ABRPO

ABRPO ABRPO supports A*Os and harm reduction programs by offering impact debriefs, grief circles, peer networking, and online learning opportunities.

Visit our website to learn more. Funded by the Ministry of Health. Explore our Resources: https://linktr.ee/ab

We could not wait to share this! Casey House one of our Community Partners has released a short film called Big F*cking...
02/26/2026

We could not wait to share this! Casey House one of our Community Partners has released a short film called Big F*cking Deal. This short film explores the stigma and systemic inequality that people experience when living with HIV and additional challenges.

Even though HIV can be medically managed, stigma and inequality continue to determine who gets consistent, safe care. When living with HIV includes facing mental health challenges, substance use, unstable housing, or discrimination, treatment can quickly become impossible to maintain. The film brings those lived realities to the surface, showing how a treatable condition can turn into a life-shaping crisis.

The creative idea began with a simple insight: we often see unhoused people and look away. The film helps humanize those we disregard, especially the people for managing HIV without a strong support system. By fully inhabiting Jordan’s life, the story shows love, joy, loss, and deterioration, not as a moral failure, but as the result of stigma, shame, and eroding mental health. The film engenders empathy by showing how easily any life can unravel.

To view BIg F*cking Deal, click on the following link https://smashstigma.ca/

UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Collective Care in Practice for Frontline Workers: Sustaining Ourselves and Each OtherWorking in HIV/...
02/25/2026

UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Collective Care in Practice for Frontline Workers: Sustaining Ourselves and Each Other

Working in HIV/AIDS, Harm Reduction, and social services means holding space for others while navigating urgency, loss, stigma, and limited resources. This session focuses on collective care as a way to move beyond burnout and isolation by strengthening how teams support one another. Together, we’ll explore practical, shared approaches to care that honour lived experience, boundaries, and sustainability in frontline and peer-based work.

REGISTER THROUGH THE LINK IN OUR BIO.

Pink Shirt Day is an annual observation that takes place on the last Wednesday of February and this year, it falls on Fe...
02/25/2026

Pink Shirt Day is an annual observation that takes place on the last Wednesday of February and this year, it falls on February 25. People wear pink shirts to signify the stand against bullying. This day started in Canada and is now observed on various dates around the world.

As members of the 2SLGBTQ+ and HIV community many of us have been bullied for who we are. Let today be a day when we not only raise our voices against hate and those that choose to bully, but a day of remembrance as we grieve those who we have lost.

STAND UP!
FIGHT BACK!

Some books for Black History Month that we love! Rest is Resistance, Tricia HerseyTending Grief, Camille Sapara BartonLo...
02/24/2026

Some books for Black History Month that we love!

Rest is Resistance, Tricia Hersey
Tending Grief, Camille Sapara Barton
Love & Rage / The New Saints, Lama Rod Owens
Grieving While Black, Breeshia Wade
Emergent Strategy, adrienne maree brown

Observed annually on February 20, the World Day of Social Justice highlights the importance of addressing global challen...
02/20/2026

Observed annually on February 20, the World Day of Social Justice highlights the importance of addressing global challenges such as poverty, exclusion, unemployment, gender inequality, and human rights. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, this day advocates for social justice as a foundation for peace, equality, and sustainable development worldwide.

We know that in the HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction sector every day we continue to fight for Social Justice not just for those we work with today, those who we will work with tomorrow, but those who's shoulders we stand on...the warriors that blazed a trail.

Even though Black grief is multi-layered and constant, ACB grievers don't often have safer spaces dedicated to their gri...
02/19/2026

Even though Black grief is multi-layered and constant, ACB grievers don't often have safer spaces dedicated to their grief and bereavement. This is one of the benefits of affinity spaces where ACB workers can gather with other Black grievers to acknowledge and name their grief, share their feelings and thoughts, and do ongoing healing together.

February 17th 2026 is Random Acts of Kindness Day and is a wonderful occasion that encourages people to spread love, com...
02/16/2026

February 17th 2026 is Random Acts of Kindness Day and is a wonderful occasion that encourages people to spread love, compassion, and positivity through small, unexpected acts of kindness.

Random Acts of Kindness Day is a day dedicated to promoting kindness and goodwill. It encourages individuals to perform simple, unexpected acts of kindness to brighten someone’s day and create a ripple effect of positivity. It’s a day to celebrate the power of kindness and compassion.

So tomorrow when you are out and about in your lives, participate in a Random Act of Kindness for someone. This could paying for someone's coffee, leaving a positive note on a co-workers desk, or donating to your local A*O.

The Pink Triangle has a dark history. During World War II, it was used to identify and persecute homosexual men. Once a ...
02/13/2026

The Pink Triangle has a dark history. During World War II, it was used to identify and persecute homosexual men. Once a symbol of oppression, it has since been reclaimed by the 2SLGBTQ+ community as a powerful emblem of resistance, resilience, and the ongoing fight for rights, dignity, and recognition for all members of our community.

February 14th is often framed as a celebration of love. Yet for many members of our community—here in Canada and around the world—love is still met with punishment rather than protection. Rights are being stripped away, and people continue to face persecution not only for who they love, but for living openly and authentically as themselves.

The grief of anti-Black racism shows up not just as violence that ends in loss of life, but also in many losses that don...
02/12/2026

The grief of anti-Black racism shows up not just as violence that ends in loss of life, but also in many losses that don't involve death. Non-death grief and much more are explored in our Black Voices Locating our Grief resource. Follow the link in our bio to access the module.

This morning, many of us woke to the heartbreaking news of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC, where 10 people have ...
02/11/2026

This morning, many of us woke to the heartbreaking news of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC, where 10 people have lost their lives and 25 others have been injured.

Events like this can trigger Sudden Temporary Upsurges of Grief (STUGs), as they may bring back memories of other tragedies in our Canadian history. These responses are natural. Grief can resurface unexpectedly and feel intense, even if the event did not directly touch our own community.

If you find yourself experiencing a STUG moment, you may need to move more slowly today or extend extra care and compassion toward yourself. Please know that these temporary but powerful grief responses are normal.

Reach out to a friend, colleague, or someone within your support circle if you need connection or support. We do not have to carry moments like this alone.

We remember:
Weldon, Saskatchewan – September 2022
Portapique, Nova Scotia – April 2020
Toronto, Ontario – 2018
Quebec City, Quebec – January 2017
La Loche, Saskatchewan – January 2016
Montreal, Quebec – December 1989

In remembering, we honour those lost and acknowledge the impact these tragedies continue to have on all of us.

During reporting periods it can feel like we’re being asked to reduce the humanity of our service users and community me...
02/11/2026

During reporting periods it can feel like we’re being asked to reduce the humanity of our service users and community members to mere numbers. We may be reporting on service users who are no longer with us, often from their passing and sometimes from incarceration. The pain of these experiences makes reporting periods grief-filled times.

These swells of grief are known as Sudden Temporary Upsurges of Grief, or STUGs. These upsurges happen when anniversaries, seasons, holidays, or in this case, reporting periods, stir up our grief from previous losses and bring back feelings we might have thought we were “over”. If we know that reporting periods bring STUGs, we can plan ahead and prepare for the support and care we need, whether that is from supportive people or asking for workplace accommodations for this significant of workplace stress.

Join the conversation on Wednesday February 18th and share how you navigate Grief During the Reporting Period. Email Craig our TTOA Co-Ordinator at CraigBoucher@abrpo.org. This session is only for agencies funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau.

Check out the Love Positive Women implementation guide from WHAI for ideas on how to celebrate the women living with HI...
02/10/2026

Check out the Love Positive Women implementation guide from WHAI for ideas on how to celebrate the women living with HIV in your orgs and communities! https://whai.ca/

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