Living Positive (LP) has been around for a very long time. It has had a long history within the LGBT community; both members and supporters have come from within it. Living Positive has faced internal and external challenges during the past decade. The darkest hours left LP with no ongoing support from ACCH (Alberta Community Council on HIV/AIDS). With casino revenues being the only ongoing source of funding, the fiscal constraints required downsizing to a size that could be accommodated within a sub-let space. LP partnered with Planned Parenthood Edmonton, now called OPTIONS, who provide a new space to offer its key service and focus on rebuilding. But the struggle was not yet over for LP, as it was still unable to engage its members and supporters to rebuild.
OPTIONS took a non-intervention approach in attempts to support the re-generation process. This meant it would advise and support but not intervene in the organization’s decision making processes. When LP was stricken from Alberta Registries Corporate Registry for failing to report, Larry Brockman, Executive Director of Options Sexual Health Association, stepped in to the Position of President to provide direction and stability for Living Positive. Although Larry sees his involvement as temporary, he is committed to seeing Living Positive through, in his words, a rebirthing process.
Living Positive’s mandate and mission has always been - and continues to be - to provide support, education, and outreach to HIV positive people through and by HIV positive peers. For over two years, Curtis Branston filled the roles of program coordinator, educator, peer support and outreach person, until a few years ago when he left Edmonton to pursue other endeavours. Unable to fill his role but being committed to Living Positive, Curtis stepped into the role of Vice President of the Living Positive board. It is Curtis’ goal as an active member of the board to revive the former newsletter of Living Positive, to help build the membership, to continue as a HIV positive educator and to offer valuable support and insight to the current LP staff and volunteers.
Maggie McGinn was a former Executive Director for Living Positive, who has and is still committed to the rebirthing process of Living Positive. She now sits on the board of the organization while pursuing educational goals to further her career. The newest member to the Living Positive board is long-time HIV activist within the Native communities, Ken Ward. Ken has joined the board on the condition that he is actively involved in the rebirthing process, that he be able to continue to make a difference and continue to be a voice in the HIV positive community as well as for Native people.
Early last year Living Positive put out a call for a program coordinator, which was answered by Jordan. Jordan worked hard in a lot of areas, most notable was his involvement in the Scotiabank AIDS walk with HIV Edmonton, where Living Positive became the top non-corporate fund raiser for Edmonton. Jordan also created the current Living Positive Facebook page, which has over 300 members and still continues to grow every week. It has been Living Positive’s biggest way of communicating as of late. Due to personal circumstances, Jordan chose to leave Living Positive, causing a vacancy that has only recently been filled.
Carl Scott joined Living Positive as the Program Coordinator with a lot of vision, passion, and energy. His focus and mandate is to build an HIV positive peer support network and community with a speakers bureau and support and outreach groups and teams, all to evolve as needed and as LP is able to support. Carl has continued the work started by Jordan and is building on it and creating new vision and direction for Living Positive. Identifying as an Aboriginal Canadian and as a gay man, Carl hopes to reach out to these two populations, but also seeks to create and maintain support for all positive people in Edmonton, as is needed, or as peers are able to offer. Currently Living Positive is working to create a membership as well as volunteer base to be able to handle demand. Living Positive is working to maintain stability and consistency through offering regular office hours throughout the week. Phone calls are also forwarded whenever possible, after hours, so that Living Positive is accessible when needed. If you have questions, concerns, want to volunteer, or join Living Positive, please call Carl the Program Coordinator. His office is located at Options and he can be reached by phone at 780-423-3737 (ext. 209). Ask for either Carl or Living Positive.
Living Positive has survived this long due to the commitment of many people past and present, and it will continue as long as there are committed members. HIV and AIDS is still a global concern and there are many people living with HIV/AIDS in Edmonton who need to work together to support one another. Working together is necessary to achieve the eradication of stigma and discrimination, and to prevent the spread of HIV through awareness and positive prevention. Living Positive is a place of hope and support for HIV positive people and PLWA (People Living With AIDS).