Material Type

Library

Date Range

2008

Physical Description

2 softcover booklets

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

The events that led to the creation of the Lethbridge AIDS Connection, now the Lethbridge HIV Connection, began in the 1980s. A working group was organized in the early 1980s involving people in the hospital care system, chronic care system, home care care system and the community at large with the objective of responding to the emergence of HIV in Lethbridge and southern Alberta. The group established training for nurses, paramedics and other health care workers with no previous experience of HIV/AIDS. The group also launched an education program for University of Lethbridge students. In 1986 Sister Anne Coady, a social worker at St. Michael's Hospital, led the creation of Lethbridge's first AIDS advocacy group. Doctors Barbara Lacey and Doug Myhre supported the advocacy group, along with a number of homosexual men living in the city. Meetings were held in the Lethbridge Health Unit, and people living with AIDS (PLWAs) were welcomed and provided with psychological support. In the late 1980s the Government of Alberta implemented the Provincial AIDS Program, which required that a community HIV/AIDS society be established to provide the services then offered by the Lethbridge Health Unit and AIDS advocacy group. On 21 June 1988 the Lethbridge AIDS Connection was incorporated under the provincial Societies Act. At present, the Lethbridge HIV Connection conducts extensive education programs targeting both the general population and specific community groups. The organization provides assistance to clients, and forms partnerships with other community organizations to further the goals of education / awareness and assistance to PLWAs. In 2001 the organization expanded its mandate to include people with Hepatitis C. In 2006 the Lethbridge HIV connection moved into a new 1,700 square foot building constructed on the site of its original office at 1206 6 Avenue South.

Language

English

Scope and Content

Two copies of the publication "Lethbridge HIV Connection Celebrating 20 Years of Caring".

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20081047000

Collection

Archive

Less detail