-coast cheers for their dedication and generosity. Let’s all join together to applaud their immense contribution to our country, our communities and millions of our lives during National Volunteer Week (NVW). National Volunteer Week details: https://www.volunteer.ca/nvw2017  

Please see some tips from ACAS Health Promotion Team Tips for Stress Management to manage stress and your mental health during self isolation:  Accept that some anxiety and fear is normal COVID-19 is a new virus and we are still learning about it. The uncertainty about the virus and the changes that are unfolding can make most people feel a bit anxious. Anxiety is normal and natural, it can help motivate us to take action to protect ourselves and others, and to learn more about the pandemic. Anxiety motivates us to assess the potential dangers to ourselves or loved ones and to take the necessary steps to assure safety. Find a balance: Know what is going on, but know when to take a break While staying informed is helpful, having information overload will not provide extra benefit. Limit checking sources to once per day or set a limit that is right for you. This includes reading or listening to news stories about COVID-19. Even though things are shifting rapidly, daily changes are not likely to affect how you should manage your risk. How to deal with self isolation: Being isolated can be very lonely. Remember though to continue to isolate from your friends and family, to ensure the virus does not spread to others. People placed in quarantine or self-isolation may experience a wide range of feelings, including fear, anger, sadness, irritability, guilt or confusion. They may find it hard to sleep. Some people might feel relieved. Humans are social creatures and need connection to others to thrive, which can make isolation challenging. The following suggestions may help you through this challenging time: Keep busy Create and stick to a schedule for work, leisure, chores, meals, physical activity and sleep. It is important to maintain some sort of routine, however if [...]

Recently ACAS held an online workshop Fri Apr 17, 7:00pm about sex toys and safer sex, 12+ people attended remotely... We talked about expanding what sex meant and how to have it in these times, keeping risk management and our own boundaries in mind.   Another ENGAGING workshop on today https://www.facebook.com/events/504881323730643  

Dr Eileen De Villa, Medical Officer of Health, ordered the following measures that will take effect immediately April 1st for up to 12 weeks. All those confirmed positive are to stay home under the Health Protection and Promotion Act for 14 days. All those who have had close contact with someone confirmed positive are to stay home for 14 days. Everyone who is not sick or has not travelled is “strongly directed” to stay home except for the following essential needs: accessing healthcare or medication, groceries once a week, walking pets and daily exercise, while maintaining social distancing protocols. Residents returning home from international travel are to stay home, as directed by a federal order. Anyone over the age of 70 is encouraged to stay home as much as possible. The city is looking to increase support for those experiencing homelessness in regard to self-isolation. Only businesses deemed essential should remain open but are to practice maintaining social distancing protocols, infection prevention and control practices and limit in-person access. Businesses are also asked to increase cleaning and active screening of employees at all businesses. https://globalnews.ca/news/6761181/coronavirus-toronto-covid-19-health-april-1/ REMINDER FROM ACAS Due to the coronavirus outbreak, ACAS office will be closed to the public until further notice. The decision was made in order to ensure health of our staff, participants, and communities. In-person services and program delivery are suspended with most staff working from home. We will respond to your phones, emails remotely and Support program staff will offer in-person assistance only on crucial services. Find out how you can reach us at http://acas.orgacas-offices-closed/ KEEP WELL.