Community Innovation Program 2004

The GlaxoSmithKline - Shire BioChem Community Innovation Program promotes innovative projects that meet the needs of targeted groups of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) who face greater difficulty gaining access to services, antiretroviral treatment and the health system.

Ten non-profit organizations across Canada shared the $100,000 available in 2004 through the Program. To date, the Program has granted $960,000 to community-based AIDS service organizations in Canada.

Grants are funded by the GlaxoSmithKline Foundation in partnership with Shire BioChem. This year's Program recipients, and the amounts of their grants, are as follows:

AIDS Vancouver - $15,000

In collaboration with other health-care agencies, to deliver sustained in-home support to address the health, psycho-social and practical assistance needs of families living with HIV.

Centre for AIDS Services Montréal Women - $7,000

To develop and implement peer-delivered treatment education programming for Spanish speaking HIV+ women in Montréal.

Coalition Sida des Sourds du Québec - $11,000

In cooperation with CPAVIH, to deliver treatment counselling services and create visually accessible treatment education materials for hearing-impaired francophone PHAs.

Kali Shiva AIDS Services - $10,000

Building on recent community-based research findings, to improve access to care and treatment for HIV+ women living in Manitoba through enhancements to programming and resource tool development.

Maison Plein Coeur - $10,000

Based on results from a CIP 2002 grant, to establish a life-environment visits program to enhance adherence and treatment outcomes for HIV+ women from endemic countries.

Peterborough AIDS Resource Network - $7,000

Using donated computers, to enhance the capacity of rural PHA clients through an in-home loan program to access treatment information and care and support services, thereby reducing their isolation.

Positive Living North - No keheyoh t'shi'en t'schena - $12,500

In collaboration with rural aboriginal community members, rural AIDS service organizations and an action research team, to evaluate rural and semi-rural aboriginal PHAs current experiences accessing antiretroviral treatment and healthcare, thereby creating on-going partnerships for program development and evaluation.

The Teresa Group - $10,000

In collaboration with two Toronto hospitals, to develop and launch a prenatal support and care program for HIV+ women, and a mom and tot parenting and support group for HIV+ women with children aged 1-4 years.

Vancouver Native Health Society - $7,500

To develop an art circle for isolated aboriginal HIV+ women, thereby facilitating their access to the agency's existing treatment education, care and support programs.

Voices of Positive Women Support Services - $10,000

In collaboration with HIV clinic staff, AIDS service organizations and community health centres, to develop and deliver HIV+ women-specific treatment information forums in up to seven communities outside the Toronto region.