Victoria Programs   

Treatment Information and Education - Vancouver Island PWA Society has the only comprehensive and up-to-date HIV/AIDS treatment information library on Vancouver Island.

Please see our Treatment Information link.

We provide information and education through workshops and health fairs in the community.

Complementary and Alternative Therapy Library - The Complementary Therapy Library is a great addition and asset to the Treatment Information Library. With additional minerals and supplements being such an important part of a PWA's health and diet regime, we have added a most comprehensive and diverse collection of Complementary and Alternative Therapy information.

We also provide separate information and education workshops for requested alternative therapies, supplements and herbal remedies.

Peer Support Program - Vancouver Island PWA Society is the only peer based organization on Vancouver Island. Our Peer Support program is the only one of its kind as we take advantage of various other resources to effectively train our peer supporters for diverse circumstances and situations.

We offer Peer Supporters in our office Mon - Fri 11am - 3pm.

We offer Peer Support through outreach at AIDS Vancouver Island's lunch program on Friday's from 10:30am - 1:00pm.

Peer Supporters are also available for outreach and special offsite calls by appointment or prior arrangement.

Peer Suporters are available for outreach calls to Hospitals, Hospice, private homes, or Federal and Provincial Correctional Institutions. Prison visits are strictly by appointment only in order for arrangements to be made at the necessary facility. Prison vists are also only provided on Vancouver Island. For mainland assistance please contact BCPWA (British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society) Prison Outreach Program.

The POP (Prison Outreach Program) line, BCPWA's toll-free telephone hot line at 604-525-8646, has assisted hundreds of inmates with support, counselling and information relating to HIV/AIDS and their incarceration. For further information or to enquire about the programs, please contact the POP Coordinator at 604-893-2283.

Healthy Living Program - is an umbrella program that consists of various projects. All projects under the Healthy Living heading cater to those needs that we can provide or assist with, that refelect HIV+ persons living as healthily as possible.

These include:

Food Certificate Program - Thanks to the generosity of MAC Cosmetics and the MAC AIDS Fund we are able to supply Food Certificates monthly to those HIV + members only that are eligible for the program. Monthly we provide over 50 certificates to those persons in need and living with HIV/AIDS in our communities. Additional certificates are included for thsoe HIV+ members with  spouses and/or dependants.

Transportation Assistance Program - Through this program we are able to provide assistance to those who are living on a low income/disability allowance. We provide funding for the Annual Disability Bus Pass to ensure that those HIV+ individuals are able to make their Doctors appointments and counselling sessions as required or as necessary. For those that are not eligible for the Annual Bus Pass Program we provide Bus Tickets to assist them in attending their appointments.

Emermency Assistance/ Hospital Fund - Those persons living with compromised immune systems often find themselves, without notice, in a hospital for a length of time. More often than not this takes place mid month for those on a limited income who have spent their funds for the month on groceries and utilities at their home do not have extra funds to assist them whn a crisis like this arises.This fund is a small fund that will assist those individuals with immediate needs such as hygiene materials, toothbrushes, paste,comb, brush, etc. As well as slippers, pajamas, shampoo,and magazines. Many times PWA's find themselves in an isolation room due to their condition or their immediate ailment. As these stays are mostly lengthy and lonely stays, we have provided a telephone and/or television for these individuals to allow them continued contact with their families and support network.

PozAble Living Program- Thanks to the generous support of PECSF, (Provincial Employees Community Sevice Fund), The PozAble Living Program is a program that supports healthy lifestyle choices through social and physical activities.

These include:

Monthly Social activities such as Easter Social, Halloween, Christmas Party's, and Special Socials such as Birthday celebrations, Volunteer Appreciation Party's, and New Year's in July.

Some of the more physical outings include trips to French Beach, BBQ's in the park, Night's out at the Movie's, trips to Butchart Gardens, hikes to Mt. Doug, a tour of the Titanic Exhibition and the Royal BC Museum, bowling nights, etc.

Living & Learning  Program-The Living and Learning program consists of a project whereby members can apply to access funds in order to organize an outing or gathering. It must be peer based and must includ at least 5 other members. This is an excellent opportunity to assist those members in building peer support networks supporting our organizations' philosophy and mission.

Mindful Mentor Program-Vancouver Island PWA Society takes part in and is a part of, The Mindful Mentor Program. Through this program trained mentors are matched with those in need and assist them for a set period of time or until that match feels they are no longer in need of a mentor. Mentors agree by contract, with their training to take part in a one year committment to provide mentorship to others in the community.

For more information on this mentorship program, please contact our office or contact Sally Ross, Mentorship Program Coordiantor, The REES Network, at 250-595-8619 in Victoria. The REES Network is a program of Victoria Cool Aid Society.

Link to Victoria Cool Aids Society  www.coolaid.org