Promote Health. Build Community. End HIV and AIDS.
Spring has sprung - and so have the sprouts! PYO decorated plant pots during craft night last month and are now growing dill, basil and mother of millions.
May is Mental Health Month
We're celebrating Mental Health month with the announcement of our newly restructured Mental Health Services team! Led by Rafael Torres, our Manager of Mental Health Services, the new department combines Counselling with Group Programs.

Stay tuned for new updates to our groups and counselling offerings. If you're a service user at ACT, tell us what mental health services you'd like to see through the Service User Satisfaction Survey (SUSS).
PYO gets a branding makeover!
Time for a fresh new look!

Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) is a diverse group of young people living with and affected by HIV. It only makes sense that the posters and branding represent what makes PYO so special.

Capturing the support and connection that PYO nurtures, ACT hopes this new branding will show the community what PYO is really about!
If you or someone you know might be interested in PYO, reach out to Marc at pyo@actoronto.org.
Staff Highlight: Meet Vince
Name: Vince Pacilli aka Tina Pipes
Title: Gay Men's Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Coordinator
Astrology Sign: Gemini ♊

Q: What work do you do at ACT?
A: I facilitate community outreach and engagement with GBTQMSM who use drugs. I also facilitate trainings, specifically harm reduction trainings and wellness groups for that population.
Q: What's your favourite part of working at ACT?
A: Honestly, talking with folks out in community. Facilitating trainings that help destigmatize substance use, especially specific to the queer and trans community.
I like it because information is always changing and evolving and also because my job is not only professional but it's also personal and political. I feel a deep connection to it because of that, it aligns with my values.

Q: What do you wish people knew about your work?
A: That I am not encouraging substance use but instead responding to inevitable drug activity. My job is to be a compassionate person to talk to when someone wants assistance in seeking safer ways of using substances or changing their relationship with drugs.
Vince's drag persona: Tina Pipes
Hot tip from Vince:
Substance use vs substance abuse
At ACT, we encourage the term substance use over substance abuse because not everyone's drug habits are chaotic! Recovery and safer use is not always about abstinence, it's about quality of life and keeping you/your community safe and well.
For more information of ACT's Harm Reduction efforts and for volunteering opportunities, reach out to Vince at vpacilli@actoronto.org, or by hitting the button below!
Upcoming Programs and Events
Thanks to the support of the community, ACT can offer a wide range of group supports for people living with and affected by HIV in Toronto. Below is a list of some group programs and events that we are hosting this month. Click below for more information:
 
Good Company Lunch - Thursday May 4, 11, 18, 25
*Our lunch programs have been temporarily moved to ACT's office, please contact Michael for more info at mstoyles@actoronto.org or by calling 416 340 8484 ext 296.

Meet N Eat - Friday May 5, 12, 19, 26
*Our lunch programs have been temporarily moved to ACT's office, please contact Michael for more info at mstoyles@actoronto.org or by calling 416 340 8484 ext 296.

PYO Run Club - May 2, 9, 16, 23



Meth & Sex - May 9


PYO Craft Night - May 11

Mental Health Week – May 15-21



International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – May 17
Stay Connected
Find the most up-to-date info on ACT programs and services as well as HIV, sexual and mental health info on the ACT website. You can also follow ACT on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

As a service user, volunteer, staff member, or donor, we would also love to hear from you. Is there something you'd like to see in the newsletter?
 
Drop us a line at communications@actoronto.org or again, find us on social media at any of the buttons below.