Annual Report 2010-2011
Message from the Chair & Executive Director
2010 was an extraordinary year for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. It marked the 20th anniversary of the first Dr. Peter Diary on CBC Television. There was an overwhelmingly positive public response to the re-airing of Peter’s Diaries and the stories of care at the Dr. Peter Centre.
Lyanna's Story: Seven Day Service Helps Me Take Care of My Health
“I’m a pretty busy person. I work as a peer support worker at Vancouver Native Health and St. Paul’s Hospital, and as a research assistant at the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network. I’m also a mom and that’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Read more: Lyanna's Story: Seven Day Service Helps Me Take Care of My Health
Randy’s Story: Seven Day Service Means Meals on Weekends
“I wish you guys introduced weekend meals a year earlier. I was homeless during the winter of 2009/10. I had nowhere to go and nothing to eat on the weekends.
I slept at Sunset Beach for three months. I had money for an apartment from income assistance but everywhere I went I kept hearing the same two words: ’Credit check’. So, I ended up homeless.
Read more: Randy’s Story: Seven Day Service Means Meals on Weekends
Day Health Program Launches Seven Day Service
“Some people used to show up here and not know that it was the weekend and wonder why we weren’t open,” says Dianne Simpson, Day Health Coordinator at the Dr. Peter Centre. “And when you think about it, it makes sense; HIV doesn’t take the weekends off, nor do hunger, poverty and mental health issues. Our clients need support seven days a week, not just Monday to Friday.”
Measuring the Impact of Seven Day Service – the First Four Months
We recorded increases across our program in the first four months of seven day service:
- attendance increased by 25%*
- overall contacts between our clinical team and clients increased by 28%*
- basic support contacts increased by 23%*
In some cases, there were enormous increases reflecting the fact that we can now offer more opportunities to engage our clients in specialized counselling and therapy programs, such as art therapy where attendance increased 148%*.
Read more: Measuring the Impact of Seven Day Service – the First Four Months
Women’s Outreach Program: A Safe Place for Women
“It’s so important to have a ‘women’s only’ space at the Centre. We see women who are dealing with issues of domestic abuse or sexual abuse; many have a history in the sex trade. These are issues that women may only feel comfortable discussing within safe settings,” explains Sarah, a counsellor at the Dr. Peter Centre and co-facilitator of the Dr. Peter Centre’s Women’s Outreach program. The Women’s Outreach program was launched in 2010 through a grant from the MAC AIDS Fund.
The Most Important Meal of the Day
The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation has always operated with the help of a committed team of volunteers. Each year, we are fortunate to have volunteers dedicating their time and energy to support our clients living with HIV/AIDS. This year we shine the spotlight on some of our valued volunteers from the corporate community.
