HIV West Yellowhead seeks members

The Edson Leader

 

HIV West Yellowhead officials are still looking for regional board members.

 

The Jasper-based organization put out a call for three more board members earlier his summer. While a Hinton board member has been secured, executive director Andrea Watson said two more persons have expressed interest but have not committed as of yet.

 

Watson is hoping to recruit two more board members — one from Edson and one from Whitecourt.

 

The Jasper non-profit society is continuing to forge partnerships with provincial organizations and within the region. One partnership they're working on is with the Streetworks group out of Edmonton. One of Streetworks' mandates is to arrange needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users. Watson said Streetworks officials would help host workshops in the region this November in Edson, Hinton and Whitecourt.

 

HIV West Yellowhead has formed another partnership with an aboriginal association out of Red Deer. The group will help cohost workshops in the region — with the main purpose of forming partnerships within the region.

 

"It's aimed towards professional people so we can build partnerships throughout the region," Watson said.

 

Workshops will be held in Edson on Aug. 25, Whitecourt on Aug. 26, Jasper on Sept. 9 and Hinton on Sept. 10. The Edson and Jasper workshops are full with waiting lists, while the Hinton and Whitecourt sessions still have some spaces, said HIV West Yellowhead Prevention and Education co-ordinator Wanda Ferland.

 

Watson reminds the public that HIV West Yellowhead has speakers available for various topics related to HIV and Aids. Some of those topics are: HIV 101 and harm reduction. Call the organization, toll-free, at 1-877-291-8811 for more information.

 

HIV West Yellowhead's annual general meeting goes Sept. 23. Watson said she's hoping to have the meeting in Edson.