Client Spotlight: The Impact of Your Dollars
My name is Brittany. I am 28 years old and have been HIV positive for almost 8 years. I am also a full-time student of social service work, a small business owner and a mother of three beautiful children. This is my testimonial on how the wonderful leadership training that I received from the Ontario AIDS Network changed my life.
Before I attended leadership development, I knew that I was passionate about creating change but I didn’t feel that I had the power to do so because I had no formal training in leadership skills. I live in a rural community with very few opportunities to better educate myself about HIV.
When I attended the leadership training I really didn’t know what to expect. My only expectation at the time was to go and come back in one piece, potentially empowered to continue making a difference in my community as someone living with HIV. Little did I know the training that I received would set the foundation for me to go back to school and solidify the decision to work for social services. The training is invaluable, and the skills gained help me in my day-to-day life. I was able to find my voice, envision the future, search for opportunities to change, grow and improve, strengthen others by sharing my experiences, and celebrate my values and victories by creating a sense of community.
Your support has added value and purpose to my life, and it is because of the training I have received that I continue my passion of advocacy for those living with HIV, myself included. As I finish up with my final semester of school and I go on into the workplace I often reflect on the leadership skills I learned with gratitude.
