PARN has MOVED!

As of April 1st, PARN has moved to a new location.
Visit us at our new address: 60 Hunter Street East, 2nd floor, Peterborough, K9H 1G5

Two people, showing only hands, one is a skilled professional drawing blood, the other is being tested for HIV.

Order a free HIV self-test

PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network is piloting GetaKit, an HIV self-test delivery program. GetaKit by PARN is designed to make HIV self-testing available in Four Counties (Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborouh, City of Kawartha Lakes) for residents 16 years or older, who identity as gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men. 

Our Mission

PARN (Peterborough AIDS Resource Network) is a community based agency providing support and health promotion for people HIV-infected and HIV-affected. PARN provides education for people at risk for HIV and awareness of HIV issues to the broader community.

Our Goals

  • To promote the well-being and independence of people living with or at risk for HIV and/or AIDS in the counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes by providing services such as: counseling, workshops, and information on progression and treatment of the condition for themselves and their families; referrals to other service providers; basic necessities to those in need; and assistance with other health issues.
  • To prevent the transmission of HIV by providing education, information and resources to groups at risk and the general public in the counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes.

HIV Support

  • As our anchor program at PARN, we offer compassionate and confidential support to people who are living with and affected by HIV and/or AIDS in the four
    counties of Peterborough, Haliburton, Northumberland and City of Kawartha Lakes.
    If you, a friend or family member, are living with HIV and/or AIDS, we will help you find the services , and support your need as you learn more about living with HIV and/or AIDS.
    There are a variety of programs and services offered by PARN that may assist you in your
    everyday life. These include:
    – a lending library,
    – an emergency financial assistance fund,
    – access to the internet,
    – emergency food services,
    – and referrals to a variety of other supportive community agencies.
    We also offer harm reduction education and supplies at no cost, including:
    – condoms and lube
    – as well as new injection and inhalation equipment.
    How to access PARN’s support services:
    First there is a friendly, non-judgmental initial intake and assessment: this is an opportunity
    for our professional support staff to learn more about you and for you to learn more about
    us.
    Together, we will begin to understand your unique experiences, challenges and
    needs, and you can learn about PARN, our programs, services and community care
    partners.  We will ask you for confirmation of HIV status.
    We will also need proof that you live in our region.
    Then, you can take full advantage of PARN’s services:

 Supportive counselling: either in-person or by telephone on issues related to living
with HIV and/or AIDS, and general health and wellness. This is not therapeutic
counselling.
Referrals: to other community services, including: legal, housing, mental health, and other HIV-
related supports and services.
Social Activities: for example, the Holiday Social and the Annual Picnic are
opportunities to expand your social network, connecting with others living with and
affected by HIV and/or AIDS.
Lakeridge Positive Care Clinic: provides HIV & Hep C testing and treatment in
Peterborough at the PARN site on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
* To connect directly with Lakeridge Positive Care Clinic, please contact:
Andrea, Nurse, Lakeridge Positive Care, 905-242-0046

 Living With HIV Now?
For direct support, Contact: 705-957-2137, email :

 

Hep C Services @ PARN

Hep C Services @ PARN works to ensure that people living with and at risk for Hep C have increased access to testing and treatment.

We are working in partnership with Lakeridge Positive Care Clinic and the Durham Community Health Centre to establish an integrated network of Hep C services to ensure that people living with and at-risk for Hep C have increased access to services in community.

You can reach PARN’s Hep C Program Coordinator at:

Josh Johnston
Peterborough Hep C Program Coordinator
705-957-3552

GBMSM Program

Our GBMSM Program is dedicated to fostering community and building capacity for Gay, Bisexual, and other Cis and Trans Men who have sex with Men across the Four Counties. Guided by community input and supported by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance of Ontario (GMSH), our initiatives are designed to address the unique needs of this group.

We are excited to announce upcoming presentations and educational sessions focused on GBMSM-centered HIV and Hepatitis C education, as well as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in sexual health and related concerns. Additionally, we will be launching a Peer Engagement Committee starting in September.

For more information and to get involved, please contact Shikhar at or Shan at .

Women and HIV

The Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative (WHAI) at PARN is a community-based program supporting cis and trans women, 2-Spirit, and non-binary femme people in Ontario. We collaborate with community members to identify and address shared health concerns.
Our key focus areas include:
1. HIV Education, Prevention, Care, and Support
2. Community Connection
3. Wholistic Care
4. Safety
5. Women-Centered Harm Reduction
6. Economic Autonomy
WHAI at PARN is committed to building a healthier, more inclusive community for all.
Contact PARN’s WHAI Coordinator, or Manager of Education, , for a tailored workshop on subjects ranging from gender and harm reduction

Check out WHAI at PARN Instagram and join the conversation.

Harm Reduction Works @ PARN

PARN provides harm reduction supplies to people who use injection and inhalation drugs in order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission and other blood-borne infections.

Harm reduction is a range of pragmatic and evidence-based policies and practices designed to minimize the harmful consequences of drug use and other high risk activities.

It focuses on supporting people as they attempt to make informed decisions about their use and remain as safe as possible. Harm reduction strategies respect a person’s right to continue to use while providing options, support and resources to minimize the negative consequences or “harm” that may result.

Non-judgmental service delivery means meeting people where they are at and is the heart of a Harm Reduction approach.

To contact Harm Reduction Works Outreach please call 705-559-0656. And, or Aizha ()

Rainbow Youth

The Rainbow Youth Program works to make lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 2-spirit, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth (aged 13-23 yrs.) feel safe, included, and empowered in Peterborough and the four counties. We give LGBTQ+ youth the space to be themselves and the tools to lead positive change in their schools, peer groups, and community.

Today, the Rainbow Youth Program hosts a weekly youth drop-in with an average of 100 youth attending in a year. Our youth ambassador programs, the queeRAdicals, are active in community outreach, including delivering inclusivity trainings to local schools, service providers, and organizations. The RYP is also involved in organizing many events, including Peterborough Pride, and building partnerships with schools, GSAs, and organizations throughout the four counties.

What We Do:

  • Workshops – Teaching a Generation of Youth and Adult Allies
  • queeRAdicals – Mentoring Youth Leaders in Fostering Change in their Communities
  • Weekly Drop In – Supporting Youth Resilience and Community Building

Please contact Leah by email  to find out more.

 

Request a Workshop

 

PARN Workshops and Training

PARN offers a range of workshops and training programs, including those focused on Harm Reduction, GBMSM, Rainbow Youth, Women and HIV (WHAI), and Naloxone training. We also provide guidance on safely picking up needles and sharps in the community.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us at 705-957-3516 or email .

Volunteer with PARN

How Can You Get Involved?

At PARN, we offer a variety of ways you can contribute based on your interests and skills. We will inform you about upcoming activities, and you can choose the ones that appeal to you.

Here are some of the ways you can help:

 

  • Office Reception
  • Organizing Special Events
  • Writing Articles for the Newsletter
  • Graphic Design
  • Postering and Marketing Assistance
  • Research
  • Applying Computer Knowledge
  • Committee Work (fundraising, social action, special events)
  • Photography
  • Making Red Ribbons
  • Photocopying, Envelope Stuffing, Stamping Pamphlets
  • Board Membership
  • Keeping Track of Pamphlets
  • And More!

Do you train volunteers?

Yes, our staff provides individual and formal group training sessions for all eligible volunteers.

Student Placement Opportunities

Are you a student looking to gain valuable experience while making a positive impact in the community? We offer student placement opportunities for those eager to volunteer and contribute their time and skills. Whether you’re fulfilling a course requirement or seeking hands-on experience in your field of study, our volunteer program is designed to help you grow both personally and professionally.

Please note that we also receive placement requests through academic institutions. Due to our limited capacity, we advise you to inquire early to secure a spot in our program.

For more information or to inquire about student placement opportunities, please contact Bridget at . We look forward to welcoming you to our team and supporting your journey!

JOIN PARN

Volunteering with PARN is not the only way to show your support of PARN. Community members may become Enduring Members, or Board Members. Occasionally Job Vacancies may also be posted here. Learn more below.

Become an Enduring Member

In April 2013, PARN updated its policy by developing the new Enduring Membership. This recognizes people’s ongoing interest in helping PARN continue its work to provide HIV prevention and support in the four counties.

A new application form ensures that individual and associate memberships are renewed automatically every April 1, unless a member submits a formal resignation, the board of directors resolves to remove a member, or a member no longer agrees with the mission statement and goals of PARN.

The Enduring Membership is free and non-transferable. It entitles members to receive agency newsletters, other communications, and invitations to special events and annual general meetings at which voting rights may be exercised.

Please note that the membership form has been temporarily removed. Stay tuned for updates!

WORK AT PARN

There are no current vacancies at PARN. This will be updated with any postings as they occur.

CONTACT STAFF

Education (Priority Populations) Team

 

Office Coordinator:

Stacey Ayres | email: | phone: 705-957-0854. 

Harm Reduction Team

15 + 7 =

Office Hours:

Monday – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Tuesday – 1 pm to 5 pm
Wednesday – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Thursday – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Friday – 9:30 am to 5 pm
(Closed on Saturday and Sunday)

Email:
Office Phone
: 705-749-9110
Harm Reduction Works Phone: 705-559-0656
Toll-free: 1-800-361-2895
Fax: 705-749-6310

 

Address:

60 Hunter Street East, 2nd floor
Peterborough ON
K9H 1G5