Newsletter Fall 2007

AIDS Walk for Life 2007

– Sunday, September 16,

2007, “Funk n’ Walk” - An

annual event that reflects

and highlights a collective

effort, which aims to raise

awareness within various

communities, as well as to

raise much needed funds

so that we can continue the

important work. All

proceeds will go to the AIDS

Committee of Toronto (ACT),

to help support the

Education and Prevention

Program, and to those in the

community who are affected

or infected by HIV/AIDS.

You have helped to raise

more than $500,000 in 2006,

I am sure we can do it again

this year. I take pride in

ACAS’ contribution and

accomplishment over the

years, that we, as an

organization, have made,

and continue to make a

difference in the lives

of many.

- Grace Ng Listkowski

Walk For Life 2006Photo: Henry Roxaso

2 President’s Message

Welcome to the September issue of the ACAS Newsletter! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for coming out today, participating in this year’s AIDS Walk for Life 2007 – “Funk n’ Walk”. A very special note of appreciation to all the volunteers, the staff, whether you are the walker, a supporter, or a sponsor.

I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you an upcoming event of significance organized and hosted by ACAS. It is the ACAS Annual Fundraising Banquet, on Friday,

October 19, 2007 - “Spotlight on Asian Women & HIV”.

The HIV/AIDS landscape has changed over the years, women now represent one quarter of all new infections in Canada. At ACAS, we have seen in the past two years, a 50 per cent increase in women needing and using our Treatment and Support program. In keeping with our commitment and the current community needs, we are delighted to report to you that ACAS has expanded its Education and Prevention, Treatment and Support programs to women who, due to social, cultural, economic reasons, are most at risk of infection. In addition, a new Support Worker has been added to the ACAS team, which is in line with our efforts to grow and to expand.

In order for ACAS to continue to meet the needs of and to support women in the East and Southeast Asia communities, the proceeds of our Annual Fundraising Banquet will go to help sustain the programs that are most needed. At the same time, I am proud to report to you that for the first time, ACAS will be honoring the recipients of this year’s PHA Leadership Award, and the Emerging Community Activist Award.

Please join us in celebrating our continued commitment and your continued support in our quest to combat HIV/AIDS among women in the East and Southeast Asia communities. For more information on how you can participate in an evening that promises to be fun, filled with entertainment by community musical and dance performers, call ACAS at (416) 963-4300 or visit our website at www.acas.org. There will also be a Live and Silent Auction event where you will find something of your heart’s desire.

On behalf of ACAS, I thank you to your continued support.

Yours truly,

Grace Ng ListkowskiPresidentAsian Community AIDS Services (ACAS)

3ACAS Programs Update

Organized first community forum on HIV

positive women and criminalization for

service providers and HIV positive women.

Over ninety participants in attendance

and funded by the OHTN (Ontario HIV

Treatment Network).

New women only social outings

for PHA women

Support Program

Patrick Truong – Coordinator

Eva Sin – women support worker

initiating a positive prevention strategy for

HIV positive men and developing an outreach

strategy and resource development for HIV

positive women

Youth program

Chi Ching Hui – Coordinator

QAY (Queer Asian Youth) organized Asians

Can Dance With You! all ages dance party.

Over one hundred and fifty people attended

this hugely successful event which included

a live show and live visuals.

Upcoming TARO (Toronto Asian Resource

and Outreach) buddies training in late fall

Volunteer Program

Lisa Wong – Coordinator

Co-facilitated TARO training with Youth

Program Coordinator

community partnership with Pride Toronto

fundraising close to $2000 through ticket

sales during Pride

upcoming 2.5 day Core Skills Training in

November will train 20 new volunteers

Lisa is now in the office full time with

added Office Manager duties

Women Program

Jin Huh – coordinator

provided workshops for 300 participants and outreached to over 1500 people in the past yearReceived LGCA grant to develop a website for queer Asian women (trans inclusive) Coordinator participated in 2-month exchange with the Thai National AIDS Foundation as part of a twinning projectWrapping up study on settlement challenges for TS/TG women newcomers

MSM Program

Daniel Le - Coordinator

One year anniversary of the Asian bath

house outreach

Poster presentation in Sri Lanka

Joint volunteer training with other

ethno specific groups

4 Volunteer Feature

Volunteer:MiuLing Wong

Q: What motivated you to start volunteering at ACAS?

A: Being a sister of a gay brother in a Chinese family, I had gone through many struggles in understanding and accepting LGBTT communities. I believe my experience as a family member will be helpful to remove the stigma and to advocate for the rights of LGBTT communities. I did not hesitate to join the board of ACAS when it was officially founded in 1996.

Q: What were your reasons for continuing to volunteer at ACAS for 10 years?

A: After I joined the board of ACAS, there were a number of homophobic incidents which happened in the communities such as the homophobic articles on Living Magazine and Sing Tao Daily, same sex marriage issues and debates, etc. The board and the volunteers worked tirelessly to address these issues and finally we won the battles. We build our solidarity in going through these challenges. Through numerous volunteer training, I learned how to speak to the media during interviews and developed skills in debating in media on same sex marriage issues and in promoting anti-homophobia messages. I personally feel empower-ed and proud to be a member of ACAS.

Volunteer:Aries CheungQ: What motivated you to start volunteering at ACAS?

A: It started in the mid 80’s in Hong Kong when Dr. Alan Li was mobilizing the local queer community to be involved in queer politics and AIDS education and outreach. I was very much inspired by his activism and moved by his stories of discrimination and injustice faced by both locals and Asians oversea affected by HIV and AIDS. Personally, during those years, I had friends and acquaintances living with HIV and dying of AIDS but facing challenging issues due to their sexuality and the stigma of the disease. I moved to Canada in the late 80’s and naturally continued my similar activist interest in Toronto’s local Asian community.Then I realized that the HIV/AIDS related issues faced by the local Asian community are multi-layered, complicated by the issues of racism, systemic discrimination and cultural barriers. I noticed that ACAS (co-founded by Alan Li) was an organization that had the vision and potentials to help address such issues, which greatly motivated my volunteer involvement.

Q: What were your reasons for continuing to volunteer at ACAS for 10 years?

A: Fun. A sense of community. The rewards of seeing positive changes out of ACAS’ work. ACAS has evolved through all these years, from a small, single-staff service to an organization of diverse programs and a larger number of staff and volunteers. It’s mission, mandates and directions have also been modified to catch up with newly-discovered community needs. Nonetheless, one thing remains unchanged: ACAS has always been able to engage members with fun, creative activities and genuine friendliness no one can

resist -- not to mention their delicious home-made Asian refreshments. Every time I step into ACAS’ office, I feel a tremendous sense of warmth, love and commitment. It is my second home, a large family of diversity, energy and dedication. Being a volunteer, I am happy to know that our effort has helped ACAS’ to achieve its goals. That’s a major reward. By the way, as a community member and service user, am I not also a beneficiary of ACAS’s success and achievements?

5ACAS Staff Feature

Name: Jin Huh Position: Women’s Outreach & Education Program CoordinatorBirth Place: Seoul, South Korea Birthday: March 21Zodiac Sign: Aries (on the cusp with Pisces)Chinese Zodiac: TigerEducation: University of Waterloo, York UniversityHobbies: Camping, Singing, Dancing, Reading, Writing, Single Malt Scotch, Playing card/board games, Talking politicsFavourite Food: neng myung (cold noodle soup), jajang myun (korean style chinese- black bean noodles), pho, lasagna, any kind of dumpling, panang beef curry, oysters, arctic charFavourite Color: dark red/burgundyFavourite Movies: Secrets & Lies, In the Mood for Love, Rabbit Proof Fence, Saving Face, Eve and the Firehorse, musicals of all kinds including Moulin Rouge and DreamgirlsWhat I'm reading: "Rush Home Road" by Lori Lansens and "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity" by Julia SeranoSomething People Might Not know About Me: I grew up in the Jane/Finch area and Scarborough

6 Volunteer Contribution

Forest Of Light - by Ryan Tran

13 years of Community Service

Illustration by JK Gye

7

ACAS proudly presents its ‘Peace’ Greeting Cards Set, featuring 5 unique lotus paintings by Lai Tak Ki, an Asian-Canadian artist from Toronto.

These all occasion, greeting cards depict five 5” x 7” lotus paintings printed on linen paper with wisdom words promoting peace at the back of each card. The wisdom words were written by Grace Ng Listkowski, President , ACAS‘s Board of Directors.

Each set contains ten 5” x 7” peace cards, consisting of 2 cards each of 5 original lotus paintings, and 10 white envelopes. The inside of the cards are left blank for your own message.

Cost: $20/set plus $4 shipping

All proceeds go to ACAS program services

33 Isabella St., #107Toronto, ONM4Y 2P7Tel 416-963-4300Fax 416-963-4371Email info@acas.orgWebsite www.acas.org

This ACAS newsletter was produced by the Media and Arts

Committee: Ernie Chan • Aries Cheung • Tony Chong • JK Gye

• Duncan Lau • Jorge Lee • Alex Li • Grace Ng Listkowski

• Rhoda Pangilinan • Eric Poon • Francis Roque • Noulmook

Sutdhibhasilp • Ryan Tran • Lisa Wong • Ben Xie. We like to thank

the staff and volunteers who contributed their time and hard work.

We rely on volunteers’ contribution, and if you like to help out in

future issues, please feel free to email us at publicity@acas.org

© 2007 www.acas.org All rights reserved.

Name ___________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________

City _______________ Province _________ Postal Code __________

Tel # ______________________ Fax # ________________________

Credit Card Number ________________________________________

[ ] Visa [ ] Master Card [ ] AmEx Expiry Date ___________________

# of set(s) ordered ________________ @ $24 each set (incl shipping)

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Fax form to 416-963-4371

Peace Card On Sale

qay.caacas.org iRice.org

greeting Cards now on saleT he paintings of tak ki lai

a r t w o r k g e n e r o u sly d o n a t e d b y : t a k k i l a i — d e s i g n b y : k e t a n m a n o h a r

a l l pr o c eed s g o to a si a n c om muni t y a id s serv ic e s

a sia n communit y a ids services pr esents