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On behalf of the ACAS Board, Staff and Volunteers, we would like to thank all the honoured guests, VIPs, performers, attendees, allies, donors, supporters who helped made the ACAS Sweet 16 CelebrAsian Fundraising Gala for Queer Asian Youth a night to remember!     A list of Asian luminaries including political powerhouse, Ryerson University Distinguished Visiting Professor, and long-time equality campaigner Olivia Chow, Trillium Book Award Winner writer Wayson Choy, and video artist, writer, public intellectual and theorist Richard Fung, along with over 300 other guests, attended the Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) CelebrAsian Sweet 16 CelebrAsian for Queer Asian Youth (QAY) Fundraising Gala on Friday, May 6, 2016 to celebrate the 16th anniversary of QAY’s community leadership, support and services provided to provide culturally-safe services to LGBTQ youth of East and Southeast Asian heritage in the Greater Toronto Area. Equality Advocate Olivia Chow as Auctioneer for the Oil Painting “Velvet Vault” by Artist Cheng Min, which fetched for $1000.   For the past 21 years, Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) has provided vital support to persons living with HIV/AIDS, a safe space for LGBTQ community members, and education and outreach to underserved migrant farmworkers of East and Southeast Asian communities. Noulmook Sutdhibhasilp, ACAS Executive Director remarks, “QAY program is a good investment for the future of youth. From time to time, I meet former QAY participants who express genuine appreciation for the support from this unique program for Asian youth and peers. They let me know the program has allowed them go through their life crisis with strength and pride….that they became who they are because of QAY.” Filipino singer Phee Jay Domingo, serenades to Miss ACAS, community ambassador for Asian Community AIDS Services at the Sweet 16 CelebrAsian Fundraising Gala Since 2000, Queer Asian Youth (QAY), as the youth [...]

We want to thank each and everyone of you for a very successful CelebrAsian Sweet 16 Fundraising Gala for Queer Asian Youth in early May! It has been an extremely busy April at ACAS. Just like our Spring season that came a little late this year,, our April 2016 Month in Review is arriving a little behind schedule --- yet still with all the amazing updates you are looking for!   Spring is a Time for Planting   To welcome Spring, The ACAS Women’s Program got together for a Growth/Nature/Nurture Women’s Social. This year, the program has planned a series of women's social events for this year based on the theme of Growth; Grow your plant (herb gardening) Grow your voice (singing workshop) Grow your food (cooking with grown herbs) Grow your rhythm (dancing workshop) Grow your strength (self defense workshop) Grow your skills (mahjong/Board Gaming) Grow your bonds (relationship related workshop) The workshops build on each other (ie. cooking the herbs in the 3rd social that we grew in the 1st social)! The socials will be on Saturday afternoons and will happen once every six to eight weeks. Our first social, Grow your plant: Herb Gardening took place on Saturday April 30th. The attendees planted herbs such as parsley, mint or basil, learned about ways to take care of the plants and the self, chatted over snacks, and got to take their potted herb home for nurture and growth! Everyone is encouraged to share tips and pics of the growth of your plant on the event's facebook page~☆ As you can see in the photo above, our first "Growth" Series Social Event was a great success! Investing in our Youth   QAY is starting a new individual peer counseling sessions!   Register for confidential and non-judgmental peer support by & [...]

You are cordially invited to the ACAS (Asian Community AIDS Services) Bi-Annual #CelebrAsian When: Friday, May 6, 2016 Time: Reception 6 pm, Dinner 7 pm Where: Dim Sum King Seafood Restaurant, 421 Dundas St. W., 3rd floor Tickets: $60 To purchase, simply click or copy / paste the link below: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/asian-community-aids-services/events/acas-celebrasian-banquet/ Hard copy tickets are also available for purchase at our office location by April 4th. Thank you in advance for your support! See you on May 6! "Supporting our Community, Caring for our Future"     March has been an extremely busy month at ACAS, especially for the Youth!   Take a look to see what exciting events that have taken place this past month!   Queer Yoga Lab QAY is launching a pilot yoga program (supported by ACAS Volunteer Program)! This program is designed to be an open level class from complete beginners to those with more experience. While the sessions will primarily be based around an active physical practice, it may also include meditation, breath-work and philosophy. Details: 6-week program beginning every Wednesday, 6:00pm to 7:30pm, from March 9th to April 13th. •Space for 10 participants: 7 registered spots for those who commit to full 6 week & 3 drop-in spots (must email before to confirm). •Bring your own mat, some mats and props will be provided. •Snacks and drinks provided. Instructor: Minh Toan Minh is a certified Yoga Instructor, completing his training with Karma Teachers, a Vancouver based non-profit yoga studio. He has a strong dedicated practice, with over 5 years experience with multiple yoga styles and knowledge in philosophy, meditation and breath-work. He is dedicated to supporting his students by creating the conditions where they can uniquely grow and develop through the physical conditioning and mental practice of yoga.   “Eat your Rice!” QAY Health Cooking [...]

 YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US AT THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AIDS SERVICES (ACAS)  ‘CELEBRASIAN’ BI-ANNUAL BANQUET DINNER! THIS YEAR WE CELEBRATE THE 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE QUEER ASIAN YOUTH (QAY) INITIATIVE: THE PROGRAM HAS HELPED MORE THAN 200 YOUTH EACH YEAR IN COMING OUT PROCESS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND SPORTS & RECREATION. YOUR CONTRIBUTION AT THE BANQUET WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT US TO CONTINUE OUR WORK WITH ASIAN LGBTIQ+ YOUTH. THE CELEBRATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON: DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 6 AT: DIM SUM KING RESTAURANT (421 DUNDAS ST. W, 3RD FL., WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, 416- 551-3366) RECEPTION (CASH BAR) STARTS AT 6:00 P.M. AND DINNER AT 7:00 P.M. WE HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN US AND 400 OTHER ATTENDEES DELIGHTING IN A CHINESE BANQUET AND ENTERTAINMENT BY LOCAL MUSICAL AND DANCE PERFORMERS! WE WILL ALSO HOST LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS WHERE YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING HOME SOMETHING SPECIAL. PLEASE SUPPORT US BY PURCHASING A REGULAR TICKET OF $60 OR RESERVING A SPONSOR TABLE WITH US.   Tickets can also be purchased online through the link below (simply click or copy/paste): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/asian-community-aids-services/events/acas-celebrasian-banquet/ SPONSORSHIP: A SILVER SPONSOR TABLE IS $1200 FOR 10 GUESTS A GOLD SPONSOR TABLE IS $2000 AUCTION ITEM DONATIONS WILL ALSO HELP SUPPORT OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ALL SPONSORS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED THROUGHOUT THE EVENING AND IN OUR PRINTED PROGRAM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT, OUR ORGANIZATION OR WAYS TO SPONSOR, PLEASE CONTACT: NOULMOOK SUTDHIBHASILP, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT 416-963-4300 EXT. 227. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ACAS OVER THE YEARS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT ‘#CELEBRASIAN’ BANQUET. SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY, CARING FOR OUR FUTURE

February was not only the Lunar New Year, but it was also a Leap Month! ACAS wishes everyone a very Safe, Prosperous, and Sexually Healthy New Year ahead, and that you will have double the fun! 恭賀新禧!                                      Chúc Mừng Năm Mới"!                                새해 복 많이 받으세요! Shine Jiliin Bayariin Mend Hurgeye!                                 迎春!                        Losar-la Tashi Delek!   Welcome James Lee, ACAS Photovoice Project Coordinator! We would like to welcome our latest staff member to join ACAS, James Lee. As the Photovoice Project Coordinator, James will be utilizing his background in digital arts to empower Asians living with HIV through the power of story-telling via photography. Country of Origin: Canada Language(s): English and rudimentary Cantonese How long you have worked at ACAS: I have been involved with ACAS more intensely since 2015! In one sentence, briefly describe what you like about your role/job at ACAS: I get to combine art, outreach and advocacy! Three Likes (it can be anything that you like): Food, Music, Design Comment to site visitor (brief sentence of anything you would like to say to the site visitor or service user): Life is your canvas, make it a masterpiece. (416) 963-4300 ∙ photovoice@acas.org   The ACAS Photovoice Project: The ACAS Photovoice 2016 project is looking to capture and share the realities of what it means to be HIV positive and Asian. Centered around the “Engagement Cascade” and the central key fields of: I Matter, I Belong, I Participate, I Access, I Contribute, and I [...]

Come join us at ACAS for a video shoot to address HIV stigma in our community!   It's simple. Come as you are, stand in front of a camera, and share your anti-stigma message! Date: Thursday, Feb 18, 2016 Time: 2pm to 5pm Location: ACAS (260 Spadina Avenue, Unit 410)  See you @ ACAS!

ACAS would like to wish everyone a very Safe, Prosperous, and Sexually Healthy Lunar New Year!   恭賀新禧! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới"!  새해 복 많이 받으세요! Shine Jiliin Bayariin Mend Hurgeye! 迎春! Losar-la Tashi Delek!   Welcome Volunteers!   ACAS wanted to give our new volunteers a very warm welcome! We thank you for your time and commitment to making ACAS an warm and welcoming home for East/Southeast Asians from the HIV and LGBTQ communities.   Welcome New Staff and Placement Student, Michael and Heidi!   If you have not already met our lovely new Men’s Outreach Worker, Michael Adia, and Master of Social Work placement student from York University, Heidi Cho, please come and say hi to them next time you are at the office! Our Youth Are Our Future!   Have you seen our new series of QAY Poster Campaign?   Listen to the 3 unique stories of queer Asian youth; stories about struggles with bullying, coming out, transitioning, mental health, racism… and how they overcame them.   QAY Discussion Series: Mental Health and Stigma   On Friday, February 5, 2016, Heidi facilitated a QAY Discussion Series on Mental Health and Stigma. The art-based discussion focused on the unique experiences of South East/East Asians, newcomers, young people and members of the LGBTTQIA* community on mental health; how mental health stigma plays out in our families, communities, schools and workplaces; and whether mainstream responses to mental health such as the Bell Talk Campaign and 'positive thinking ' mentality meet the needs of queer Asian youths. Participants were able to leave the workshop with coping strategies they have shared with one another on ways how they may deal with mental health concerns. HUMPDAY: January   Wednesdays can be the hardest day to get through during the week. Now you can [...]

ACAS would like to wish that everyone had a warm and cozy winter holiday and fantastic 2016! As our office re-opens for the new year, we would like to have a quick re-cap of what took place during the month of December, and a few important updates to we would like you to know. Last month, we brought you the update about our successful ACAS Red Ribbon on the Rocket #RR0R15 campaign to raise awareness of World AIDS Day amongst TTC riders. But there is more!   ACAS University of Toronto Mississauga HIV Awareness Campaign! Have you watched the ACAS/University of Toronto Mississauga HIV Awareness Campaign? The video was produced in collaboration with students from University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus. Watch and share the video https://youtu.be/xh9UnZCUi_0, or share the poster from our album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.932484360163893.1073741881.337056206373381&type=1&l=ba6161939d)   Community Collaboration: Getting to Zero HIV/AIDS Forum Following another year of a successful Red Ribbon on the Rocket #RROR15 Campaign on November 30, 2015 in preparation of World AIDS Day, ACAS also took part in the Getting to Zero HIV/AIDS Forum with St. Stephen's Community House, ACT, Toronto Chinese Health Education Committee and Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Network) to raises awareness on the issue of HIV/AIDS that affects people within our community and around the world.  Thanks to Nossa TV Canada, you can see Nancy Sun of St. Stephen’s Community House interviewed at this meaningful event (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2TCyMDZAp4)   Getting ready for the Holidays through Gift-wrapping To prepare for the holiday season, ACAS' Women's Program held an amazingly fun yet practical free Art of Gift Wrapping 101 Social on Wednesday December 16th, 2015. Were you one of the lucky persons who received one or more of the lovely wrapped gifts by our talented group of women program participants? Hope so!   Holiday Parties: [...]

The end of the year is fast approaching! Before we take a break for the Winter holidays, ACAS would like to let you know what has kept us busy the month of November, as well as give you a recap of this year’s World AIDS Day! World AIDS Day 2015   ACAS calls on all Torontonians to Fast-Track to End AIDS with #RROR15 Red Ribbon on the Rocket Campaign Fast-Track to End AIDS is UNAIDS’ theme for World AIDS Day 2015, a strategic approach which calls for countries across the globe to commit to front-load investments to address this worldwide epidemic; pay specific focus on the locations, populations and programs that deliver the greatest impact; standing firm on the protection of human rights; engages local leadership for targeted, sustained and accountable responses; and ensuring that leave no one behind. To raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, ACAS for its second year launched its #RROR15Red Ribbon on the Rocket Campaign. Teams of dedicated volunteers, board members and staff outreached to Torontonians at a number of TTC stations and handed out information pamphlets & red ribbons to on World AIDS Day eve to encourage everyone to wear a red ribbon to help commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1st. (Above photo courtesy of Mingpao). Not only did we give away 2,000 red ribbons, condoms and safer sex informational packages to TTC riders at this year’s outreach, the event was also covered by a number of media outlets including OMNI News Cantonese & Mandarin, DailyXtra, MingPao, and CCVoice. We would also like to thank OMNI News for taping two special interview segments in Cantonese and Mandarin to help promote a greater understanding of HIV within the Asian community. November 2015 in Review   Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Kirby Hsu On Sunday, November 1, 2015, [...]