Monthly Archives: September 2020

Dear ACAS service users, volunteers and allies, It has been 6 months since we closed our office to the public and quickly modified our services to respond to our service users’ needs. I would like to inform you that on Tuesday, September 8th, we will be opening our office to the public again with new normal safety features, and in-person modified services. In-person services will be provided by appointment only.  We ask you to Make an appointment with staff by phone, email, or text at least 24 hours in advance. Staff will confirm your appointment and remind you to answer COVID-19 pre-screening questions. Answer COVID-19 screening questions before coming to the ACAS office If you have one or more symptoms or do not feel well, do not come to the ACAS office. Self-isolate and consider getting a COVID-19 test or seek medical help. You can reschedule an in-person appointment or use our service by phone, or a virtual meeting. On your appointment day, come to ACAS office on time or 5 minutes before your appointment with no accompanied person. Sanitize your hands with a hand sanitizer or wash hands with soap in the nearest washroom. Wear a mask and practice a 2-meter social distancing at all times in the office. We will provide a mask if you forgot to bring it. Practice social distancing when using a public washroom and elevator in the building To make it safer for you to interact with staff, we have done the following: installed plexi-glass barriers and purchased portable ones, enhanced our cleaning protocols on high-touch surfaces, used floor marking signs for social distancing, rearranged furniture, and limit number of washroom users. Please note that we will continue delivering educational services and health promotion workshops virtually. The majority of staff still work remotely and [...]

INTERNAL JOB POSTING (For service users and volunteers) YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR Application Deadline:  Thursday, September 17th Type of Contract: Full-time, 2.5 year contract Starting Date:  Immediately Interview Date: September 21st-23rd We are seeking a passionate and dedicated person to fill in the project coordinator’s position. The Queer & Trans Asian Youth When You’re Ready (WYR) is a three-year project which aims to increase resiliency and peer and service support networks for LGBTQ+ East and Southeast Asian youth related to coming out and/or queerness while supporting ties within cultural communities. Responsibilities  Plan, implement and evaluate the QTAY WYR Project Recruit, train and supervise 3 youth volunteers per year to assist with project activities Work with youth volunteers to plan, organize, and evaluate 4 WYR cycles a year Organize outreach to promote project in schools, community agencies, public events, and social media Develop materials suitable for WYR Monitor project budget and keep financial records Develop evaluation tools suitable for the project Maintain statistics, and prepare written progress reports Qualifications Familiarity with or lived experience in the East and Southeast Asian LGBTQ+ community Experience in project management Experience in workshop planning, group facilitation especially with youth Experience in community outreach Knowledge, interest, and experience in issues of HIV/AIDS, healthy sexuality, and harm reduction, and peer-based education concepts Excellent ability to prioritize, delegate, and handle multiple tasks Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Ability to work under a youth-friendly, queer-positive, sex-positive, and anti-oppressive framework Ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally Speak one of the East and Southeast Asian languages an asset Please send a cover letter, resume with 2 references by email to Hiring Committee Email: officeadmin@acas.org Subject: Job Application- Youth Coordinator ACAS supports employment equity. People from the East and Southeast Asian Canadian communities, LGBTQ+, and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply [...]

INTERNAL JOB POSTING (Open for ACAS volunteers and service users) Project Lead - Rainbow GPS Project for Asian LGBTQ Newcomers Application Deadline: Sunday, September 6 Interview Date: Wednesday September 9 Contract: Short-term, Sept 1, 2020 - February 28, 2021 Start Date: Immediately Compensation: $2000 honorarium ACAS is seeking a passionate East or Southeast Asian cisgender or transgender person who self-identifies as part of the LGBTQ community, has lived experience as a newcomer, international student, or immigrant. The Rainbow GPS Project is a short-term orientation project for Asian LGBTQ newcomers transitioning to live in Toronto. Through 8 online sessions, LGBTQ themes are introduced including gender identities, coming out, relationships, consent, and sexuality by learning the language, culture, and resources to navigate and connect to the Toronto LGBTQ community. Qualifications Familiarity with or lived experience in the East and Southeast Asian LGBTQ communities Lived experience as an international student or newcomer a must Speak, write and understand one of the East and Southeast Asian languages Workshop design and facilitation skills Interpersonal and communication skills Demonstrated commitment to anti-homophobia, anti-oppression, and healthy sexuality principles Understanding of HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination, harm reduction principles and practices Self-directed and able to work flexible hours (in the evenings and weekends) Computer skills: MS Office, Zoom or other Video Conferencing software Graphic design or experience in producing promotional materials (Facebook event poster) would be an asset Responsibilities Work with Education and Outreach Manager to plan, implement and evaluate project Coordinate and facilitate 8 workshop sessions with guest speakers Promote project to international student centres at universities and colleges, international student groups, settlement agencies, and ACAS network Recruit 8-10 participants per session who identify as East and Southeast Asian LGBTQ international students, newcomers, new immigrants, or with a temporary visa/permit Track project expenses and financial records Prepare project evaluation surveys [...]