ABRPO

ABRPO supports ASOs 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

07/14/2026

Today, on Non-Binary People's Day, we recognize and celebrate the resilience, contributions, and experiences of non-binary people within our communities.

We also acknowledge that grief in the HIV and Harm Reduction sectors is not experienced equally by everyone. Non-binary people continue to face systemic barriers, stigma, and erasure within healthcare and social services—realities that can deepen experiences of loss, isolation, and disenfranchised grief.

Within HIV and Harm Reduction communities, grief is often ongoing. It can include the loss of friends and chosen family, safety, access to affirming care, and spaces where identity is respected and valued. For Non-Binary Peers, Workers, and Community Members, these experiences of grief are often compounded by discrimination, exclusion, and a lack of culturally responsive support.

Honouring Non-Binary People's Day means more than celebrating identity—it means recognizing the unique challenges non-binary people face and committing to creating safer, gender-affirming spaces where people are seen, respected, and supported in ways that honour who they are.

Today, and every day, we commit to centering Non-Binary voices and advocating for HIV and Harm Reduction systems rooted in dignity, equity, affirmation, and care.

07/13/2026

To help support Peers in the HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction sectors, we are launching a series of four Group Grief Support Sessions in July, September, December, and March. These sessions are designed to provide a safe and supportive space for Peers to come together, acknowledge our collective grief, and support one another.

Each session will begin with 15–20 minutes of grief education focused on topics relevant to our communities, followed by an open discussion where participants can share experiences, reflect, listen, and connect with others who understand the unique realities of grief in the HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction sectors.

Our first session, taking place on July 15, will focus on grief during pride season. While Pride is a time of celebration, connection, visibility, and resilience, it can also bring memories of the many friends, loved ones, and community members we have lost over the years to HIV/AIDS and the toxic drug crisis. There are also numerous non-death related losses such as safety, belonging, and connections. For many, Pride can hold both joy and grief at the same time.

Together, we can honour those we have lost, recognize the impact of ongoing loss within our communities, and support one another as we continue to heal, survive, and thrive.

To register, please email Craig Boucher, TTOA Coordinator, at [email protected]

07/10/2026

The TTOA Peer Engagement Facilitation Training was created by Peers, for Peers.

Developed between 2008 and 2011 through a partnership with PHA Programs at the OAN, this training is rooted in the knowledge, experiences, and leadership of people living with HIV. Built through collaboration with Peers, Workers, and Agencies across Ontario, it continues to provide a strong foundation for meaningful Peer engagement in our communities.

The training combines interactive online learning, accessible manuals, and facilitated debrief sessions to support connection, reflection, and skill development. Participants build confidence, strengthen facilitation skills, and learn how to develop and lead workshops grounded in lived and living experience.

Interested in bringing the TTOA Peer Engagement Facilitation Training to your agency?

Contact Craig Boucher, TTOA Co-Ordinator: [email protected]

07/09/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 31, 2026

Call for Applications: ABRPO Advisory Committee

The AIDS Bereavement and Resiliency Program of Ontario (ABRPO) is seeking committed and passionate individuals from across Ontario to join its Advisory Committee. This committee will play a critical role in guiding ABRPO’s work to support individuals, organizations, and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS-related grief, trauma, and loss.

To learn more about the role, please visit the link in our bio.

07/07/2026

This Non-Binary Awareness Week, we recognize that grief in the HIV and Harm Reduction sectors is not experienced the same by everyone.

Non-binary people continue to face systemic barriers, stigma, and erasure in healthcare and social services - realities that can deepen experiences of loss, isolation, and disenfranchised grief.

Within HIV and Harm Reduction communities, grief can be ongoing: the loss of friends and chosen family, safety, access to affirming care, and spaces where identity is respected. For Non-Binary Peers, Workers and Community Members, these layers of grief are often compounded by discrimination and a lack of culturally competent support.

Affirming Non-Binary identities in grief work means more than inclusion - it means actively creating safer, gender-affirming spaces where people are seen, respected, and supported in ways that honour who they are.

This week, and every week, we commit to centering Non-Binary voices and building HIV and Harm Reduction systems rooted in dignity, equity, and care.

07/03/2026

Last month at our TTOA session, Peers and Workers came together to discuss Peer Appreciation Week, taking place October 12 - 16, 2026.

There were so many thoughtful and creative ideas shared about how agencies can recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Peers. Some of the suggestions included:

- Managers and Executive Directors personally thanking Peers for their work and contributions.
- Creating a Peer Award in honour of a long-term Peer who has passed away, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire others.
- Managers and Executive Directors participating in a Peer shift to gain a deeper understanding of the role and its impact.
- Offering additional professional development opportunities, such as training in trauma-informed care, impact debriefing, self-care, and wellness.
- Providing opportunities for Peers to share their experiences, successes, and contributions within the organization.
- Hosting appreciation events, lunches, or gatherings that celebrate Peer achievements and foster connection.
- Recognizing the unique expertise that comes from lived and living experience and the critical role Peers play in supporting communities.

Peer Appreciation Week is an opportunity to honour the dedication, compassion, leadership, and expertise that Peers bring to their work every day. Their contributions strengthen programs, build trust within communities, and create meaningful change in the lives of those they support.

07/01/2026

While July 1st is a national day of celebration for many across Canada, it is also a day to pause and reflect on the injustices that have occurred throughout our country's 159-year history.

As we recognize Canada's achievements, we must also acknowledge the harms experienced by Indigenous Peoples, including the ongoing impacts of colonization, residential schools, systemic discrimination, and the inequities that continue to affect communities today.

Reflection, truth, and reconciliation are essential parts of building a more just, equitable, and inclusive Canada for everyone.

06/29/2026

June 28, 1969 marked a turning point in 2SLGBTQ+ history. The Stonewall Riots were not just a moment in New York City - they were an ignition point for a global fight for visibility, dignity, and rights that continues to shape our communities today.

Stonewalls legacy reminds us that progress has always been driven by those who refused to stay silent in the face of injustice. Many of those at the forefront were Trans women, drag queens, and q***r people of colour - communities who continue to lead with courage, resistance, and resilience.

As we honour this history, we also hold space for grief and loss. We remember those we have lost to HIV, overdose, violence, and systemic neglect - and recognize how these losses continue to shape our communities today.

As we reflect, we recommit to building a future where all 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada are safe, seen, and free—and where both celebration and grief are held with care.

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Sherbourne Street
Toronto, ON
M4X1K9

Website

https://abrpo.org/

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