Community Education Program
AIDS Niagara’s mandate is to provide “Support – Education – Advocacy”.
Every program and every position at AIDS Niagara involves an educational component. HIV infection is preventable. Under normal conditions we can protect ourselves from becoming infected by taking precautions, reducing our risk, improving our self-esteem, and learning as much as we can about HIV transmission and AIDS.
Education is the key in stopping the spread of this virus. Until people learn more about it, HIV will continue to infect more individuals and remain a problem in our communities.
Changing Behaviours
In order for people to change their behaviour and protect themselves from becoming infected with HIV four things must be in place:
- An understanding of how HIV is and isn’t transmitted
- An acknowledgement that you could be at risk of HIV infection if you engage in risky behaviour
- The knowledge of how to reduce or eliminate your risk of infection
- The belief that by reducing the risk, certain activities are still enjoyable
Understanding
Not only does understanding about HIV infection protect you, it also means that you will be able to cope better and be more supportive if someone you care about has HIV or becomes infected. Much of the negative attitude towards people living with this disease has been the result of fear, and most fear comes from lack of knowledge. By learning how HIV is and isn’t transmitted, and recognizing that anyone is at risk of HIV infection if they engage in certain activities, that fear can be replaced by compassion, understanding and support.
Services
- Pamphlets, handouts and other information
- Presentations and workshops about HIV
- In-service training
- Distribution of prevention materials
In-Service Training
People living with HIV or AIDS may also need help with other community services; ie. housing, financial assistance, legal services, employment help, addictions services, counselling, etc.
In some cases, service providers working within these organizations, may not be educated or fully informed about HIV. They may have fears or misconceptions about the transmission of HIV, or about people who are living with HIV. A belief in the myths and stereotypes surrounding HIV and AIDS may affect the way in which they provide service to their clients who are infected.
Topics and Issues
AIDS Niagara can come to your workplace, school or
organization and speak to your staff, volunteers, students,
members, or service users.
We will provide accurate and informative education about HIV, AIDS and other issues:
- AIDS Niagara - our services, programs and history
- Basic HIV/AIDS Info - what it is; how you contract the virus; testing info
- Health Information – opportunistic infections, treatment information, complementary therapies, emotional well-being
- Risk Reduction – safer sex; safe needle use; universal precautions; negotiating safer sex
- Psycho-Social Issues – living with HIV; how people are affected; society’s response
- Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation – how attitudes have impacted on society and people with HIV/AIDS
- Caregivers – caring for someone with HIV/AIDS, basic palliative care; the affect on families and friends
- Specific Communities – HIV/AIDS and: women/men/youth/injection drug users/children/gay/bisexual/sex-trade workers/ transgendered
- Specific Issues – HIV/AIDS and: addictions/mental health/sex-trade/human rights/health care/ ethical considerations/ workplace and employment Community Education Program
For more information
Contact Jody Yurchuk at
905-984-8684 ext.114
or email her at
