Resources: There’s More to Life than Meds

From massages to makeovers, ballet to baseball, dating to demo-ing—there are plenty of exciting opportunities to take advantage of in your community. After all, you are a person LIVING with HIV. Don’t forget that.

Reach out & touch someone

Thanks to the hetero HIV meeting group run by Montreal’s CRISS (Centre of Resources, Interventions and Services in Sexual Health), there’s no need to spend another Friday night in front of the TV.

When? Friday nights at 7 pm

Edmonton Persons Living Positively offers a support group / intimacy night for positive folks of all orientations. Meet other PHAs for friendships, relationships or more.

When? Tuesday nights from 7–9 pm
Contact: 780.488.5768; 1.877.975.9448

Stir it up

Voices of Positive Women (and the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Africans in Partnership Against AIDS, the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, and African Community Health Services) offers “The Kitchen,” an African and Caribbean women’s HIV group — for friendship, food and food for thought.

Where? For the location of the next Kitchen, call the number below
When? 2nd Thursday of every month

Make your body hum

The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation offers free yoga classes for PHAs. Strike a pose to strengthen your body and calm your mind. Yoga mats are provided; you bring comfortable clothing and an open mind.

Where? The 519 Church Street Community Centre
When? Wednesdays from 4:30–6 pm
Contact: 416.506.1400

Paint the town

All dressed up and nowhere to go? Several organizations offer tickets for local events and goodies.

In Vancouver:
From ballet to rugby, Positive Living BC’s Complimentary Tickets Program provides the opportunity for members, friends and family to attend a variety of events.

Contact: 604.893.2285; comptix@positivelivingbc.org

In Edmonton:
Movie and bus passes, food vouchers and toiletries (funded by HIV Edmonton, The Ross Armstrong Fund and Edmonton Persons Living Positively) can be picked up by PHAs from 4–7 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

Contact: Edmonton Persons Living Positively; 780.488.5768; 1.877.975.9448

In Toronto:
Whether you want to ride a roller coaster, catch the latest flick or attend the theatre, the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, in partnership with local theatres and video outlets, provides clients with tickets to cultural events.

Contact: 416.506.1400

Rub-a-dub

Experience the healing power of touch. Members of the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia in Halifax can make an appointment for a free one-hour massage from a registered massage professional. Call in advance to book your rubdown — dates and times vary.

Contact: Cathy Giles at 902.425.4882; 1.800.566.2437; www.acns.ns.ca

Glam it up

Need a little pick-me-up? The Beauty Night Society will do the trick. Not only do these twice-monthly affairs provide the opportunity to meet other wonderful women, you’ll also get your hair, makeup and nails done! Access is by agency referral only. Other chapters are planned for across Canada. Check www.beautynight.org for more info.

Vancouver Chapter

Contact: Caroline MacGillivray; 778.885.4526; carolinem@beautynight.org

Toronto Chapter

Contact: info@beautynight.org

Get cheeky

Tired of no longer recognizing yourself in the mirror? LIPO-ACTION Quebec is a grassroots movement that brings attention to the devastating impact of lipodystrophy by staging creative demonstrations. Call or e-mail for support or info on lipo treatments. Want to start a chapter in your community? LIPO-ACTION Quebec is happy to help out.