WHO WE ARE

The African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO) is a provincial organization that provides strategic leadership in response to HIV/AIDS in African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in Ontario.  ACCHO came into existence as a result of the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS within ACB communities due to anti-Black racism and other social and economic determinants of health.  We are committed to facilitating systemic change that will amplify the voices and better the lives of ACB people living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV/AIDS.

WHAT WE DO

We respond to HIV/AIDS within ACB communities using an intersectional approach to our work, including the meaningful involvement and engagement of ACB people living with HIV/AIDS, a continually-evolving analysis of anti-Black racism and other overlapping systems of oppression. 

We seek excellence as we:

  • Build capacity of service providers and other frontline workers to respond to HIV/AIDS in ACB communities through trainings, workshops, and other educational activities.
  • Develop resources that inform, provide guidance, inspire action and promote wellbeing.
  • Consult and collaborate with our diverse ACB communities, AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), and other service providers working with and within our communities.
  • Create opportunities for conversations and partnerships at a community, network, and sector level.
  • Catalyze, support, and promote respectful, ethical research with and for ACB communities that addresses community needs.
  • Engage with leaders and decision-makers to influence policy, programming, and services for ACB communities.

How We Do Our Work

Embrace our diversity:

We acknowledge and affirm the commonality and diversity that exists within and among our ACB communities in Ontario.

Serve with passion, love, and understanding:

We treat our ACB communities and each other with care, respect, and warmth.

Think big and collaborate:

We stay curious, partner with others, and work ambitiously.

Act with Accountability:

We embody honesty, integrity, and justice in our work with our ACB communities and stakeholders, and we take responsibility for our actions.

Take fun seriously:

We celebrate achievements, build on traditions, and create moments of joy.

Our Guiding

Principles

The ACB

Strategy

Our History

Milestones

ACB Strategy

Workers

Brand Guidelines

View ACCHO’s brand guidelines here.

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Our work at ACCHO is guided by the belief that:

ONE

HIV infection among African, Caribbean and Black people is an urgent issue that requires immediate attention and dedication of resources towards prevention of HIV transmission and towards the care, treatment and support of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

two

Efforts to address HIV among African, Caribbean and Black people requires consultation and collaboration with community members and with service providers working with and within these communities

three

Community-based responses to HIV/AIDS among African, Caribbean and Black communities call for acknowledgement of the diversity within and between African, Caribbean and Black communities across Ontario. This diversity includes, but is not limited to national origin, language, culture, religion, immigration status, area of residence, gender, age, class and sexual orientation.

four

Programs and services for African, Caribbean and Black people should involve them in decision-making roles; be culturally competent; and be accessible and relevant to all African, Caribbean and Black people, including children and youth, women, men, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people who use injection drugs.

five

HIV programming needs to work within a broad social framework that addresses the determinants of health, and systemic issues such as racism, homophobia, and gender inequity

SIX

Research with African, Caribbean and Black communities should address community needs, should involve members of the community, and must be respectful and ethical.

The ACB Strategy

READ THE STRATEGY

In 2013, ACCHO launched the Ontario HIV/AIDS Strategy for African, Caribbean and Black Communities 2013-2018 (the ACB Strategy) – extended to 2021 – replacing the previous Strategy to Address Issues Related to HIV Faced by People in Ontario From Countries Where HIV is Endemic, launched in 2005.

The renewed ACB Strategy provides a framework for the response to HIV/AIDS in Ontario’s African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities in the areas of prevention, education, policy, health promotion, care, support and research.

Highlights of some key ACCHO milestones that show our journey from inception to today.

ACB Strategy was Launched

The first of its kind in Canada. A Springboard for groundbreaking, innovative, and necessary HIV/AIDS responses in ACB community.

2005
ACCHO is Formedto implement the strategy and is officially launched with the support of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long –Term Care and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).2005
First African and Caribbean HIV/AIDS Research Summit.

This was a partnership between ACCHO, Women's Health in Women's Hands (WHIWH) Community Health Centre and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network. The Summit brought together researchers, service providers, policy makers, PHAs and community members to network, share knowledge and develop research priorities.

2006-2016
ACCHO Prevention Campaign - Keep It Alive.

The "Keep It Alive" campaign was a direct response to a directive contained in the ACB Strategy to "Break the silence and create a supportive environment for prevention work," coupled with the results from ACCHO's research HIV/AIDS Stigma, Denial, Fear and Discrimination: Experiences and Responses of People from African and Caribbean Communities in Toronto.

2006
Ontario African and Caribbean PHA Summit 2008
Ontario Black Gay Men’s Summit 2010
It takes Courage

A call to action to members of the African, Caribbean and Black community. It is a clear statement of one’s position to support and welcome people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

2016
Ontario African and Caribbean PHA Summit2018
ACB GBMSM Dialogue in partnership with Black CAP and the GMSH2019
The Care Collective

An HIV testing initiative encouraging ACB women in Ontario to make HIV testing a part of their radical selfcare.

2019

ACB Strategy Workers

connect

ACB Strategy Worker is an in-house harmonized term used only by ACCHO to identify the designated positions funded by the AIDS Bureau to support the implementation of the ACB Strategy.

WHERE?
There are 15 ACCHO ACB Strategy Workers in 14 agencies across Ontario that support our local ACB communities. Get in touch with a Strategy Worker near you to get information and support on HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and care.

WHY?
With leadership from ACB Strategy Workers in agencies across Ontario, communities have taken up the challenge and are doing their part to reduce the growing number of infections in the ACB population and to meet the needs of ACB people living with, or at risk for HIV/AIDS. Despite these important and significant efforts, much remains to be done.