As part of broader efforts to provide community improvement, a sense of purpose, and personal fulfillment, PWA recently trained 98 new volunteers (the majority of whom are new immigrants to Canada) on skills development, cultural exchange, social connection, employment opportunities, advocacy, and awareness.
“Volunteers are extremely important to us and our community. That is why we conduct regular volunteer training sessions. Currently, most of our volunteers are immigrants, and these volunteer opportunities serve as PWA benefitting from the vast experience with which newcomers arrive. It also acts their Canadian work experience. We are committed to putting extra effort to ensure they gain the most from it”.
Nester Tom, Dreaming and Engagement Coordinator, PWA
“In today’s session, I learned about the diverse culture in Canada as well as the Indigenous people. I learned how to navigate seamlessly as a newcomer. I also learned how to reposition myself, how to give back to the community, and how to communicate and address people. PWA, to me, is a very flexible organization; it can help broaden your horizon and build upon the skills from your country. This organization will also assist you with issues related to housing, information sharing, and providing a platform and Canadian experience.” This was the reflection from Angela Muwanga, a newcomer form Uganda as she stepped out of the recent volunteer training at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA)
Nester explained that although volunteering is unpaid work, it is a platform to gain skills, a chance to network, and an opportunity to learn new skills and encouraged participants to consider volunteering, as it can help them gain meaningful job experience.
Jesus Alfonso, a volunteer who hails from Mexico, said the training has exposed him to how to interact with other members of the society. He said, “Today’s training was very important to me because it cleared up all the doubts, I had about Toronto PWA Foundation and the support, guidance, and rules it provides, affirming that we are all the same people with the support we also have as individuals living with HIV. This session cleared up all my doubts and was extremely interesting.”
Nester Tom also shares that she she started started out volunteering with PWA upon her arrival in Canada. That experience changed her life. That is why she is now so heavily invested in ensuring that fellow newcomers are properly trained and can be helped to integrate seamlessly into society.
“I feel so great and delighted, especially being exposed to things I didn’t know before. I learned that volunteering can provide a Canadian experience and is also a way of giving back to society. I must thank the organizer for this beautiful idea.”
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.
