ABRPO

ABRPO supports ASOs and harm reduction programs by offering impact debriefs, grief circles, peer networking, and online learning opportunities.

Visit our website to learn more. Funded by the Ministry of Health. Explore our Resources: https://linktr.ee/ab

04/20/2026

Canada has long benefited from a strong and resilient volunteer sector, with people across the country stepping up to support their communities in countless ways.

While that commitment continues, the sector is under strain. Declining volunteer participation, recruitment and retention challenges, and growing demand for services have increased vulnerability for many people in Canada. Volunteer organizations are doing more with less—often without the supports needed to fully engage volunteers or remove barriers to participation.

At a time of rising living costs, an aging population, post-pandemic impacts, growing loneliness, and the climate crisis, revitalizing volunteerism in Canada has never been more urgent.

This week and every week, we at ABRPO celebrate our volunteers and the incredible work you do across the province. Your impact reaches far beyond your local agencies—to every person and community you support.

04/17/2026

April 18 marks the observance of National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD). NTHTD recognizes the importance of routine HIV testing, status awareness, and a continued focus on HIV prevention and treatment efforts among Transgender and gender Non-Binary people. The initiative encourages community-based organizations, health jurisdictions, and HIV prevention programs to host local Trans-inclusive HIV testing events and to develop trans-specific HIV testing campaigns, materials, and resources.

04/16/2026

On April 17, the global community will come together for World Hemophilia Day 🩸

This year’s theme, “Diagnosis: First Step to Care,” reminds us that diagnosis is the gateway to treatment, support, and improved quality of life.

The World Federation of Hemophilia estimates that over 75% of people living with hemophilia worldwide remain undiagnosed—and the gap is even greater for other bleeding disorders.

Hemophilia is also an often invisible part of the HIV community. Many people with hemophilia were historically impacted through contaminated blood products, and their stories, experiences, and ongoing care needs continue to be overlooked.

That means hundreds of thousands of people are still without access to basic care.

We can change this.

By strengthening healthcare knowledge and improving diagnostic capacity, we can ensure more people are identified, supported, and cared for—and that no one’s experience remains unseen.

04/13/2026

These past few months have been heavy for so many of us. The news of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) closing its doors after more than 40 years of care, advocacy, and community has been deeply felt. At the same time, the closure of eight more Safe Consumption Sites across the province, along with ongoing funding cuts, leaves many of us asking difficult questions about how we continue to show up for Peers and for each other.

There is grief here. There is uncertainty. And for many, there is also exhaustion.

Aara and Craig want to gently hold space for Peers and workers to come together during this time - to speak openly about what’s weighing on us, to share how we are being impacted, and to remind one another that we are not alone in this.

This is a space for honesty, for connection, and for care. A space where we can lean on each other, reflect together, and find strength in community as we navigate what comes next. The true core values of TTOA - Turning To One Another.

To registers Peers, yourself or other workers in your agency please email Craig at CraigBoucher@abrpo.org.

04/10/2026

National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on April 10. The day aims to raise awareness, spark conversations, and spotlight the important work being done to reduce HIV and AIDS among young people. This day is especially significant, as HIV among youth remains a far greater issue than many realize. According to the most recent HIV statistics, in 2024, 9.6% of all new HIV diagnoses in Canada were among youth aged 0–24. It is therefore critical to elevate young voices and support peer-to-peer education as powerful tools in the fight against the AIDS epidemic. This is not solely a government responsibility—each of us has a role to play in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and saving lives.

04/07/2026

The theme for World Health Day 2026, “Global Action for Universal Health Coverage,” underscores the urgent need to ensure that everyone—regardless of gender, race, income, or health status—can access essential health services, including prevention, treatment, and palliative care, without facing financial hardship or exclusion. Yet we know this promise is not always realized, even here in Canada.

Rising HIV rates across the country highlight how far we still are from achieving this goal. Canada now reports higher HIV rates than any other G7 nation—a stark reminder that the AIDS crisis is not behind us. In 2020, there were 1,322 newly diagnosed HIV cases; by 2023, that number had risen to 2,434, representing an 84% increase. The highest rates of new transmission were recorded in Saskatchewan (19.4%) and Manitoba (19.3%), while the three territories reported the lowest rates (2.2%) (PHAC).

Patterns of HIV transmission are also shifting. In 2023, heteros*xual contact accounted for 39.4% of newly diagnosed cases, surpassing men-to-men s*xual contact at 36%. This marked the first time in Canadian HIV history that men-to-men contact was not the leading mode of transmission—underscoring the need for broader, more inclusive, and equity-driven approaches to HIV prevention, testing, and care.

World Health Day 2026 calls on us to move beyond commitments and toward action. Achieving universal health coverage in Canada means confronting the systemic barriers that continue to place communities at greater risk—stigma, racism, criminalization, poverty, and gaps in access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care. Ending the HIV epidemic will require sustained investment in harm reduction, culturally safe and community-led services, and policies that centre equity, dignity, and human rights. Universal health coverage is not truly universal until everyone—especially those most impacted—can access the care they need, when they need it, without fear, judgment, or financial burden.

04/03/2026

April showers don’t just bring May flowers—they also create the perfect conditions for rainbows. That’s likely why April 3rd is recognized as National Find a Rainbow Day, a day that encourages everyone to step outside and look for a little colour and hope in the sky.

Within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the rainbow holds deep meaning. The rainbow flag is an enduring symbol of our strength, resilience, and pride. First created in 1978, the original Pride flag featured eight colours, each with its own meaning: hot pink for s*x, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit.

Over time, the Pride flag has evolved to better reflect the diversity and lived experiences within our community. Today’s Progress Pride flag includes black and brown stripes to represent Black and racialized communities and those impacted by HIV; pink, baby blue, and white to honour Trans communities; and a yellow triangle with a purple circle to recognize inters*x people. Together, these colours represent unity, inclusion, and the ongoing work toward equity and visibility for all.

04/01/2026

The TTOA Peer Engagement Facilitation Training was developed between 2008 and 2011 through a collaborative partnership with PHA Programs at the OAN. Rooted in the knowledge, experiences, and leadership of Peers, this training was shaped by the voices of people living with HIV, alongside the dedication of Workers and Agencies across the province. Together, this collective effort has grown into a strong foundation for Peer work within our communities.

The training is organized into three sections and uses a blend of adult learning approaches, including interactive online modules, accessible manuals, and shared debrief spaces after each section. These elements create opportunities for connection, reflection, and collective learning, supporting Peers to build confidence, strengthen their skills, and develop and lead their own workshops in ways that reflect their lived experiences and community strengths.

Interested in strengthening Peer Engagement in your community? Connect with Craig Boucher, TTOA Co-Ordinator, to learn how the TTOA Peer Engagement Facilitation Training can be brought to your agency. CraigBoucher@abrpo.org

03/31/2026

Trans Day of Visibility is a day to celebrate the survival and thriving of trans people everywhere. The world is enriched by the authenticity, love, and self-awareness of our trans sisters, brother, and siblings.

With rising tides of transphobia and prejudice across the country, it's vital we commit to uplifting our trans community members and defending them from violence and discrimination, both interpersonal and systemic. Act against transphobia when you hear it or see it. This could mean speaking up, intervening when you witness violence or prejudice, reviewing your organizations inclusion and equity policies, making sure your workplace benefits cover gender affirming care, writing letters to elected officials about legislation impacting trans people, or sending love and affirmation to trans folks.

It's also a time to remember the ongoing contributions of trans community members in the HIV and Harm Reduction movements. From safer drug use practices to safer s*x practices, trans folks have brought decades of innovation to get us to where we are today.

03/30/2026

Sudden Temporary Upsurges of Grief (STUGs) often happen long after a loss has occurred. We might think we're "over it" and then get hit with a wave of grief. STUGs involving grief from child apprehension often happen around important dates and holidays, or hearing certain songs, seeing kids shows, or familiar smells.

Learn about this and more on April 2 from 2 - 4:30pm at Big Girls Don't Cry, an online speaking engagement from Cassandra Smith in collaboration with ABRPO. Cassandra will share her story of grief and surviving systemic failures and child apprehension. She will be joined by Chris Leonard, ABRPO consultant and community facilitator, to develop shared language around this type of grief and offer tips for workers supporting grieving parents.

Register through the link in our bio or visit www.abrpo.org/events

03/27/2026

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER!
Join us on April 2 from 2 - 4:30pm for Big Girls Don't Cry, a speaking engagement from Cassandra Smith in collaboration with ABRPO. Cassandra will share her story of grief and surviving systemic failures and child apprehension. She will be joined by Chris Leonard, ABRPO consultant and community facilitator, to develop shared language around this type of grief and offer tips for workers supporting grieving parents.

Register through the link in our bio or visit www.abrpo.org/events

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Sherbourne Street
Toronto, ON
M4X1K9

Website

https://abrpo.org/

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