ACAS holds Annual General Meeting and welcomes new Board Members!
On September 18, 2014, ACAS held its Annual General Meeting at Fife House. It was a well-attended event where members got to meet ACAS staff members, learned about the successes of all our programs, and caught up with friends and allies. ACAS would like to thank the dedication and support from exiting Board Members Andre Goh, Karen Tsang, Michael Adia, and Carmen Subibi. We would like to welcome our new Board Members Gerson Mobo and Ronald Chu to our board!
Our current board members are: Paul Cadiente, Joel Bansil, Ronald Chu, Paul Fernandes, Emily Hao, Jazzmine Manalo, Gerson Mobo, Giovanni Temansja, and Agnes Tong.
ACAS Scotia Run Charity Challenge Update
With only a little more than weeks away, excitement is building among our 24 registered runners/walkers and our 5 teams raising funds to support ACAS and East and Southeast Asians living with HIV. As of Thursday, October 2, 2014, we have raised $9041, which is 45% of our $20,000 fundraising goal. Please kindly consider supporting our many dedicated runners and walkers for this meaningful event!
Our top fundraiser is Dr. Alan Li, founder of ACAS and recipient of our 20th Anniversary Community Building Award, with $2450, and the team with most funds raised is Team CelebrAsian with $3590!!!
Like previous years, many of our ACAS staff are participating at the charity challenge. If you would like to sponsor a staff member, please click on the name of the staff you would like to sponsor and you will be redirected to a secure online donation page.
- Andrew Miao $650.00
- Noulmook Sutdhibhailp $575.00
- Christian Hui $535.00
- Richard Utama $515.00
- Ryan Tran $415.00
- Trisha S $250.00
- Meza Daulet $100.00
- Cassandra Dong Nguyen $35.00
- Jenny Cheng $35.00
As for the teams, we currently have a tight race between Team CelebrAsian and Team ACAS. The following is a break-down of the team performances:
- Team CelebrAsian $3,590.00
- Team ACAS $2,406.00
- ACAS MANiacs $1095.00
- Team Patrick Truong $855.00
- Herricane $645.00
If you would like to sponsor a team, please click on the team name and you will be redirected to the team’s fundraising page. All donations over $20 will be eligible for tax receipts.
It is only with you help that we can continue our work in supporting our community, caring for our future. Thanks once again for your support!
The ACAS Men’s Program launches Straight Talk!
Are you a straight or heterosexually-identified East or Southeast Asian man who enjoys having sex with other men? If so, we would like to find out how we can better meet your needs! The Straight Talk program is a new initiative funded by the Toronto Urban Health Fund and aims to promote sexual health and HIV awareness for straight-identified men who have sex with other men. If you would like to take part in our confidential interviews, please contact Christian Hui at straighttalk@acas.org or 416-963-3400 ext. 235.
CAS outreaches to Asian Migrant Farm Workers with Justice for Migrant Workers and Mangalji LLP
Continuing our work with the underserved migrant farm worker population in Ontario, ACAS outreached to 35 Thai migrant farm workers in Hamilton on September 8, 2014. Working with long-time community partner Chris Ramsaroop of Justice for Migrant Workers, and Elizabeth Long, immigration lawyer from Mangalji LLP, an 1.5 hour info session was held to introduce to the participants our culturally and linguistically relevant programs and services of ACAS, as well as new immigration laws and workers’ rights topics related to migrant farm workers. Our special thanks to My Thai Restaurants‘ owner, Ms. Vanh Kalong and her staff team for providing us a meeting room and donating delicious Thai food for the workers.
Check out our Health Promotion Videos Series on the ACAS HIV Treatment Information in Asian Languages Website!
ACAS Support Program Health Promotion Workshop Videos are now available on the ACAS HIV Treatment Information in Asian Languages Website (http://treatment.acas.org/health-promotion-newsletter-and-videos/). This past month, we have uploaded four videos from our health promotion workshop series aimed at empowering service users with the ability to better care for their health holistically.
The video series include:
- Maintaining emotional and psychological wellness by Dr. Adriana Carvalhal
- Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV by Dr. David Wong
- HIV and Brain Health by Dr. Sean Rourke
- HIV treatment and prevention update by Pharmacist Aneeta Lal
We would like to thank you Janssen, Gilead, Merk and ViiV Healthcare for making the workshop and video series possible.
Sa-wat-dee! ACAS at Destination Thailand at Yonge-Dundas Square on September 14 at Yonge and Dundas Square
Did you see the ACAS booth at this year’s Destination Thailand? The community event is an annual celebration of the colourful culture and cuisine of the Thai community in Toronto and was held in the heart of the city at Yonge-Dundas Square. Those who stopped by were treated with not only sexual health information but also an opportunity to win a prize!
The ACAS Women’s Program are looking for Peer Educators to join our team!
Do you identify as an East or Southeast Asian woman or trans woman?
Do you speak an East or Southeast Asian language?
Are you interested in equity and women’s health?
Do you want to learn how to do outreach in your community?
Do you want to meet and connect with other Asian women?
ACAS’ Women’s Program is holding a peer educator’s workshop on HIV 101, SEX POSITIVITY, AND SAFER SEX DEMONSTRATION on Sunday October 5th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
A light lunch will be provided.
Registration is required – Space is limited.
This is an LGBTQ friendly space.
We regret that our space is not wheelchair accessible at this time. However, should you have accessibility needs or any other questions please contact Cassandra Dang Nguyen at women@acas.org or call us at 416 – 963 – 4300 EXT 225 and we will try our best to accommodate you.
Join us at the ACAS Men’s Program Movie Night sponsored by the ACAS Men’s Program and Straight Talk!
Are you a cat person, a dog person, or do you like both?
Are you straight, gay, bi, queer or does it really matter?
We will be screening “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”
This amazing Taiwanese film explores individual and cultural identity, sexual attraction, and love as married man begins to question his sexual orientation while he and his wife consider having another child. Trailer: http://youtu.be/9eMIEViDfd0
Date: THURSDAY OCT 9
Time: 6:30pm – 9pm
Location: ACAS, 260 Spadina Ave, Unit 410
This event is intended for Asian men only. Popcorn & light snacks will be provided.
Please contact Ryan or Brian for more info:
Ryan
Men’s Sexual Health Project Coordinator
(416) 963-4300 ext. 236
mensexualhealth@acas.org
Brian
Men’s Outreach Worker
(416) 963-4300
gaap@acas.org
Take part in the Queer Asian Youth Survey!
Have you ever felt that there was a lack of services for you as an Asian Youth in your community?
ACAS is conducting an anonymous and confidential survey for self-identified East/Southeast Asian youth (under 29) who reside in Toronto and the GTA. The information collected will be used to improve the programming of Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) Youth Program. This survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes. You can participate in the surevey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/qay
Please contact Meza if you have any questions regarding this survey or information about the youth program.
Meza (Mezart Daulet)
Youth Education & Outreach Program Coordinator
youth@acas.org
416-963-4300 Ext.229
ACAS’ Youth Program strives to improve the quality of life of East and Southeast Asian youth living in the GTA by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate education and outreach. All our activities are based on a non-judgemental peer driven education approach. Our target population includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, queer, questioning (LGBTTQQ), curious or undecided youth. Queer Asian Youth (QAY) is an initiative of the ACAS Youth Program that has been providing social spaces, capacity development, and peer support for the population since 2000.
Have a great October and Thanksgiving!
