AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan provides various services to support those living with HIV/AIDS including support services, education/outreach, a needle exchange program, drop-in center, and two support groups. Services include counseling, harm reduction resources, testing, food/coffee, housing support, and group meetings. The organization aims to meet practical and health needs while reducing stigma around HIV/AIDS.

1. AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan Programs & ServicesQuick Reference
AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan
2911 5th Avenue Regina, SK S4T 0L4
Office Phone: 306-924-8420 or 306-924-8421 Toll Free Line: 1-877-210-7623
Support Services Coordinator (Mondays to Fridays unless otherwise requested)
Morag
306-924-8421 or 306-529-8196
Direct one-on-one support to HIV+ clients in and out of office
Education and Outreach (Mondays to Fridays unless otherwise requested)
Bobbi and Kasey
306-924-8420
Presentations about HIV/AIDS, stigma, testing and care, harm reduction and Hepatitis C
Information booths, promotion of the agency, programs and services, community
engagement
Needle Exchange Program (Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm; Saturdays 10am to 5pm)
Kayla and Andrew
306-924-8420
Offers new and clean drug equipment including needles, sharps containers, tourniquets,
alcohol swabs, sterile water, filters and cookers
Harm reduction counselling
Provide information about HIV, STI and Hepatitis C testing
Drop In Centre (Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm; Saturdays 10am to 5pm)
Kayla and Andrew
306-924-8420
Daily coffee, toast, water (sometimes treats)
Public telephone for outgoing calls
Resources including pamphlets, event posters, phone numbers
Agency and food bank referrals, provide housing list and other information
Circle of Courage Support Group (Bi-weekly Wednesday’s offsite)
Krista Shore
306-924-8420
Can be self-referred or referred by other resource
Bi-weekly support group for HIV+ women who are mothers or expectant mothers
Anyone at Risk Support Group (Thursday evenings beginning at 5pm)
Dan Lindsay & Norma Jean Byrd
306-924-8420
Open to everyone with discussion surrounding addictions, mental health, homelessness,
barriers to service, sexual health, cultural support and anything else the participants
wish to discuss

2. AIDS Programs South SaskatchewanDetailed Reference
Support Services
The support services program works directly with people living with HIV/AIDS. Our
support services is built upon the understanding that the capacity to manage and
maintain health while living with HIV/AIDS is determined, in part, by factors such as
income level, housing, access to care, access to health services, access to quality health
care, and individual coping skills. The Support Services Coordinator works in
conjunction with individuals to determine personal needs and together design
supportive plans which may include but are not limited to: practical needs (food,
clothing), health services (transportation, education, medication, and nutrition), support
(counseling, alternative treatments), housing issues and referrals to other agencies. The
Support Services Coordinator provides support on a one to one basis; the coordinator
makes home visits, hospital visits, plans social activities with client and meets the client
where they are at. If clients wish to disclose their positive status to individuals or in a
family or friend setting, the coordinator aids in facilitating the conversation while
debunking myths and enhancing education around HIV/AIDS. Our Support Services
Coordinator, through the Jerome Nagel and Ric Ranger wellness fund can provide
financial support to positive clients including help with medication, transportation,
infant formula, and psychological counselling.
Education and Outreach
The education and outreach program provide information and resources to everyone.
Through the program, the team works to increase awareness around HIV/AIDS in the
province and reduce the stigma associated with the disease. In addition to
presentations, we have also been involved in events where we were able to set up
information booths and provide information to volunteers, prospective students, the
general public and any other sources looking for information.
Needle Exchange Program
We operate six days a week, Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to
5pm. Individuals accessing the program are provided with various services including
harm reduction counselling, new and clean injection drug use supplies,and referrals. The
needle exchange program is confidential and discrete. Individuals can collect items from
our exchange including tourniquets (ties), filters, alcohol swabs, sterile water, cookers
and needles. We also provide condoms to all individuals accessing programs and
services at our office. Our staff, volunteers and students also do community needle
pickups and provide individuals with instructions on how to safely collect and discard
needles found in the community.

3. Drop In Centre
The drop in centre is open the same hours as the needle exchange program, Mondays to
Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 5pm. Our drop in centre provides coffee,
toast and water daily. The centre also has plenty of information available including
posters about events, agency pamphlets and agency phone numbers. Individuals who
visit the drop in centre also have access to a public telephone, can complete food bank
referrals and seek support from staff.
We also have many additional supports in our drop in weekly:
Tuesday afternoons: RQHR Addictions Counsellor provides individuals with support,
referrals to treatment and programming.
Wednesday mornings: Carmichael Outreach housing support.
Thursday afternoons: RQHR Nurse Patti comes to the office providing HIV, STI,
Pregnancy and Hep C testing to individuals.
Circle of Courage Support Group
The Circle of Courage support group is offered offsite bi-weekly on Wednesday.
Individuals can self-refer or be referred by other sources. This unique program focuses
on HIV-positive women with children who may or may not be HIV-positive, women who
are caring for adopted and foster HIV-positive children, and HIV-positive women who
are considering pregnancy. This peer-based support group focuses on empowering,
encouraging, supporting and educating the participants about HIV, HIV medications and
side effects, and provides a safe and confidential place for people to share. The group
explores issues of isolation, discrimination, stigma and depression. Participants
determine what direction each session takes. The group meets two times per month.
The long-term goal is for the participants to become mentors to other HIV-positive
women who may be considering pregnancy or who are already pregnant.
Anyone at Risk Support Group
The Anyone At Risk Support Group meets on Thursday evenings inour drop inbeginning
at 5:00pm. The group is facilitated by Dan Lindsay and Elder Norma Jean Byrd. There is
childcare available to individuals attending the group. Supper is also provided. Everyone
is welcome to attend. The Elder provides some teaching each week, and each walk
clients have an opportunity to share and discuss what is going on in their lives during a
talking circle. Rides can be provided as needed. Please contact the APSS office for more
information. Phone 924-8420.