PHA ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

PWA Seeking Full-time, Permanent

PHA ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Department:            Programs and Services

Category:                  2A

Revised:                   January 3, 2022

Deadline for submissions is 4:00pm, January 23rd, 2023.

TORONTO PEOPLE WITH AIDS FOUNDATION (PWA) MISSION

We engage people living with HIV/AIDS in enhancing their health and wellbeing through practical and therapeutic support services and broader social change, and we inspire them to live into their dreams and discoveries.

PURPOSE

The PHA Engagement program supports PWA’s commitment to GIPA/MEPA (greater involvement and meaningful engagement of people living with & affected by HIV/AIDS) and creates broader social change through meaningfully engaging people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties

  • Recruits, trains, coordinates and provides in-depth coaching and capacity building to PHA Peer Outreach volunteers in areas such as : Health Champion, Poz Prevention and Speaker’s Bureau;
  • Recruits, trains, coordinates and supports people living with HIV/AIDS participating in the PHA-PI (people living with HIV/AIDS – patient instructor) and University of Toronto Preceptorship Buddy programs;
  • Conducts effective community recruitment within diverse communities, including ability, gender, gender expression, age, ethnicity, religion and HIV disease progression identified communities, to ensure that the PHA Engagement program equitably represents the many lived experiences of HIV/AIDS;
  • Actively solicits, manages and supports education and outreach opportunities with the program’s priority populations, including people living with HIV/AIDS, men who have sex with men, and healthcare practitioners and students;
  • Collaborates with key program stakeholders to develop and implement the new vision of PHA Engagement program amongst the Health Champion, Poz Prevention, Men’s Health Peer Navigators Program;
  • Identifies, develops, updates and delivers trainings/presentations on sexual health, poz prevention and GIPA/MEPA based on outreach feedback and sector gaps for program peers and priority populations;
  • Provides one-on-one support to positive men aimed at addressing some of the psycho-social issues which they face;
  • Participates in meetings and trainings, and sits on committees, both in-house and on behalf of the agency, to increase service accessibility and agency leadership related to sexual health, poz prevention and GIPA/MEPA;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Strong understanding and knowledge of the complexity of issues relating to HIV/AIDS, sexual health and Poz prevention;
  • Strong understanding and knowledge of anti-oppression/anti-racism, greater involvement and meaningful engagement of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS (GIPA/MEPA), harm reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Strong ability to effectively relate their own personal story living with HIV/AIDS to appropriate topics and issues;
  • Verbal and written fluency in English is required and knowledge of a second language/culture is a definite asset;
  • Strong understanding and knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook, and database programs.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Experience and Education

  • 2-4 years’ experience in program coordination and volunteer management in a health related or social service-related field.
  • 2-4 years of demonstrated excellent adult education, coaching, training skills an asset;
  • Post-secondary degree in a related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • OAN Leadership and/or other relevant PHA (people living with HIV/AIDS) capacity building training an asset.

This position is designated for a male identified person living with HIV/AIDS and comes with a salary of $50,965.

No phone calls please.

Resumes may be submitted in confidence to:

Ian McKnight, Director, Programs & Services 

fax: 416-506-1404 email: imcknight@pwatoronto.org

200 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2E6

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PWA Staff Update

You can find the original letter here.

September 22nd, 2022.

PWA STAFF UPDATE

Dear Community Members, Peers, Volunteers and Community Partners.

I hope this letter finds you well and healthy.

We would like to share with you, some of our most recent staff updates:

PWA bids farewell to:

1. Rajesh Pisharody who has served as Income & Community Liaison (ICL) for over 15 years. We want to express our gratitude for all the hard work and dedication Rajesh has provided to each member of our community.

2. Angela Stultz who has served as Strategic Programs Manager for over a year serving our community through our Anti-Indigenous Racism & Anti-Black Racism work and providing support to our community with the implementation of the Legal Clinic at PWA among other important programs.

Angela & Rajesh, we are thankful for everything, and we wish you all the very best in all your new endeavors.

Bill Handley & Kyle Vose are both presently on long-term leave from PWA where they have both worked relentlessly. Bill and Kyle, we send you both positive doses of healing and strength.

Jordan Schwartz: is joining us as an Interim Income & Community Liaison (ICL) to bring support to our other ICLs Errol and Shaz.

Somdatt Ramessar, will assume responsibilities as Service Access Manager. Somdatt will still have oversight of the Essentials Market but has put in place a Peer-based model for the Essentials Market’s operations.

A huge thank you to Angela & Rajesh for all your contributions to the PWA Family, we appreciate all of your hard work and love.

Bill & Kyle, you have our hearts and prayers. Take good care of yourselves.

Congratulations to Jordan who started his journey with PWA as a student and is now transitioning to the Interim ICL position and to Somdatt who has been impacting our community since his first day as Food Programs Coordinator.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or comments. I can be reached at imcknight@pwatoronto.org and (416) 506-1400 ext. 239.

Sincerely,

Ian McKnight (He/Him)

Director Programs & Services

Toronto People with AIDS Foundation

Tele: (416) 506-1400 ext. 239

Email: imcknight@pwatoronto.org

To read the original letter, please click here.

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PWA Indigenous Spiritual Advisor Announcement

Dear PWA Community,


We are very happy to share with you, that we have been benefitting significantly from the rich wisdom and advice of Rod Michano, who is now PWA’s Indigenous Spiritual Advisor.


Many of you would have seen that we have installed the Land Acknowledgement in both the Essentials Market and the Reception area on the second Floor. We have created a Meditation space in the Essentials Market, and we have been utilizing Indigenous practices in resolving conflicts. This and more has been at the insight and vision of Rod and his lifetime companion Agokwa brother.


To further strengthen this work, Rod will be present on Wednesdays from 1pm to 3pm in the Meditation Space of the Essentials Market. His work will include the traditional Indigenous practice of smudging the space and individuals as a way of centering your body and soul, encouraging positivity and mindfulness. If the spiritual aspect causes you allergies, discomfort, or affects you in any negative way, please visit us on another day and time.


There are other such activities to be implemented and we are committed to keeping you updated when these have been planned.


We value and honour all our Community Members and look forward to your honest feedback and continuous contribution.


Sincerely,

Suzanne Paddock

Executive Director

To read the letter from PWA’s Executive Director, please click here.

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