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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 [...]

Here is the latest ACAS report to update you on what's been going on. For more details on our virtual activities and events and how you can get involved, visit the ACAS Facebook at www.facebook.com/AsianCommunityAIDSServices or the events calendar on our website  

Dear ACAS members, supporters, and allies, With deep sorrow, we are informing you of the loss of funding to the ACAS Men's Program. Please read our official letter below for details. If you need further information regarding the funding cut and its impact on ACAS Men’s Program, or wish to support ACAS to save the program, feel free to contact Noulmook Sutdhibhasilp, Executive Director at ed@acas.org or Ryan Tran, Manager of Education and Outreach at men@acas.org any time.  

We are happy to announce that we are running the campaign for the second time. For those who have inquired about it or would like to support us, simply click https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/asian-community-aids-services/events/handcrafted-non-medical-mask-drive-for-acas-support-program/ This Covid19 pandemic has definitely affected a number of not-for-profit agencies and charities including ACAS. 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.     

Asian GBMSM International Students Knowledge Exchange Forum   Are you an international student, or are you someone who works with international students? Then this event is for you! Over the last few months, ACAS has had the opportunity to conduct a community needs assessment with respect to HIV prevention for East and Southeast Asian gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) international students, and we are now excited to be able to share some of our findings to fellow community partners and service providers. We are delighted to invite you to our Online Year-End Knowledge Exchange Forum on June 30th, 2020 from 2:30pm-4:30pm EST (via Zoom)! This event will include an opening testimonial, presentation of our findings, a panel discussion with community members, researchers and service providers to discuss emerging needs from their work with respect to HIV prevention and treatment access, specifically among East and Southeast Asian GBMSM international students. Our goal of this forum is not only to present some of our findings, but to also engage with community members, service providers and other researchers across sectors to generate a conversation about the unique needs of international students while also identifying how we can better support international students, together. Tentative agenda:  2:30-2:40pm - Opening Remarks 2:40-2:55pm - Testimonial: One International Student's Experience in Toronto 2:55-3:20pm - ACAS presentation of findings from the Needs Assessment 3:20-3:40pm - Panelist Introductions and Presentations (ft. Dr. Alan Li, Eugene Nam, Ryan Tran, Sucre Li) 3:40-4:20pm - Panel Discussion & Q&A. 4:20-4:30pm - Wrap up. If you are interested, please sign up in the following Survey Monkey link below. Space will be limited, so please register early! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9FTKCRB We look forward to seeing you at the forum!

CSIH will select up to 25 recipients, each of whom will be provided the grant to cover registration costs for AIDS 2020: Virtual (valued at US$540.00; US$150.00 for student/youth/post-doc). For a full breakdown of registration costs, visit the AIDS 2020: Virtual website . As a part of efforts to secure greater involvement by and meaningfully engage people living with HIV/AIDS, CSIH will be offering grants to individuals fitting the criteria described below.   Application Window Friday, June 12, 2020 – Monday, June 22, 2020 (12:00 pm EDT). Recipients will be notified by Friday, June 26, 2020.   Eligibility To qualify for a Participation Grant, applicants must: Have lived experience with HIV/AIDS (including people living with HIV and people who are engaged in HIV response) Be a Canadian citizen or resident of Canada Be available to attend the AIDS 2020: Virtual from July 6 to 10, 2020.   Evaluation Criteria Participation Grant applications will be assessed for: Demonstration of an affiliation with and/or connection to the HIV community in Canada. Demonstration of tangible benefits from attending AIDS 2020: Virtual, and Capacity to share knowledge gained and lessons learned with a larger community.   Interested applicants should complete the PDF application and return to Priscilla Pangan, Project Officer, at ppangan@csih.org by Monday, June 22, 2020 (12:00 pm EDT).  

Here is the latest ACAS report to update you on what's been going on. If you'd like to be a part of any future programming please don't hesitate getting in touch! Email info@acas.org or any of the program coordinators!

Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) stands in solidarity with Black folks around the world, with the families and communities to which Regis Korchinski-Paquet, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery belonged, and with the many others who were and continue to be victims of unjust policing systems. #BlackLivesMatter Please see the following official statement:

Here is the latest ACAS report to update you on what's been going on. If you'd like to be a part of any future programming please don't hesitate getting in touch! Email info@acas.org or any of the program coordinators!  

Hello everyone, The PROTECH project (Pandemic Rapid-response Optimization to Enhance Community-Resilience and Health) is currently looking for volunteers to help our Chinese Canadian communities. PROTECH is a rapid response community-based action project supported by the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). As the first racialized groups hit by the pandemic, the Chinese Canadians and diasporic communities have experienced increased stigma and racism, further intensifying the vast mental health, economic and social impact shared by the broader Canadian communities. Led by Prof. Josephine P. Wong and Prof. Mandana Vahabi (Ryerson University); Dr. Alan Li (Regent Park Community Health Centre); and Dr. Kenneth P. Fung (University Health Network), PROTECH uses an integrative approach to engage and mobilize real-time responses to reduce the negative psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on Chinese Canadian communities and address the mental health needs of affected service providers in the Greater Toronto Area. PROTECH builds on lessons learned from the SARS pandemic and focuses on the following key activities: Providing an online resource hub to provide accurate information on COVID-19 and practical coping strategies, with live chat support; Providing an online training to promote mental health resilience for directly affected communities and health service providers; Engage in community mobilization to address stigma and racism, and to respond to unmet and emerging needs. With the recent launch of the PROTECH website (www.projectprotech.ca), we need your help getting the word out to your friends, family, and social media connections to ensure that people who need mental health support can access it in timely manner. Furthermore, we need your help to recruit MORE VOLUNTEERS. As the project builds up, there is an increased need for additional volunteers, including live-chat support agents. This is not only a great way to give back and support an important cause, but it can be something you put [...]