AIDS Bow Valley

April 28, 2010

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

To our valued community members,

It is with great disappointment that we announce the upcoming closure of AIDS Bow Valley. Due to recent government funding decisions, AIDS Bow Valley will cease operations in the fall of 2010, with future programming and services for the Bow Valley region to be provided by AIDS Calgary Awareness Association.

AIDS Bow Valley has committed to delivering a fabulous program for summer 2010. We are also committed to working with AIDS Calgary Awareness Association to ensure a smooth transition of services for our community. We believe firmly in the value of local services and will continue to advocate for the best interests of our community members, volunteers, and partner organizations.

Since 1992, AIDS Bow Valley has proudly served our communities through prevention, education, awareness, referrals and support to residents, seasonal workers, and visitors who are at risk of, affected by, or living with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

With a disproportionate number of young adults living and working in the Bow Valley and high rates of STIs amongst those aged 18-30, AIDS Bow Valley has provided such valuable, creative, fun and cost-effective strategies aimed at decreasing the incidence and transmission of STIs and HIV amongst young adults who live, work or visit our region as:

* FREE safer sex supplies and educational information: condoms (male & female), dental dams, personal lubricant, pamphlets on a variety of topics

* Referrals for local free and confidential STI and HIV testing for people without Canadian health care coverage at the Bow Valley Medical and Cosmetic Centre & Lake Louise Medical Clinic

* Condom Blitzes at local events and in bars/pubs

* Community wide events such as: the Annual Safer Lovin’ Condom Hunt, Movie Under the Stars, and Predatory Drug (Date Rape Drug) Awareness Campaigns, Safer Body Art Henna Tattoos etc.

* Servers Against AIDS fundraisers, raising funds for both AIDS Bow Valley and the Stephen Lewis Foundation

* Theatre productions (e.g. The Vagina Monologues)

* Workshops and presentations for human resources staff and community groups as well as in local schools in Banff and Canmore (e.g. HIV 101, Sexual Diversity, Kicking AIDS Out Skills Circuit)

* Events to commemorate important dates (e.g. World AIDS Day December 01st, International Day Against Homophobia May 17th)

* Employee Health Packages (a cost-sharing program with Bow Valley employers to raise awareness and provide safer sex resources for staff)

* Attendance at Health Fairs and Orientations (e.g. One Cool Winter, Welcome Week in Banff, Health and Safety Fairs)

* Community engagement through representation on various committees – e.g. Workplace Wellness Committee, Bow Valley Interagency Group, Lake Louise Human Resources Committee

* And much much more!

We thank you for your ongoing support of AIDS Bow Valley over the past 18 years and look forward to seeing you at our events this summer.

Signed,

AIDS Bow Valley Board of Directors & Staff

Contact information:

AIDS Bow Valley

302 Buffalo Street

Banff, AB

www.aidsbowvalley.com

programs@aidsbowvalley.com

403-762-0690

Stay up-to-date on events and volunteer activities by joining our Facebook Fan Page: AIDS Bow Valley

AIDS Calgary Awareness Association

Simonne LeBlanc, Executive Director

403-508-2500 Ext 118

sleblanc@aidscalgary.org