‘A March To Equalize’ calling attention to the HIV and AIDS epidemic

World AIDS Day 2022 – Inter-agency Activities

Join the activities to EQUALIZE this World AIDS Day 2022.

In keeping with this, AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) across Toronto have combined our efforts to observe this important day by doing a series of joint activities as follows:

The Laying of the Black Rose (Thursday, 1 December 2022 at 11:30 AM) at the AIDS Memorial. Each member agency will have the opportunity to lay a rose in memory of somebody who has transitioned due to HIV AIDS complications. This will take place at the AIDS Memorial in Barbara Hall Park, behind the 519 Community Centre. That will be immediately followed by The Interagency March.

The Interagency March (Thursday, 1 December 2022 at 12:00 PM) will begin at the AIDS Memorial and make its way down Church Street to culminate at the YMCA. Each agency will bring sign boards and messages reflecting their interpretation of “Equalize”. That will be immediately followed by An Indigenous Feast.

An Indigenous Feast (Thursday, 1 December 2022 at 1:30 PM) will follow at the YMCA Central at 20 Grosvenor St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2V5 which will pay tribute to persons living with HIV across all generations.

Film Screening Following the feast, we will be screening “Walking in These Shoes”, a short film on the tragic death of Derek Yee who was a racialized man living HIV and a long-time advocate for the rights of persons living with HIV. He gave his all for the community and supporting PHAs.

International World AIDS Day 2022 Message

As we celebrate the progress we have made in HIV prevention and treatment among gay and bisexual men, we must also acknowledge the challenges we still face. Racism, poverty, stigma, and homophobia serve as barriers to care and prevention, and continue to drive inequities that cause gay and bisexual men—particularly African Caribbean Black (ACB) men—to be overrepresented in the HIV epidemic.

We continue to work together during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent MPX (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak, we strengthen our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic by expanding HIV testing, prevention, and treatment, and reducing HIV stigma. To succeed, we will need to increase efforts supporting ACB gay and bisexual men, who bear the greatest burden of new HIV infections. The disruption of traditional HIV testing services over the last 2 years has made self-testing a great option for some people to take an HIV test, learn their status, and get the benefits of today’s prevention and treatment tools. In March 2021, GetaKit by Black CAP was launched in to deliver HIV self-tests to ACB men seeking HIV testing, with marketing focused on gay and bisexual men. These men who know their HIV status, positive or negative, can take steps to keep themselves healthy. If their test is negative, they can be linked to prevention services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). If their test is positive, they can be linked to care and start treatment to keep themselves healthy and prevent transmission to their sexual partners. This “status neutral” approach facilitates the integration of prevention and treatment services so that both become part of the fabric of comprehensive primary care and address the needs of the whole person while mitigating HIV-related stigma.

Antiretroviral therapy, especially early initiation of treatment, significantly reduces the transmission of HIV to sexual partners. When men living with HIV are not diagnosed, do not start on HIV treatment or fail to remain on treatment, it jeopardizes not only their own health, but also the well-being and prospects of their partners, households, extended families and communities. The failure to reach greater numbers of men with HIV testing and early treatment, combined with the limited impact that other prevention interventions have on the risk of men acquiring or transmitting HIV, is driving ongoing cycles of HIV transmission in high-prevalence settings. One of the most effective tools we have to address ongoing challenges in HIV prevention is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Unfortunately, not everyone who can benefit from PrEP has access to it. Current PrEP data reflect racial and regional disparities driven by structural challenges such as stigma, racism, and mistrust in the healthcare system. Improving the utilization of HIV prevention, testing and treatment services by ACB men and adolescent boys is a complex but feasible challenge.

As partners in HIV prevention, we each play an essential role in ending HIV in this country. Our commitment and ongoing work can reduce stigma, ensure health equity, and raise awareness about HIV testing, prevention, and treatment. Its success also depends on a holistic approach to the various parts of the syndemic, including STIs, viral hepatitis, substance use and mental health disorders, stigma and discrimination, and social and structural determinants of health. Each community and stakeholder brings a unique perspective and plays a critical role in preventing and responding to HIV.

Together we can make a difference.

Garfield Durrant (He/Him/His)
Men’s Prevention Specialist (Lead)

ACB Trans/Non Binary Employment Network

Are you an ACB Trans or Nonbinary Youth? Are you in need of Employment? Join Black CAP’s Trans and Non-Binary Youth Networking Employment Event. Seek opportunities, make connections and network with friendly employers!

2 pm – 5 pm | Friday | 02 Dec. 2022

Click to Register

Trans Day of Remembrance

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Thur, 17 Nov 2022, 20 Victoria Street, Downtown Toronto

A Day to remember and a moment to reflect. Black trans brothers and sisters, join Black Cap in a ceremony of commemorating the countless trans lives that have been lost. We will remember, we will come together, and we will honour them.

See you there..

What’s The T’ with Kitanya

Let’s engage in an interactive discussion on how the T fits into LGBTQIA+. How to support trans friends, peers, students, and colleagues. Various transgender identities and pronouns include Q&A and ask me anything sessions.

Volunteer your Design & Media skills!

Black CAP is currently seeking individuals skilled in Graphic Design and Media Editing. This volunteer will have the opportunity to flex their graphic/media skills by creating promotional materials for the several monthly Black CAP programs we provide to our African, Caribbean, and Black community. They provide communications support to the entire organization while supporting the achievement of its long-term and short-term strategic marketing and communications goals, and its fund development goals.

GRAPHIC/MEDIA DESIGNER DUTIES:

Supports the creation and refreshing of print, digital, web, and other online communications and marketing promotional materials.
Including but not limited to social media and other advertisements, toolkits, handbooks, brochures, year book, info brochures, event invitations, web pages, annual report, merchandise, incentives, PowerPoint pitch decks or other fundraising or sponsorship solicitations, stewardship reports or other assets in support of the development objectives.
Contributes to conceptualizing the organization’s new brand – telling its story and expressing the brand visually.
Contributes meaningfully to paid and organic digital marketing strategies, while also developing compelling visual assets that complement those strategies.
Provides design support for other departments, sub-brands, and other general branding initiatives, as required, including supporting the creation of self-serve assets.

GRAPHIC/MEDIA DESIGNER SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to work with Adobe Creative Suite (and/or other relevant industry-standard design software)
Graphic Design Skills Layout Skills, Creative Services, Customer Focus, Creativity, Flexibility, Attention to Detail, Deadline-Oriented, Desktop Publishing Tools, Acute Vision, Handles Rejection.
Time Commitment: approx. X hours a week
Understanding of digital marketing and design trends
Understanding of the core principles of print, digital, video, and web design
Strong understanding of the elements of design layout and typography
Proficiency in Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Ability to multitask and prioritize
Demonstrated commitment to volunteering
Illustrates concept by designing rough layout of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type size and style, and related aesthetic concepts.

HOW TO APPLY
Please send an introductory email to volunteer@black-cap.com, along with samples of the graphic/media design work you’ve done in the past 3 – 5 years.

Annual General Meeting | AGM 2021/22

The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention invites you to join us virtually for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2021/22. Our AGM 2021/22 will be held on

Thursday, 17 November 2022, 6 PM – 8 PM.

Pre-registration is required to attend. Please register early.

Click to Register.

Intake and Mental Health Coordinator

Position Type: Outreach

Supervised by: Mental Health and Direct Services Manager

Salary Range: $49,000 -$52,000

Days per week: 5 (37.5 hours per week)

Department: Outreach/Prevention

Years of Experience: 1 year

The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) is a non-profit, community-based organization that serves Toronto’s diverse African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities. The mission of the agency is to reduce the transmission of HIV within Toronto’s Black communities while enhancing the quality of life of those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Our approach to services recognizes that holistic approaches are required as we work with people who are living with, or at risk for, HIV. Black CAP is an inclusive space that provides services to a diverse ACB population that includes newcomers, LGBTQ communities, youth, and other at-risk populations. Operating in downtown Toronto, we are supported by a broad range of government and foundation funders. As an employer we also offer competitive compensation, a comprehensive health benefits plan, an Employee Assistance Program, annual RRSP contributions and access to a wellness program. To learn more visit us at www.blackcap.ca or on social media (Facebook and Twitter) at @BlackCAPTO.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an intake and mental health coordinator responsible for managing our intake processes at Black CAP and supporting our mental health services and referral process es. This individual has a background and/ or education in mental health and support services along with experience operating from a trauma informed lens and harm reduction ap They are comfortable working with folks from varying backgrounds and experiences and are passionate about supporting the ACB community.

The Coordinator will be responsible for client intakes and assessments, coordinating workshops and groups, and providing system navigation support. They will work collaborating with other members of Black CAP’s support team and other Black CAP staff and volunteers to achieve the objectives of the program/ mission of Black CAP.

* Please note that we strongly encourage candidates from Toronto’s African, Caribbean or Black communities who bring lived and/or employment experience in relation to mental health and harm reduction. We also strongly encourage applicants who are living with HIV to consider this role.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Assessing the needs of clients received from the community, counselling, advising and/ or referring to other services, agencies or programs and developing strategies for
Providing system navigation supports and identifying appropriate referrals to complementary programming based on a determinants of health framework.
Maintain knowledge of existing and emerging services for ACB PHAs and develops service relationships with relevant organizations.
Providing mental health supportive counselling for clients where
Referring clients to Black CAP’s registered
Entering data into Black CAP’s data collection
Conducting appropriate follow-up and complete monthly/ annual reports
Representing the agency on appropriate community networks and working in conjunction with other agencies and community groups to coordinate/facilitate the delivery of services.
Participating as a team member on the delivery of other activities in the Support
Attend and participate in bi-weekly staff meetings and team
Other duties as

We are seeking an individual with the following qualifications:

Firm understanding of mental health and harm reduction practices within ACB
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs and sexual health issues and the impact of HIV/AIDS in Toronto’s ACB communities with excellent skills and knowledge of community resources and supports.
Comfort facilitating groups and presenting to
Ability to enter accurate information into data collection websites in a timely
Demonstrated ability delivering intensive, short-term counselling and support services to Black HIV positive and/or LGBTQ folks in crisis, helping them to address their specific challenges, and referring and supporting them to access required services.
Experience researching effective strategies and models for peer-based programming for individuals and groups to inform program delivery.
Experience providing system navigation supports and identifying appropriate referrals to complimentary programming based on a determinants of health framework
Ability to work and operate in an environment using anti-racism and anti-oppression
Ability to accept feedback and take initiative as well as work independently and cooperatively with staff and volunteers in a culturally diverse environment.
- Strong written and oral communication
- Self-motivated and able to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a positive and friendly attitude as you deal with multiple personalities, projects and
- Knowledge of MS Office (Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point), internet and email are
- Willingness to work flexible hours including weekdays, evenings and
- The ability to speak a language other than English is an asset
- This is a bargaining unit position reporting to the Mental Health and Direct Services

The position is subject to a 3-month probationary period. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Deadline for applications: September 30th 2022

Please forward resume and cover letter to:

Daniella Leacock

20 Victoria St., 4th Floor

email: hiring@black-cap.com

Youth Outreach Worker (Temporary Temp replacement – 11 months)

Position Type: Support

Supervised by: Mental Health and Direct Services Manager

Salary Range: $60,000-$65,000

Days per week: 5 (37.5 hours per week)

Department: Support

Years of Experience: 1 year

The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit, community-based organization. The mission of the agency is to reduce the spread of HIV infection within Toronto’s Black communities while enhancing the quality of life of those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. We work in partnership with organizations and individuals who support in principle and practice our mission, philosophy and activities.

Position Summary:

Black CAP’s Youth Outreach Program is a multi-agency outreach initiative for at-risk Black HIV-positive, queer, questioning and Trans youth aged 12-25. The Program will provide individualized and group supports to youth and their families/caregivers to address the impact of violence, HIV stigma, transphobia, homophobia, anti-Black racism and other determinants of health such as homelessness, substance use, mental health, etc. The Program will include counselling and support services approaches that incorporate Afro-centric, rites of passage, resiliency and stages of change frameworks. The Program will also actively engage HIV-positive and LGBTQ Black youth using a collaborative, person-centred approach grounded in trauma-informed practice.

The Program is funded through the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan’s Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (EYOW) program. EYOW services build resiliency from a culturally specific model and achieve outcomes related to reducing the impact of homophobia/transphobia and HIV stigma among Black youth.

EYOWs work with Black youth to develop and enhance their identity, culture and sense of belongingness to their community as a protective factor in their movement through the Stages of Change. EYOWs act as mentors, promote broader opportunities and supports for youth within communities, and advocate for the improvement of access to youth services. More specifically, EYOWs:

Help youth and their families to identify and articulate their
Support youth through an evidenced-based process to make positive changes in their
Raise awareness about, and access to, local prevention and intervention resources through information-sharing and referrals that respond to individual needs and risk factors and reinforce
Foster communication and link ages among community agencies/organizations to improve access and reduce barriers to services and supports.

Please note that this maternity leave position that requires a Master’s of Social Work or Counselling Psychology or equivalent and certification/membership in a registered professional association for practitioners in clinical therapy. In addition, we strongly encourage applicants who are members to Toronto’s African, Caribbean or Black communities to apply. We also strongly encourage applicants who are living with HIV to consider this role.