Treating People with Humanity
2021-2022 Annual Report
Letter from Our Executive Director and Board Chair
Katie Ayres, Executive Director
Andrew Matthews, Board Chair
This year was a uniquely exciting one that included our organizational rebrand. After an extensive stakeholder engagement process that included an organizational assessment, internal & external interviews, online surveys, and facilitated focus groups with our clients and advisory committees we found common themes. This included our strong roots in HIV work in the community, the critical services we provide to vulnerable individuals, and significant organizational growth in harm reduction work and peer-based programs.
We identified a strong need to clarify the mandate and focus of the organization as well as strong support for a name change to better reflect the full scope of services being offered.
Based on feedback from the stakeholder engagement process, an Organizational Identity committee was formed to work with a team of communications consultants to develop and fine tune our new vision and mission statements, new name, and new logo.
On March 29, 2021, we launched our new name and brand: SafeLink Alberta.
In addition to the rebrand, we had a full year of program development, implementation, challenges, and successes.
In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, we continued to pivot our service delivery approaches in response to the ever changing and evolving public health restrictions and recommendations related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We increased outreach by 87 per cent so that we could continue to engage meaningfully with the populations we serve by physically meeting them where they were at to provide case management support, STI testing, and harm reductions services.
Thanks to the ongoing core funding of several multi-year contracts, we can provide stability in the services we provide in our communities and focus on operationalizing our remaining strategic plan goals.
Some of our upcoming projects include new position statements for use in advocacy level work, a new case management model that incorporates new and emerging best practices, creative social media and advocacy campaigns under our new brand, launch of our new advisory collective, and continuing to expand and be innovative in our education and capacity building initiatives.
Sincerely,
Katie Ayres, Executive Director and Andrew Matthews, Board Chair
Organizational Rebrand
In 2022, HIV Community Link officially rebranded to SafeLink Alberta, citing the need to better reflect the broader communities we serve as an agency that works to reduce the harms associated with sexual activity and substance use. Months of community engagement and research was spent on determining the name, vision, mission, visuals, and voice of the new brand, and the organization’s philosophy remains the same: centred around empathy, dignity, and human connection.
About SafeLink Alberta:
SafeLink Alberta is an organization that works to reduce the risks associated with sexual activity and substance use. Serving and advocating for priority populations in Calgary and southern Alberta by providing education, non-judgmental services, and harm reduction programming.
Since 1983, the organization has been committed to supporting those affected by HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
Key populations:
People living with or affected by HIV, HCV, and STIs, including sex workers, people who use drugs, Indigenous community members, ACB community members, and gbMSM community members.
Watch the story behind our rebrand
Mission
To reduce the harms associated with sexual activity and substance use by offering low-barrier, non-judgemental, and informed programs and services.
VISION
Inclusive, Empowered, and Healthier Communities.
OUR ATTRIBUTES
Leading the Way, Human Connection, Through an Unbiased Lens, Authentic Education, Guided by Firsthand Knowledge
programs & services
213,873 safer sex supplies distributed, a 254% increase from 2020/2021
112,109 safer consumption supplies distributed
2,686 Naloxone kits distributed
1,451 outreach events, a 31% increase from 2020/2021
342 unique case management participants
6,026 needs addressed/referrals made for basic needs, financial support, housing support, transportation, mental health, substance use, cultural practices, and more.
62 testing clinic events, a 343% increase from 2020/2021
132 education sessions/training events held for 2501 participants
Strategic Plan Progress
Efforts towards the successful operationalization of our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan continued this year with the majority of goals completed or nearing completion. In addition, an activity was added in honour of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to develop and implement a DEI strategy for the agency and continuously strengthen agency policies and processes around inclusion and reconciliation. Towards this, SafeLink Alberta recognized the day as a staff holiday, hosted our team through ‘A Walk-Through Colonization’ with Author, Activist, and Educator Gitz Crazyboy, launched our internal committee for inclusion, and committed to the meaningful inclusion of people with lived and living experience in all aspects of our work.
Calgary Support Services
Calgary Support Services, which encompasses Shift, HIV/HCV Support Services, Strong Voices, and the HIV Peer Support program, supports members of key populations through outreach, education, case management, peer support, and connection to care.
Anonymous, Volunteer and Past Client
Peer Support
- Group meetings for people living with HIV and for transgender sex workers
- One to one system navigation supports for people living with HIV
- Activities to support social inclusion
This fiscal year, SafeLink Alberta re-designed the HIV Peer Support Program. Two Peer Navigators, previously volunteers, are now employees of the agency, the intake process was revised to reduce barriers in initially accessing the program, meeting topics and education opportunities have been scheduled, and a Spanish speaking group was added.
This year, 16 peer support group events were held for 76 participants.
Julio, Peer Navigator
80% of peer group participants reported an increase in knowledge about risk factors relating to HIV.
Outreach & Drop In
Program staff envisioned and launched the Calgary Outreach Collective in the Fall of 2021 to improve communications between street outreach teams, minimize duplication of services, and reduce barriers for participants. The Collective meets monthly and currently includes representation from client facing staff of 15 different organizations in Calgary.
On site testing clinics and drop-in hours resumed, both of which had been postponed due to COVID-19.
HEAT resumed regular testing clinics in bars and other community venues that serve key populations, which had been postponed due to COVID-19.
1267 contacts occurred in the Calgary drop in space this year.
An average of 14 people were served per street outreach event this year.
- Distribution of safer consumption and safer sex supplies
- Distribution of Naloxone kits and biohazard containers
- Distribution of food and hygiene items
- Education on STBBI and overdose prevention
- On-site STBBI testing and distribution of HIV self-test kits
- Emotional support
- System navigation and referrals
Case Management
- Individualized support and service planning
- Education, prevention, and access to treatment services
- Emotional support
- System navigation and referrals
- Advocacy and appointment accompaniment
For sex workers, a Trans Sex Worker support group was launched in partnership with Skipping Stone and The Thrive Hive. Two groups with a total of 7 attendees have participated thus far.
To further reduce barriers in accessing our services, the requirement to prove HIV status to access case management was removed, and supports for people living with hepatitis C were added.
Medicine Hat Support Services
Medicine Hat Support Services, which encompasses the Well Program, the Needle Debris Mitigation Program, and the Peer Support Program, supports members of key populations through outreach, education, case management, peer support, and connection to care.
Christa, Harm Reduction Program Coordinator
Outreach & Drop In
This fiscal year, SafeLink has had significant success in supporting and retaining people with lived experience of substance use as Harm Reduction Outreach Workers. Three peers are currently employed, one of whom has been with the project since 2019 and two of whom have been continuously employed for more than a year.
- Distribution of safer consumption and safer sex supplies
- Distribution of Naloxone kits and biohazard containers
- Distribution of food and hygiene items
- Education on STBBI and overdose prevention
- On site STBBI testing
- Emotional support
- System navigation and referrals
- Needle Debris Hotline response
- Individual peer support for people who use drugs
an average of 9 people were served per street outreach event this year.
New community partnerships this year have improved access to regular STBBI testing on-site.
Case Management
Our Well program served 25 clients.
- Individualized support and service planning
- Education, prevention, and access to treatment services
- Emotional support
- System navigation and referrals
- Advocacy and appointment accompaniment
We had 20 new admissions this year, which was a 400% increase from 2020/2021
75% of Well clients surveyed reported improvement in psychological wellness, coping, or well-being,
Jessie, Well Nurse, RPN
Education & Capacity Building
The Education & Capacity Building team, which encompasses HEAT, Drumbeat, the Substance Use Education Project, and the Shifting Perspectives project, offers education and training, community engagement, research, and resource development for key populations and allied service providers.
After a 400-hour consultation, engagement, and review process, our longstanding Advisory Committee model is undergoing an extensive update to align with emerging best practices for meaningful involvement of people with lived and living experience. The new SafeLink Community Collective is set to launch in the Fall of 2022.
HEAT resumed regular testing clinics in bars and other community venues that serve key populations, which had been postponed due to COVID-19.
This fiscal year, our service provider education series was entirely redesigned; content was updated to align with emerging best practices and the input of people with lived or living experience, online registration was improved, lived experience speakers were incorporated, and several new trainings were added.
Drumbeat facilitated two ACB health symposiums, one for male attendees and one for female attendees, and brought in keynote speakers to discuss black history, social determinants of health and health inequities, and physical health topics including HIV. 56 unique individuals attended these two events.
Sipiwe, Education Coordinator
99% of participants who attended Sex Work 101: Shifting Perspectives stated that the training increased their understanding of the stigma and discrimination that Canadian sex workers experience.
80% of participants who attended HIV 101: Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment Cascade stated that they increased their knowledge around HIV, and 79% of participants who attended HCV and STI’s 101: the 411 on Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections stated that they increased their knowledge around HCV and STIs.
Fundraising Events
Annual Splash of Red Benefit
Held online for the first time in 2021, our Splash of Red Benefit was like no other we have held before. Guests were transported virtually to the glitz and glamour of the red carpet. Our community was ready to show their support, raising $40,930 in support of SafeLink Alberta Programming.
AIDS Walk 2021
Our Annual AIDS Walk & Run happened for the second time online in 2021. One of the last in Canada, the AIDS Walk is a historical fundraising event that started in the early 2000s. Participants connected with their friends and families through peer to peer fundraising and raised $11,642 in support of SafeLink Alberta.
World AIDS Day Screening
In honour of World AIDS day, SafeLink Alberta screened UNDETECTABLE, a short film that takes a deep dive into the misinformation, stigma and prejudice that has surrounded the HIV epidemic since the early '80s. Through the eyes of current front-line workers and tireless activists, the film exposes how early societal prejudice is directly linked to today’s current-day issues surrounding HIV both globally and close to home.
Third Party Events
SafeLink Alberta’s incredible supporters The Imperial Court of the Chinook Arch held two large events in 2021. The Red Party at Backlot Bar in support of World AIDS Day, and show stopping Drag Brunch in spring. In June 2021, Urban Fare hosted their annual Pride fundraiser.
2021 - 2022 Financial Overview
Fundraising
8.2%
Grants
12.5%
Government Funding
78.6%
TOTAL REVENUE
Government Funding: 78.61%
Grants and Foundations: 12.52%
Fundraising: 8.17%
Other: 0.70%
Total: $2,161,751
Fundraising
5.9%
Administration
8.3%
Service & Delivery
85.8%
TOTAL EXPENSES
Service and Delivery: 85.80%
Fundraising: 5.92%
Administration: 8.28%
Total: $2,038,893
Thank You to Our Donors
Alberta Health
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development
Government of Canada - Canada Summer Jobs
Public Health Agency of Canada
Alberta Health Services
Health Canada
Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch
The City of Calgary, Family and Community Support Services
Women & Gender Equality Canada
The Canadian Women's Foundation
Anonymous Donor
Calgary Foundation
RBC Foundation
Second Harvest Emergency Food Security Fund
ViiV Healthcare
SafeLink Alberta would like to thank the many funders, donors, volunteers, staff, community partners, and clients who made this year so special.
Thank you!
Calgary
110 – 1603 10 Ave SW, Calgary AB, T3C 0J7
403. 508.2500
Medicine Hat
411 N Railway St, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2Z3
403.527.5882