HIV Edmonton

HIV Edmonton supports people living with, and affected by HIV and AIDS by: developing educational resources for community organizations, healthcare professionals and the general public; developing and delivering prevention, health promotion and support programs; and providing a voice for people living with, and affected by HIV and AIDS through our work with local, provincial and national organizations on policy development, health strategy and program design.

With this funding, HIV Edmonton aims to strengthen HIV Edmonton's Food Security program which is a pivotal part of our program and service offerings at HIV Edmonton. The program is multi-faceted and addresses food insecurity through different approaches as not all our community members' needs are the same.

At HIV Edmonton, we understand the importance of food to the wellness of our clients and we ensure that they have access to food through the distribution of monthly food hampers, grocery cards as well as our Collective Kitchen program where our clients build connections, while cooking together. This funding will help us extend food access to more people

The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) is a not-for-profit charitable organization that supports children, youth, and adults who have experienced sexual abuse or assault, and educates the public about sexual violence. Founded in 1975, we are the only agency in the greater Edmonton region that provides a full suite of sexual violence services to people of any age, gender, sexual orientation, and cultural background at no-fee. Our core activities include crisis support; adult, child and youth, and group counselling; police and court support; support and information phone, text and chat lines; public education; and advisory consultation with groups and agencies undertaking their own prevention efforts. Our vision is a community where people impacted by sexual violence feel believed and are offered caring guidance to heal, and, further, that the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a community free of sexual violence are developed and sustained.

refleQT is a closed, 14-week group counselling program (running over 15 weeks with one break week) designed for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults of all genders who have experienced sexual abuse and/or assault, as children or as adults. The group is facilitated by two SACE counsellors, who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. While the program’s main focus is on supporting processing and healing from sexual trauma, it also provides an opportunity for participants to connect with other people from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to share experiences around sexual assault and healing. This group seeks to provide a space for queer folks to feel safe, connected, understood, validated, and ultimately, to build community through healing. SACE offers this group either online or in-person, with an understanding of the various barriers that exist with accessing either option; for example, limited internet access, transportation access, and risks to using public transportation for safety reasons. Rather than incorporating an intersectional approach, refleQT has intersectionality and equity imbedded in the framework of the program. 

Outcomes of the refleQT program include participants experiencing a reduction of trauma symptoms, increased coping strategies, reduced feelings of isolation, and an enhanced sense of community belonging. Importantly, refleQT offers a safe and affirming environment where 2SLGBTQIA+ survivors can build skills for long-term healing, amongst a group of peers on similar healing journeys.