2022-2023 Annual Report
Letter from Our Executive Director and Board Chair
Katie Ayres, Executive Director
Diane Dyer, Board Chair
We are delighted to present to you the 2022-23 SafeLink Alberta annual report. This report highlights the collective efforts, achievements, and impact we have made in the past year as we continue our mission to provide harm reduction programs and services to reduce the risks associated with sexual activity and substance use.
At SafeLink Alberta, we believe in approaching public health challenges with compassion, empathy, and evidence-based strategies. Our commitment to harm reduction stems from our understanding that individuals engaging in higher-risk behaviors are often the most underserved members of our communities. By acknowledging and addressing the complex realities they face, we strive to reduce the harms associated with these behaviors while promoting overall well-being and social inclusion.
Throughout this report, you will find an overview of our key initiatives and accomplishments from the past year. We will reflect on the positive outcomes we have achieved in collaboration with our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners. Together, we have worked tirelessly to provide essential services, support, and education.
We would like to take a moment to highlight three significant accomplishments of our organization over the past year:
- Increased Brand Awareness: In late March 2022, we underwent a rebranding from HIV Community Link to SafeLink Alberta. Over the past year, we have dedicated our efforts to raising awareness about our new name and mission. This involved obtaining new signage, promotional materials, and updating essential resources like our website.
- Introduction of New Agency Position Statements: We have recently published five new or updated agency position statements that outline our strong commitment to various important issues. These statements reflect our support for working from a harm reduction framework, the decriminalization of sex work, the decriminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure, the decriminalization of personal drug possession, and our endorsement of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) as an HIV prevention strategy. By expressing these positions, we can better advocate for the concerns that matter most to our clients.
- Development of 2023-2026 Strategic Plan: Our team has been diligently working on formulating a strategic plan that will guide our organization's endeavours over the next three years. This comprehensive plan will serve as a roadmap to help us achieve our long-term goals and objectives. We are thrilled to present our key priorities and goals for the period of 2023-2026 at the end of this report.
Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to our funders, donors, and partners who have generously supported us in our mission. Your contributions have enabled us to expand our reach, improve our programs, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals. Together, we are making progress towards a more compassionate and inclusive society.
- Katie Ayres, Executive Director and Dianne Dyer, Board Chair
Mission
To reduce the harms associated with sexual activity and substance use by offering low-barrier, non-judgemental, and informed programs and services.
VISION
Inclusive, Empowered, and Healthier Communities.
OUR ATTRIBUTES
Leading the Way, Human Connection, Through an Unbiased Lens, Authentic Education, Guided by Firsthand Knowledge
Join us in commemorating four decades of dedicated service as we celebrate our 40th anniversary.
Throughout our extensive journey, we have been unwavering in our commitment to serving the communities of Calgary and southern Alberta. Over the years, we have evolved and tailored our approach to meet the needs of priority populations, diligently working to minimize the potential risks linked to sexual activity and substance use. Our efforts have revolved around education, non-judgmental services, and the implementation of harm reduction programs. Read on to learn more about our journey and evolution.
Timeline
The Past:
Previously known as AIDS Calgary and then HIV Community Link, the organization spearheaded critical initiatives such as education, harm reduction programs, and unwavering support for those affected by HIV, hepatitis C, and other infections.
Today, SafeLink Alberta continues to dedicate itself to reducing risks associated with sexual activity and substance use, while advocating for priority populations in Calgary and southern Alberta.
Please exercise caution while exploring the media items from past years, as they may employ outdated and harmful terminology when referring to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, sex workers, HIV, and AIDS. We recognize that these narratives and language can be triggering, and we encourage you to approach them with care and sensitivity.
June 30, 1983:
Alberta becomes the second province in Canada to declare HIV/AIDS a notifiable disease. Calgary's gay community raises $10,000 to donate to the University of Calgary for AIDS research.
March 1982:
Canada reports its first case of HIV, a new and misunderstood virus that destroys the immune system.
March 1982:
Canada reports its first case of HIV, a new and misunderstood virus that destroys the immune system.
June 30, 1983:
Alberta becomes the second province in Canada to declare HIV/AIDS a notifiable disease. Calgary's gay community raises $10,000 to donate to the University of Calgary for AIDS research.
1994:
First Calgary AIDS Walk (AIDS Walk for Life)
1998:
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is trialed in San Francisco.
1994:
First Calgary AIDS Walk (AIDS Walk for Life)
2003:
North America's first official supervised injection site opens in Vancouver's Downtown East Side, providing safer injection supplies and helping reduce HIV rates for people who inject substances.
2005:
Health Canada approves rapid HIV antibody testing providing HIV test results in two minutes.
2007:
AIDS Calgary takes over the Shift Program, which uses a harm reduction and rights-based approach to work with adults involved in sex work and assist them in improving their quality of life and reaching their individualized goals.
2008: AIDS Calgary engages the University of Calgary department of Social Work to carry out research in African communities to find out what was fuelling the continued risk of HIV. The program is initially called The Right To Know and rebrands in 2015 to the Drumbeat African Communities Program.
2010: AIDS Calgary is asked by the Government of Alberta to manage STBBI prevention, education, and support delivery in the Medicine Hat & Brooks area, as well as the Bow Valley region.
2013: AIDS Calgary Awareness Association becomes HIV Community Link to better reflect the services offered with a focus on health promotion, increasing access to testing, delivering effective harm reduction programs, and reducing the stigma associated with HIV. Calgary is also removed from the name as programs and services expand to other locations in Southern Alberta.
2016: HIVCL is approached by the NDP Government and asked to complete a needs assessment for supervised consumption services (SCS) in Calgary and Medicine Hat communities. For the next three years, they work to secure SCS sites in both cities.
2018: Canada becomes the first country to publicly endorse U=U (undetectable = untransmittable).
2019: Funding for the implementation of the two SCS sites is cancelled.
March 29, 2022:
HIV Community Link rebrands as SafeLink Alberta. SafeLink Alberta works to reduce the risks associated with sexual activity and substance use. We serve and advocate for priority populations in Calgary and southern Alberta by providing education, non-judgmental services, and harm reduction programming. SafeLink Alberta continues our commitment to supporting those affected by HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
The Present:
SafeLink Alberta has office locations in Medicine Hat and Calgary, serving:
- People living with HIV/HCV
- Sex workers
- Ethnocultural communities, with a focus on African, Caribbean, & Black (ACB) communities
- Cis and trans; gay, bi & queer guys
- Indigenous communities
- People who use substances
- People of reproductive age and ability (Well Program, Medicine Hat)
In both locations, our teams provide basic needs items (food, hygiene items), safer sex and substance use supplies, Naloxone, emotional support, system navigation and case management, peer supports for people living with HIV and sex workers, access to low barrier STBBI testing including on site clinics or self testing options, individualized education and information, and referrals to housing and treatment supports.
We also provide needle debris response in Medicine Hat, and education presentations, workshops, and webinars designed for service providers of the above communities across southern Alberta.
Education Program Highlights 2022-23
Best Practices for Supporting People Who Use Substances Toolkit
In 2022, SafeLink Alberta conducted an extensive review of available literature and consulted with people with lived and living experience, service providers who support people who use substances, and other industry experts to inform our Best Practices for Supporting People Who Use Substances Toolkit, with the intention of reducing barriers and enhancing pathways to care for people who use substances. This toolkit was a labour of love. While we have long valued and prioritized the meaningful involvement of people with lived and living experience, implementation of these toolkit elements elevated us to another level; it is no exaggeration to say that this one funder output significantly impacted our organizational identity and practices. The toolkit is now available online at safelinkalberta.ca/suap-toolkit
Invitation to Speak at AIDS 2022
SafeLink Alberta was invited by Health Canada to join a panel of speakers at the AIDS 2022 conference in Montreal, hosted by the International AIDS Society (IAS). This is one of the most prestigious HIV conferences on HIV Science and the HIV Research, and we were honoured to speak.
Karyn Jackson, Manager of Education at SafeLink Alberta, joined representatives from four other Government of Canada funded projects for a session titled Harm Reduction on the front lines in Canada. The session showcased innovative harm reduction programs and initiatives by community-based organizations to an international audience. Jackson presented on our Substance Use Education Project and our inclusion of people with lived or living experience in project design and delivery.
For our dedicated education team, challenging ideas about sex, drugs, and human rights on a regular basis is our jam. Our passion lies in transforming attitudes about harm reduction. We understand to support positive change, we must prioritize health re-education to include the voices of people with lived/living experience to incorporate and reflect the diverse communities we serve.
What sets us apart is our unique ability to examine fundamental concepts in harm reduction policy, research, health promotion, and best practices while actively engaging with impacted communities. We foster trust and understanding by creating meaningful connections and by bridging theory and practice.
Community Engagement for Building the
Party n’ Play Project
In the Summer and Fall of 2022, Education team members connected with an impressive 43 people with lived and living experience and conducted community consultations with several non-profit organizations to build a training for service providers supporting people who engage in the practice of chemsex (or Party 'n' Play /PNP as its more commonly known).
From these consultations, we were able to build a three-hour training that takes participants through what this phenomenon is in practice, as well as motivations behind it and in-depth harm reduction and recovery strategies to support those engaging.
168 Training Sessions
3,653 People Trained
Calgary Support Services Highlights 2022-23
New office space:
The new space has a direct entry, making it more accessible for clients and offers more meeting, storage, and gathering spaces.
SUPPORTing people living with hiv:
There has been a notable increase in legacy clients returning for case management, as well as an increase in immigrants accessing services. Program staff have collaborated closely with newcomer serving agencies to provide support to newcomers.
Expansion to rural and remote areas:
We expanded our support services to include Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, and High River in the Calgary health zone. This expansion helps community members in these areas access sterile supplies and receive information on disease prevention and safety.
International Sex Workers' Day event:
The Shift Program, in collaboration with sex workers from the advisory committee, organized an event celebrating International Sex Workers' Day, shining a spotlight on the strength and unity of sex workers.
Expanded access to STI testing:
Testing access was expanded to include a series of clinics at a local alternative lifestyles club. The team also distributed 92 HIV self-testing kits, enhancing accessibility for community members.
Connection to indigenous culture:
The ability to create a space where guests feel comfortable, engage in conversations, participate in smudging, and be present is a significant success. The success lies in providing guests with a pathway to connect with their culture, helping them find themselves and their way.
drug safety and harm reduction support:
The team actively updates the 'Drug Alert' board with current drug supply information, raising awareness about emerging substances like benzodiazepines and xylazine, providing harm reduction tips, and facilitating distribution of fentanyl test strips.
Community events:
The team attended a variety of events such as the Taboo Sex show, Kinky Flea Markets, Telus Spark after Dark, Cowboys Drag Brunch, post-secondary institutions, and various Pride events to share information about who we are, and provide safer sex and safer drug use supplies, HIV self-testing kits, and Naloxone kits.
Agency Statistics
4672 Naloxone Kits were distributed
174,412 safer consumption supplies were distributed
185 referrals were made for detox/treatment programs
248,633 safer sex supplies were distributed
6120 drop-in contacts were supported
36 HIV peer support groups were held
60 STI testing clinics were held
Medicine Hat Support Services Highlights 2022-23
The team delivered Nasal Naloxone training to 60 community members and Universal Precautions training to 175 service providers across Medicine Hat.
Training and education:
Needle Debris Program:
Our Needle Debris Hotline responded to 70 calls this year and disposed of 308.5kg of materials. Additionally, we added decals to wall-mounted biohazard containers, displaying our contact information and a QR code linking to our website.
Well Program:
In the past year, there were 20 active clients and 5 babies born to the Well Program. In addition, staff were able to facilitate expedited access to detox and treatment for 2 pregnant women.
HIV self-test kits:
All staff members were trained in the administration of HIV self-test kits. 89 kits were distributed to community members.
On-site STBBI testing and follow-up services:
A monthly partnership with AHS for on-site STBBI testing began in June 2022, with 42 people tested in the drop-in space over the last year. We also provide follow-up services for treatment and support.
Dope discussions
The Education Team launched Dope Discussions - which are street based advisory events where members of our team connect with individuals who are street involved and using substances, asking specific questions and compensating folks for their participation. Questions for these events focus on drug trends and knowledge of practices, which then guides the programming and education offered by our team.
Team Insights
"A major success for our team has been the relationship-building and reoccurring client interactions we’ve had both out on street outreach, as well as in the drop-in space. These interactions are entries into engaging with different agency programs, and opportunities for reconnection with clients that have often fallen through the cracks of Calgary’s systems."
~ Alex and Console, Calgary Harm Reduction Outreach Workers
“The work we do spreads kindness and compassion; it lets the more vulnerable community members know that they are cared for and thought about.”
~ Christa, Lead, Outreach and Peer Support Services, Medicine Hat
“I love getting to engage with community members and create a space where everyone feels welcome and valued. My work allows me to share my passion for harm reduction and sexual health by providing education and empowering people to make choices that work best for them.”
~ Kayla, Medicine Hat Harm Reduction Outreach Worker
“This work allows me to provide low-barrier services that are focused on treating all community members with humanity, dignity, and respect. I am able to practice my personal values in a professional setting.”
~ Shyanne, Medicine Hat Harm Reduction Outreach Worker
“Ensuring that pregnant people who use drugs receive supports also ensures improved outcomes for children when they are born. Healthier families create healthier communities. The Well team believes that fighting marginalization and increasing personal autonomy for our participants leads to a community that is safer, more stable, and ultimately more compassionate for everyone.”
~ Chelsey, Registered Nurse, Well Program, Medicine Hat
“I am passionate about Education because I am poised to change people’s minds about harm reduction and empower them to support those who have been pushed to the margins. In the end it's about love - harm reduction is love in action."
~ Chris, Education Coordinator
"I am passionate about Education because education is more than teaching. It’s sharing of knowledge, empowerment, and relationship building – it’s a platform for change. Plus, I get to talk about sex, drugs, and human rights all the time.”
~ Karyn, Manager, Education
“With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the accessibility of our new space, we’ve seen a significant increase in clients accessing our drop in space. While we feel such gratitude for those who trust us to support them, overall capacity to support the drop in space, community events, street outreach, and case management has been an ongoing challenge.
~ Monika, Manager, Calgary Support Services
Diversity
Equity
& Inclusion Strategy
Over the past year, our DEI Committee has collaborated closely with GEDI Hub, an initiative of Gateway Association, to look at our policies & practices through an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens. This has led to guided conversations and training for our staff on topics such as anti-racism, and power & privilege. Additionally, we have actively engaged in meaningful activities related to Truth and Reconciliation, while integrating our commitment to DEI into our recruitment and hiring practices.
Furthermore, we have prioritized the inclusion and empowerment of people with lived or living experience (PWLLE) by adhering to the principles of "nothing about us without us." We have strived to create equitable opportunities for PWLLE in our educational and programmatic endeavours, while establishing agency-wide standards for fair compensation.
Looking ahead, our newly devised 2023-2026 Strategic Plan ensures that our efforts in this crucial area will continue. We will be focusing on developing a collaborative code of conduct, issuing a declarative statement to reaffirm our support for DEI and anti-racism work, and implementing a multifaceted DEI training strategy to engage, educate, and inspire employees to embrace anti-racism and inclusivity in their thinking and actions. Moreover, we will be working to continuously enhance our human resources policies to systematically embed anti-racism in our onboarding processes and employee retention efforts.
2022 - 2023 Financial Overview
Grants
Fundraising
6.1%
Other
1.1%
Government Funding
86%
TOTAL REVENUE
Government Funding - 85.99%
Grants and Foundations - 6.82%
Fundraising - 6.09%
Other - 1.09%
Total: $2,337,389
Administration
9.3%
Fundraising
5.5%
Service & Delivery
85.2%
TOTAL EXPENSES
Service and Delivery - 85.22%
Fundraising - 5.45%
Administration - 9.33%
Total: $2,316,676
Step into a future where compassion, understanding, and progress have ushered in a new era of treating people with humanity, dignity and respect.
Imagine a society where stigma and judgment have been replaced by empathy and evidence-based strategies. Our societal focus has shifted from punishment to healing, from isolation to inclusion, and from denial to empowerment.
The Future
In this world, harm reduction is a comprehensive and accessible framework that embraces the well-being of every unique individual.
In this future harm reduction starts with education. Communities are equipped with accurate and unbiased information about substances, substance use, mental health, sex, and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
Medical professionals are trained in harm reduction principles. Safe consumption sites provide a retreat for individuals to use substances under the supervision of trained staff. These sites offer clean equipment, drug poisoning prevention measures, and a welcoming environment that fosters trust and human connection.
In this world personal drug possession is not a crime, but is approached from a public health and human rights lens.
In this future, the decriminalization of drug possession has meant that instead of incarceration, individuals are directed towards support networks, counselling, and treatment options, allowing individuals to live their lives with dignity.
Affordable housing, job training, and employment assistance programs create pathways for stability and independence. Recognizing that substance use often stems from systemic issues such as poverty, trauma, and inequality, society invests in holistic solutions that address the underlying social determinants of health.
In this world, being HIV positive is not a crime.
Individuals living with HIV are empowered to engage in open and honest conversations about their status without fear of criminal repercussions. By fostering an environment that encourages disclosure, we promote a culture of trust and responsibility, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being.
In this future, the U=U message resonates globally
Communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers unite under the banner of scientific evidence. It is understood that an undetectable viral load, achieved through consistent medication adherence and medical guidance, renders HIV untransmittable. By embracing the U=U declaration, this future marks a significant milestone in the fight against HIV and there is a profound shift in public perception, recognizing that individuals living with HIV pose no risk of transmitting the virus to their sexual partners. This declaration shatters the stigma associated with HIV and challenges outdated beliefs, allowing for a society that values the dignity and agency of all.
In this world sex work is work.
Imagine a world where the stigma and discrimination that have plagued the lives of sex workers are replaced with understanding, acceptance, and legal protection. Sex work is recognized as work—just like any other profession—and is afforded the same rights and protections as any individual engaged in lawful employment.
In this future, comprehensive laws and policies are in place to protect the rights and well-being of sex workers. Occupational health and safety standards ensure a safe working environment, empowering individuals to assert control over their bodies and choices. Anti-discrimination laws prevent mistreatment and ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of their involvement in the sex industry.
This world is not a distant dream, but an attainable reality, driven by compassion, human rights, and the belief in individual autonomy.
Presenting Our 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities
Create and Foster a Resilient and Responsive Organization
- Strengthen our provincial presence as a leader in harm reduction.
- Advocate for the communities we serve utilizing approved agency position statements.
- Achieve service delivery excellence.
Be a Community Partner and Employer of Choice
- Create and execute a resilient 2023-2026 fund development strategy.
- Embrace intentional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Be Leaders in Harm Reduction
- Review, refresh, and promote the organization’s values.
- Be an employer of choice.
- Be a community partner of choice.
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Special Thanks to the following Funders & Donors
Thank you for your support over this past year!
Alberta Health
Anonymous Donor
ATCO Epic
Calgary Foundation
Calgary Foundation; AIDS Calgary Awareness Association Fund
Calgary Foundation; Love & Light Mercy Fund
The Canadian Women’s Foundation
City of Calgary
The City of Medicine Hat
Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta
Government of Canada - Canada Summer Jobs
Health Canada
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch (ISCCA)
MAC Cosmetics
Nickle Family Foundation
Public Health Agency of Canada
RBC Foundation
Save On Foods
TD Bank
Urban Fare Mount Royal
Women and Gender Equality Canada
Viiv HealthCare
Medicine Hat Location
411 N Railway St SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2Z3
403. 527.5882