SUPPORT SERVICES
become a member
Are you an HIV positive woman over 16 years of age, living in the province of Ontario?
Want to become a member of Voices of Positive Women?
Our programs and services are free and there is no charge for membership.
For more information, contact our Support Coordinator.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR MEMBERS
Download our programs and services brochure
Contact our Support Coordinator for information about all the services listed below unless otherwise indicated.
OUR INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT
By phone or in person, talk to our support worker about your issues and get some ideas about how to tackle your challenges. She will direct you to the best resources for the services you need that are available in your community and remain in touch with you.
OUR PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
GTA
Two support groups are currently run once a month in the Toronto area, one in partnership with Hassle Free Clinic and the other with Positive Youth Outreach. They provide an opportunity to meet other positive women and discuss your concerns in a caring and confidential atmosphere. Our support worker will give you further details. Limited subsidies for transportation and child care are available to help you attend these events.
TELELINK - TELEPHONE SUPPORT GROUP
| Once a month, HIV positive women from all across Ontario get together for educational talks and support through this facilitated long-distance teleconference. Phone no. (416) 324-8703 or toll-free number 1-800-293-0961 |  |
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OUR PROVINCIAL PEER NETWORK
Peer Mentors are women living with HIV/AIDS across Ontario who have been trained through VOPW’s Provincial Peer Network Program to help you. They can provide HIV-related support, information and referrals and work with other HIV+ women in their communities. Trained Peer Mentors are also available to offer workshops and training for women living with HIV in Ontario and service providers. Our Mentors are from various places across the province and are currently working to expand our program.
If you would like to be connected to a mentor or you would like to train as a mentor or if you’d like info on training and development workshops for members and staff, please
contact our Peer Network Coordinator.
HEALTHY VOICES – OUR NURSING CLINIC
Our Healthy Voices nursing clinic happens twice a month. Voices members can talk with a nurse about any health concerns you are having and the group can share strategies and stories together. Telephone access to the nurse is also available for women who are out of town.
OUR ANNUAL HEALING RETREAT
Women living with HIV/AIDS love this weekend-long opportunity to leave their day-to-day stress behind for a weekend of relaxation, information-sharing and peer support. This annual tradition is done In partnership with AIDS Committee of Toronto and is offered for HIV positive women from around the province. Space is limited and offered first to women who have not attended before. Any staff member at Voices can provide you with more information, so please come join us for what has become an annual tradition here at Voices.
ANDREA RUDD TREATMENT FUND
Named for one of the founders of VOPW, this fund allowed member to obtain, every two months, either a standard package of supplements selected for their role in enhancing immune health or reimbursement for a complementary therapy, such as massage, aromatherapy. However, this fund is temporarily suspended. Pls. see the notice below for more information.
IMPORTANT TREATMENT FUND NOTICE
Dear Member
As you might be aware, MAC AIDS Fund generously supported Voices’ Andrea Rudd Treatment Fund for the past several years. It was this funding that allowed us to provide supplement packages and supplement/complementary therapy reimbursements to our members.
MAC AIDS Fund recently changed their funding criteria, and the Andrea Rudd Treatment Fund is no longer eligible. We are urgently seeking new funding sources so that the program can continue. Unfortunately, we have not yet found replacement funding.
We regret to announce that, until we secure new financial support, we must suspend the Andrea Rudd Treatment Fund. This means that we will not be able to provide supplement packages or reimbursements until further notice.
We know that the Treatment Fund is important to you and other Voices’ members. We are doing our best to ensure that the program will be renewed. We want to let you know that even with new financial support, it is possible that the Treatment Fund might undergo some changes. For example, if we get less money than we used to receive, we will have to make some difficult decisions. This could mean providing smaller reimbursements, giving out fewer vitamins, or only offering the service to women who are unable to afford supplements/ therapies and do not have alternative resources. We hope we will not have to make these tough choices, but we want to give you a ‘heads up’ just in case.
We welcome any suggestions you might have to help us get the Treatment Fund up and running again. If you, your family, friends or businesses you know are able to make a donation (money, vitamins, complementary therapies) we would be thrilled! Contact Kara, Executive Director, (416) 324-8703 ext 22 OR 1-800-263-0961 with any ideas or donations.
In the meantime, we have put together a partial list of resources you can use to get supplements and/or complementary therapies. Please contact Kaddu, Support Services Coordinator, if you need information or assistance accessing these or other services: (416) 324-8703 ext 32 OR 1-800-263-0961. We have included resources from a range of regions, but were not able to compile a complete list. If your area is not listed below, please call Kaddu and she’ll help you out.
PROVINCIAL
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): There are several programs available for people on ODSP. The Special Diet Allowance provides up to $250/month for special food (including vitamins). Extended Health Benefits offers some coverage to people living with a disability who are working (conditions apply). Vision Care Benefits and Hearing Benefits are available to ODSP recipients as well. To find out more information or to get assistance accessing these and other ODSP benefits, contact Kaddu, our Support Services Coordinator. Please contact us even if you have been denied ODSP benefits in the past.
REGIONAL
Guelph
The AIDS Committee of Guelph and Wellington County offers complementary therapies such as massage, cranio-sacral and naturopathy to PWAs in their area. They are sometimes able to help you access vitamins too. Contact Irene (who is also the Chair of Voices’ Board!) at 519-763-2255 x126.
Hamilton
The AIDS Network offers a variety of complementary therapies (massage, yoga, etc.) and vitamin supplements to PWAs in their area (Halton, Holderman, Norfolk and Brant Counties). Not all therapies are always available. Contact Rob, Support Services Director, at (905) 528-0854.
Kingston
HIV/AIDS Regional Services sometimes has vitamin supplements and/or $20 vouchers. Contact (613) 545-3698.
London
Nutritional supplements are often available through the AIDS Committee of London’s food bank. Contact (519) 434-1601.
North Bay
AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area offers vitamin supplements to PWAs in their area. Massage therapy and a weekly food/nutrition supplement of $20 are also available. Contact Jennifer, Executive Director, at (705) 497-3560.
Ottawa
OASIS is a medical clinic that can occasionally offer vitamins. Contact (613) 569-3488.
Sault Saint Marie
The PHA Fund is available to PWAs in Sault Saint Marie and can assist with medical and nutritional needs. Contact Craig, Support Services Worker, at (705) 256-2437.
Simcoe County
AIDS Committee of Simcoe County offers vitamins and massage to PWAs in their area. Contact (705) 722-6778.
Sudbury
Access AIDS Network Sudbury’s The Living Well fund is available to PWAs in Sudbury and can assist with medical and nutritional needs. Contact Sylvie, Support Services Coordinator, at (705) 688-0500.
Thunder Bay
AIDS Thunder Bay offers yoga/relaxation sessions, chiropractics and Healing Touch for PWAs in their area. Contact Carrie at (807) 345-1516 ext 16. For vitamins, contact Janet at (807) 345-1516 ext 30.
Toronto
Toronto PWA Foundation offers vitamins to PWAs in the GTA. Priority is given to PWAs who have not received vitamins in the last few months. Call Llewellyn, Treatment Access Coordinator, at (416) 506-8606 ext 639 or, if you are already a client, contact your Case Manager. They also offer yoga, Reiki, shiatsu and massage. Contact Kevin, Programs Coordinator, at (416) 506-8606 ext 633. TPWAF also runs a Community Naturopathic Clinic in partnership with Sherbourne Health and other organizations. Contact (416) 324-4180.
Voices continues to offer a monthly naturopathic clinic to our members in Toronto. The clinic runs the first Wednesday of each month. Sessions are one hour and are by appointment. Contact Precious, Peer Network Coordinator, at 416-324-8703 ext 26.
Windsor
AIDS Committee of Windsor offers reflexology and massage as well as supplements to PWAs in their area. Contact Lori, PHA and Harm Reduction Services Director, at (519) 973-0222 ext 29.
FYI – OUR NEWSLETTER
Our bi-monthly newsletter, “FYI”, provides information on issues facing HIV+ women, community resources and events, current treatments for HIV, new developments at Voices and provides positive images of women living with HIV. The newsletter is available to read and download from this website or can be mailed to members (free) or other interested individuals, and agencies etc. (small subscription charge). Each issue has a theme with contributions from members, and others with expert knowledge. For mroe information, please contact Meskerem Tebeje, community partnerships co-ordinator at 416 324-8703x 27 or mtebeje@vopw.org
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
VOPW has links with other AIDS service organizations, community health centers, public health units, aboriginal organizations, and women's services across Ontario. We use our contacts and partnerships to share, expand and develop resources and to create a community for positive women in the province to more easily control and access services. We provide expert knowledge and training to communities anywhere in Ontario on issues that affect women living with HIV from easily accessing services.
For further information
contact our Community Partnerships Coordinator.
PROVINCIAL SKILLS BUILDING WORKSHOP
Voices staff work with our local community partners to coordinate workshops for HIV positive women around the province on women’s healing, health, treatment and community building issues. To find out where the next workshop will be or to help plan a workshop, Meskerem Tebeje, community partnerships co-ordinator at 416 324-8703x 27 or mtebeje@vopw.org
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Along with important business including election of our board of directors and committee members, the annual general meeting provides a lively forum for our members. Come out and take part in the direction of Voices programs, services, and the future of our organization. Hear back on all Voices activities and committees. Meet all the Voices staff and help them plan for the following year and make our programs even better. Make new friends and meet other members from all over Ontario and from every type of life experience. Attend exciting and informative workshops and activities. Become part of one of Voices committees for the coming year or run for the Voices Board as well as cast your vote on new board members for the organization.
The Board of Directors is elected each year at our AGM, held in the fall. Orientation and training for board members is provided following the AGM. If you are interested in joining the board,
contact Voices’ Executive Director.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Volunteers are a vital part of how we deliver our programs and services. Members are encouraged to explore volunteer opportunities with Voices of Positive Women. Member volunteers can become peer mentors, members of committees and our board of directors. Along with other volunteers they can assist at our office, with children's activities, outreach, fundraising and special events etc. For further details visit the
Volunteer page.
Charitable Reg. No: 89267 4847 RR0001 Date of Incorporation: July 24, 1992
Designed and Maintained by Voices of Positive Women. All rights reserved.