This year’s Federated Health Charities campaign runs from April 3, 2023, to June 30, 2023. During the campaign, we will be highlighting each of our 21 charities and how they work to improve the health and well-being of people across our province.
Our second charity in the spotlight is the Ontario AIDS Network, which provides learning, leadership and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS across Ontario. The Ontario AIDS Network was formed in 1986 to share information and provide peer support between AIDS service organizations. Today, the organization includes 45 agencies providing services to over 27,000 people in Ontario living with HIV/AIDS to empower them to live healthy and productive lives.
At the heart of the Ontario AIDS Network’s work is a commitment to the principle of empowerment, inclusion, community and improved quality of life for people living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. As an organization of person-centred, community-based organizations, the Ontario AIDS Network endorses the right of people living with HIV/AIDS to control their destinies and to work in partnership in determining the course of the organization. Through their leadership and skills development programs, the Ontario AIDS Network helps people living with HIV/AIDS to become leaders and advocates in their communities.
For Muluba, who was found to be HIV positive as a toddler, the Ontario AIDS Network has been instrumental in helping her find her confidence after a childhood where she was often isolated by her HIV status: “The Ontario AIDS Network has made a difference in my life, because they have taught me so much about being an advocate in HIV work in Ontario. I don’t think that I would be a fulfilled member of the community, I wouldn’t know how to have my voice in the community. I wouldn’t know how to be an activist if I didn’t have their help, and I’m really grateful to them for that.”
Muluba’s story: It really isolated me
Federated Health Charities has worked with the Ontario AIDS Network since 1992 to support their work to improve the quality and length of life for those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
To learn more about the Ontario AIDS Network and the programs they provide, please visit Ontario AIDS Network. To make a payroll pledge or donation to support the Ontario AIDS Network and Federated Health Charities, please visit Federated Health Charities.
