BLACK COALITION FOR AIDS PREVENTIONPrevention Program
HIV related stigma and silence play a key role in why rates of infection among youth and adults in ACB communities are disproportionately higher. ACB people are many times more likely to be living with HIV than white Canadians and more than 2/3rds of all women living with HIV in Toronto are ACB.
The Black CAP Prevention Program aims to build partnerships in order to create safe spaces for members of the African, Caribbean, Black (ACB) community to participate in culturally sensitive dialogue around their HIV/AIDS, STI risk, sexual health and healthy relationships. The Program works to reach youth (under 29) and adults (30+).
Our Prevention Program is guided by objectives:
- To deliver HIV prevention information to the community and service providers that serve ACB communities
- To work with the community to develop relevant HIV prevention programs that are community-based, culturally appropriate and reflect the realities of risk
- To research the current challenges that ACB communities in Toronto are facing with respect to effective HIV prevention and risk and develop programming
- To collaborate with community partners to deliver prevention programming in Toronto’s ACB communities
Black CAP’s Prevention Program:
- Offers workshops and presentation meant to empower people to make safer choices, reduce HIV related stigma, sexual health, healthy relationships and HIV/AIDS related sigma and discrimination
- Develop and deliver programming such as the Healthy Relationships program for HIV positive youth and the Youth Support Group for HIV positive and affected youth
- Advocacy to engage institutions and community stakeholders in HIV related prevention education
- Referrals to HIV testing, community supports, etc.
- Participate in networks such as the African Caribbean Council on HIV and AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO), etc.
- Condom distribution
To request a workshop or to invite us to do outreach at your event please click here.
Community members are always welcome to join the Prevention Team. The program relies heavily on the support of volunteers to conduct outreach and education. HIV knowledge is not a requirement and training is provided for all volunteers.
This program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care – AIDS Bureau
Garfield Durrant
Prevention Specialist (Lead)
Phone: 416-977-9955, ext.248
Email: g.durrant@black-cap.com
Mary Yehdego
Prevention Coordinator
Phone: 416-977-9955, ext. 228
Email: wprevention@black-cap.com
