JUNE 2026

Hey love!

Indigenous

History Month

and

Pride Month

We hope you are blessed and safe as you celebrate.

In this newsletter:

AIDS Candlelight Vigil

High Tea

Free Lunch

Become a Volunteer!

Essentials Market

HIV Care with freddie

Catch a Movie

Pet Care

Self Care

Hetero Men

Try the PINK One

Living with HIV

Meth & Sex

HIV Buddies

- and more -

Here's the update on everything happening at

163 Queen Street East

and community partners.

We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Share Feedback About This Newsletter

Free

Lunch

Monday - Friday

Noon - 2:00 PM

163 Queen Streat East

First Floor

Who doesn't love a FREE home-cooked meal?

Expand your social network

make new friends and catch up with long-time friends.

Get updates on what is going on at 163 Queen Street East.

Meet Mary

& George

Kitchen

Volunteers

Mary moved from Nairobi, Kenya to Canada. She is currently living in Toronto and volunteering at PWA. Mary works in the kitchen department, preparing and serving meals. She finds the role highly satisfying, noting that cooking is a familiar passion she also practiced back home.

George, Mary's husband, is a professional chef and volunteers alongside her. The couple shows a high level of dedication, coming in to support the kitchen 3 to 4 times per week.

For Mary and George, volunteering functions as a shared hobby and forms a core part of their plans. Their ultimate dream is to one day establish a similar organization to support unhoused folks and others in need.

Thanks for the (tasty) work you do, Mary and George! Well done!

Essentials

Market

Wednesdays

2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thursdays

2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Fridays

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

163 Queen Streat East

Second Floor

The Essentials Market program continues to be a vital source of support for hundreds of community members each week. Through the dedication of our volunteers and staff, we are able to provide access to nutritious food, essential household items, and a sense of community and care. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected support system for those who rely on our services.

HIV Care

Clinic

Every Wednesday

10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

in partnership with freddie

Immigration

Drop-In

Clinic

Every Thursday

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

163 Queen Street East

Second Floor

Men of Courage

Men of Courage is a community of heterosexual men aged 40 and above, united by a shared commitment to personal growth, mutual support, and collective well‑being. We believe that every man deserves a safe, empowering space to connect, reflect, and thrive.

Our Purpose

We exist to foster the growth and development of every member—socially, emotionally, medically, mentally, and spiritually. Life presents challenges, and no man should face them alone. Men of Courage provides a brotherhood where support is real, consistent, and meaningful.

Our Activities

We meet once a month to discuss issues that affect us individually and as a group. These gatherings create opportunities to:



• Strengthen bonds through open conversation
• Share experiences and solutions
• Support one another through life’s transitions
• Build confidence, resilience, and purpose

Beyond discussions, we also socialize and unwind through games, group outings, and shared meals. Our monthly lunch gatherings help us deepen friendships and enjoy time together outside formal meetings.

For more information or to register please email Peter

Free!

Therapeutic

Care Clinics

Student Clinic appointments are for PWA Members only. One booking at a time, please.

We ask that you confirm appointments when you receive a reminder or please let us know if you are unable to attend.

Speciality Clinics Available upon request:

Dental cleaning, dentures, eye exams, glasses, hearing tests, hearing aids. Optician referrals.

Pet Care referrals: spay/neuters, vaccines free if on ODSP

PWA MEMBERS to book appointments please call 415-506-1400 ext 200 or 254 or 261 or email therapeuticcare@pwatoronto.org

Standby options available for last minute substitutions for non-members and volunteers for all PWA clinics.

Maple Leaf

Mobile

Dental

Clinic

PWA will be hosting a monthly mobile dental clinic.

June 26

• Accepts ODSP , CDCP, OW, private ins , and soon IFHP
• Check-ups and cleanings
• Fillings and crowns
• Root canals and extractions
• Children's Dentistry

To book an appointment, email Chris Godi with your name and phone number.

Join other HIV+ gay men for coffee, conversation and community. To learn more or join one of our programs contact Bradley.

Tuesday

June 30th

Doors open

@ 6:00 PM

Screening starts

@7:00 PM

163 Queen St. East

First Floor

Pride month is here! Join us for Pride Documentaries about 2SLGBTQ+ history and culture:

1. Before Stonewall.
2. Gay Sex In The 70s.
3. PARADE: Queer Acts Of Love And Resistance.
4. Word Is Out.

You can vote in the FEATURED section of our group. You'll find the movie posters with the trailers, as well as the poll to vote.

PINK CINEMA is a Toronto-based group that brings our 2SLGBTQ+ Community together through cinema, building community and sharing love, history, and culture.

This is a FREE and intergenerational movie night. We even supply FREE popcorn. We also have a concession stand with chips, candy & pop, 50¢ each. Your donation helps us purchase the digital copies of the films and the supplies for the snacks, and keep this event going!

When you join the group, you get to vote on what movies we show each month!

Join, then check the "Featured" section for movie choices and the poll to Click here to join FaceBook group

Members of the group get to vote on what movie we will watch each time.

HIV Buddies is a peer-led, culturally responsive network supporting people living with or at risk of HIV/HCV, especially South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Muslim and newcomer Queer communities.

Moral injury happens when we are forced to act or witness acts that violate the ethics that guide our work, especially if those acts cause harm to someone. This topic is more relevant than ever with the recent closures of the remaining publicly funded CTS across Ontario. This impact debrief is open to any and all workers who are feeling impacted by the closures. Your agency's site doesn't need to have been shut down for the closures to be weighing heavy on you. Join Chris Leonard and Laur Kelly as they share some information about moral injury then open for discussions and shares.

Join us on July 15 , 2026, for the first in our series of Group Grief Support Sessions for Peers and Workers in the HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction sectors. Together, we will explore the intersection of Pride, remembrance, loss, and resilience in a safe and supportive space.

Provincial Bingo Week

June 22

to

June 27

PWA is proud to be part of Charitable Gaming. Funds raised help support our programs and make a difference in our community. Bingo is more than a game - it's a community, connection, and local impact.

Canada's

Wonderland

Tickets

We are working to obtain free tickets to Canada's Wonderland. The park has recently changed the way it distributes free tickets. While there is no guarantee we will obtain free tickets, we will publish a special newsletter update should free tickets become available. Please continue to monitor your inbox.

Elevator

Repair

Update

Pardon Our Progress

Extended Time for Elevator Repair

We know that the ongoing elevator outage has been difficult for many members of our community, partners, staff, and visitors, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for the patience and the understanding you have shown throughout this process.

Our new hydraulic tank was successfully installed in May 2026. Following the installation, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) conducted an inspection of the system and during that inspection, it was determined that the elevator controller—the component often described as the "brain" of the elevator—must also be replaced before the elevator can safely return to service.

While this development is understandably frustrating, we have been advised that this issue could not have been identified until the hydraulic tank replacement was completed and the system underwent further testing and inspection. 

The building owner has authorized the replacement of the controller and is moving forward with the required work. At this time, we have been advised that the replacement and installation process is expected to take approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

We recognize that this prolonged outage has been exceptionally challenging for our clients, volunteers, staff, tenants, and partners. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and disruption this has caused.

We continue to emphasize the urgency of this matter with the building owner and contractors and have sought assurances that every effort will be made to avoid further delays. We remain committed to providing updates as new information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support. Should you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to Joy Hawkins-Cole.

Closed: July 1

PWA will be closed on Wednesday, July 1 in observance of Canada Day. Our offices will resume usual business hours on Thursday, July 2. Happy Canada Day!