Q: How can the Support Program Coordinator/
Counsellor help me?
A: The Support Program Coordinator/Counsellor
has experience with many services in our communities that Asians
living with HIV/AIDS may need and he can help you access things
like financial assistance, immigration, medical professionals,
and treatment information. His role is to provide you with options
and help you evaluate and decide which ones may work best for
you. You may also need someone to talk with about the challenges
you are facing and the transitions you are going through. Talking
to someone you can trust can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Q: How do I make an appointment with the Support Program
Coordinator/Counsellor?
A: You may call or email the Support Program
Coordinator/Counsellor to set up an appointment any time between
Monday and Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you need to meet
outside these hours, other times can be arranged so please call
Tel:416-963-4300 Ext.22
Q: What happens at an appointment?
A: The Support Program Coordinator/Counsellor
can meet wherever you feel comfortable: the ACAS office, your
home, or at a coffee shop where you can talk about what is going
on in your life, what kinds of things you might need and how the
Support Program Coordinator/Counsellor can help you.
Q: How can I get help from your volunteer program?
A: When you meet with the Support Program Coordinator,
he can discuss which volunteer program best suits your needs and
help set you up with a volunteer.
Q:How can I make sure your services are confidential?
A: ACAS expects all staff and volunteers to
understand the importance of keeping confidential any and all
information they receive about ACAS clients. Confidential information
includes, but is not limited to, the identity, name, address,
phone numbers, HIV status, medical condition and treatment, sexual
orientation, financial situation, living arrangement, work situation,
relations with family members and other personal information.
The fact that an individual is a client or volunteer with ACAS
is sensitive information and will be treated as completely confidential.
ACAS understands that given the close-knit nature of Asian communities
and the tremendous stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, a breach of confidentiality
willfully or negligently could result in someone being fired from
work, evicted from housing, disowned by family and friends, as
well as open someone up to other forms of discrimination.
For the safety of clients, volunteers, and staff at ACAS, all
staff and volunteers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement
not to disclose any information of a personal or professional
nature to any person - even within the organization - who is not
authorized to have such information. Any violation of this Oath
of Confidentiality may result in a staff's or volunteer's resignation
or termination. This oath does not end upon the completion of
service at ACAS.
