Thirty years ago on May 11th, 1987, the Ministry of Consumer & Commercial Relations granted PWA status as an incorporated charitable organization. James St. James, Raymond Barnard and Russell Almond filed the application of incorporation and are listed as PWA’s first directors on the letters patent granting incorporation.
PWA was formed in a time of community grief, when people with HIV/AIDS were fighting for basic needs, to have a voice, and visibility in the community. PWA was at the forefont of HIV activism and practical support, transforming the face of HIV one individual at a time. PWA was created as a fundamental space of community, affirmation, and a place of welcome for hands on support that would allow people to reclaim their lives. For thirty years, as HIV has been transformed into a more manageable disease, the essence of PWA remains unchanged, a leader in impacting what it means to live a meaningful life with HIV, and advocating and providing the kind of support people need.
PWA is many things, it’s the impactful stories shared throughout the Speakers Bureau, the Essentials Market, the staff who work tirelessly to access every possible resource for clients, the Friends For Life Bike Rally, the activism, leadership, and the welcoming and healing community space.
To mark this moment, on May 11, we began our year-long celebration and remembrance of our 30 years as an organization. Throughout the year, we will celebrate and remember PWA’s 30 years by including anniversary activities in our yearly community events, Pride, Bike Rally, AGM, World AIDS Day, and also through the creation of specific 30th anniversary events. This planning and coordination is being overseen by a 30th anniversary committee made up of staff, clients, volunteers and donors. To guide the planning and coordination throughout the coming year PWA has chosen these values to help capture the essence of who we are; Celebration & remembrance, Community & friendship, Knowledge & awareness, Inclusivity & meaningful engagement, Strength & resilience.
In recognition and celebration of PWA’s 30 years we are proud to illustrate some key accomplishments over our rich history as we acknowledge PWA’s resilience and longevity.
1987 – PWA incorporates as a not-for-profit May 11 as the Toronto People With Aids Foundation. The core PWA group meet where they can including a temporary office at Casey House before it opens. AZT, the first anti-HIV drug is approved in the US and Canada.
1988 – Toronto People With Aids Foundation obtains an office in January next to ACT at 464 Yonge St. First full-time benefits and assistance counsellor supports PHAs to get social assistance. Casey House Hospice opens and Fife House Foundation forms to provide supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS.
1989 – PWA receives core funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care which means more staff and more programs. The PWA Speakers Bureau outreach begins, including speaking in schools. The Montreal Manifesto, an international bill of rights for people with HIV/AIDS, is published.
1990 – PWA and every AIDS Service Organization in Ontario, led by AIDS ACTION NOW! Oppose attempts to classify HIV/AIDS as “virulent” and subject to quarantine orders. The federal Health Minister announces the first National AIDS strategy.
1991 – New Treatment Resource Centre provides information on Living with AIDS and produces easy to understand treatment information. The 1st Canadian AIDS Awareness Week launches.
1992 – PWA establishes a Foodbank specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS. PWA supports Voices of Positive Women and administers funds. Ontario’s Ministry of Health establishes anonymous HIV testing sites.
1993 – PWA and ACT move to 399 Church St. PWA receives the first grant to a Canadian HIV/AIDS organization from MAC AIDS Fund. The AIDS Memorial in Cawthra Park opens.
1994 – PWA participates in education of U of T Medical Students in 1994-1995 and receives award. PWA supports and administers funds for Positive Youth Outreach. After years of pressure the Ontario government announces that a catastrophic drug program will be implemented in 1995.
1995 – The HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) is established in partnership with the ACT and the PWA Foundation. PWA continues to obtain co-op commitments for dedicated units for PHAs. Dr. Charles Roy publishes his ground-breaking research Living and Serving: Persons with HIV in the Canadian AIDS Movement.
1996 – Sutherland Chan partners with PWA to provide the first student massage clinic for PHAs. New family of anti-retroviral drugs called protease inhibitors is approved in the US. Ontario begins Viral Load testing.
1997 – Series of pamphlets is produced on treatment issues along with Ask Your Questions sessions. PWA continues to assist PHAs with housing referrals. Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network forms.
1998 – PWA begins only needle exchange specifically for PHAs. Naturopathic Clinic partnership begins with the College of Naturopathic Medicine (currently offered at the Sherbourne Health Centre). HIV/AIDS diagnosis is added to ODSP after efforts by PWA and other groups in Ontario.
1999 – 1st Friends For Life Bike Rally is held and raises $44,498. PWA adopts provocative position to support medicinal marijuana. HIV treatment effective in reducing mother to child transmission during pregnancy.
2000 – PWA develops a new strategic plan. 1st Canadian National Conference of Women and HIV/AIDS is held. More than 40 million people worldwide are estimated to have HIV/AIDS, half are women and nearly 25 million have died.
2001 – PWA offers workshops on HIV/AIDS medications, nutrition, alternative therapies and other topics. The Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIPA) Principle is endorsed by 189 United Nations member countries as part of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.
2002 – PWA launches the Food For Life (Wakeford’s Wagons) meal delivery partnership program. PWA begins the Pie in the Sky Thanksgiving fundraiser for PWA’s Food Programs. HIV becomes the leading cause of death worldwide in people aged 15-59.
2003 – PWA partners with the Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment (CAAT) to develop the HIV Medication Access Project for PHAs facing access barriers related to their immigration status. Becomes a PWA program within a year. InSite, North America’s first supervised injection site, opens for drug users in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
2004 – Amalgamation discussions help to identify PWA and ACT partnership opportunities and to clarify PWA’s work as a separate agency. Estimated HIV prevalence in Ontario is 20,260.
2005 – PWA participates in regional HIV services planning process and later become Trustee and host of the Toronto HIV/AIDS Network (THN). Murray Jose, PWA Executive Director becomes Co-Chair. There is an estimated 57,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada.
2006 – PWA begins long partnership as beneficiary of Home + Style fundraiser. The 16th International AIDS Conference is held in Toronto. AIDS deaths fall but serious health complications emerge.
2007 – PWA’s 20th Anniversary. PWA provides early leadership as part of the new Ontario Working Group on Criminal Law + HIV exposure. Criminalization of HIV and lack of rationale for charges from case to case becomes a growing concern.
2008 – The 10th Friends For Life Bike Rally raises $1,214,627, the 10 year total passes $5,000,000 and more than 300 cyclists participated supported by a crew of 100. PWA is the honoured group at pride. Estimated 65,000 persons in Canada infected with HIV.
2009 – Poz Prevention resource materials, developed in partnership with the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, are recognized nationally and internationally as ground breaking. Opening Doors, an annual forum for PHAs and service providers is re-initiated in Toronto.
2010 – The Foodbank’s transformation to an Essentials Market is complete. The Love Bowl begins – a Valentine’s themed bowl-a-thon. 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna bases drug policies on evidence and supports harm reduction.
2011 – Engaging, Building Capacity, Empowering Dreams: PWA’s 2011-2016 Strategic Plan. Communities, including LGBT and HIV/AIDS groups, organize to protect vital services during the City of Toronto Core Service Review.
2012 – A volunteer led Community Garden adds to PWA Food Programs. PWA marks its 25th Anniversary – honours the community that responded to HIV/AIDS and built PWA. The Supreme Court of Canada makes a new, very disappointing ruling on criminalization of HIV non-disclosure that will impact PHAs and challenge public health strategies for years to come.
2013 – Friends for Life Bike Rally celebrates 15 years; 4176 participants and $12 million raise to date. PWA provides 221,500 services to 7,800 individuals this year.
2014 – The Melbourne Declaration: Nobody left Behind is launched at the 20th International AIDS Conference. New Study reports first direct evidence of HIV treatment reducing risk of HIV transmission.
2015 – Volunteers provided 58, 400 hours supporting programming and activities.
2016 – Friends for Life Bike Rally launches a One Day 110 KM ride Fundraiser.
2017 – PWA celebrates 30 years of service to PHA’s. PWA endorses the U=U consensus statement.
