It’s been about eight months since HIV West Yellowhead packed up the last of its office supplies, condoms, books, pamphlets and Safe is Sexy posters from its former home on Jasper’s Connaught Drive.Â
After almost three decades in the community, West Yellowhead moved its office to Hinton in early January. However, despite the 45-minute commute, executive director Lori Phillips said it’s been one of the organization’s goals to remain active in Jasper.
“We love Jasper and we really want to be a part of the community. Anytime we get an invitation to an event we’re there,” said Phillips, adding that someone from the organization is usually in Jasper at least once a week.
HIV West Yellowhead has a long history in Jasper. It was formed in the community in 1988, at that time under the name AIDS: A Positive Coordinated Community Response Society of Jasper. In 2003, the harm reduction agency changed its name to HIV West Yellowhead as it expanded its services to include communities throughout the region, including Whitecourt, Edson and Hinton.
“I think people sometimes forget that we have four different communities that we serve,” Phillips said. “We’re a small staff of only two people most of the time, but we’re doing our best and are always open to suggestions and invitations.”
As of right now the organization only has two full-time employees and a part-time summer student. As well as Phillips, there is a prevention and engagement coordinator. For years the organization also had an outreach worker that mainly served the Edson area, but that position has been vacant since April.
Phillips and the prevention and engagement coordinator, Stacey Dickerson, are both relatively new to their positions. Phillips took on the director role last September while Dickerson started working with the organization in January.
“Everything is brand new to us so we really are doing the best that we can,” Phillips said. “Once we’ve gotten through this first year then I think everything will become very simple.
“We think things are going well, but we’ll be in a much more comfortable position next year.”
The organization’s new office is located in the Hinton Valley District, but Phillips said since the move, HIV West Yellowhead has organized more events in Jasper than the office’s new home base.
In recent months, HIV West Yellowhead has taken part in Jasper’s annual newcomer event hosted by Community Outreach Services, the Jasper Pride Festival Society’s annual general meeting and has partnered with local restaurants for the annual DINE 4 Life campaign, a program to raise awareness about HIV and raise funds for local programs and services— a portion of funds raised is donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which supports community-based programs for families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
In addition, Phillips said the organization recently hosted a fundraiser volleyball tournament and free barbeque at Lake Annette and organized the 12th annual Halloween in July at the Athabasca Hotel, which saw more than 400 attendees and raised more than $2,000.
The organization also continues to provide condoms to all the local hotels and hosts bi-weekly condom nights at the Athabasca Hotel. HIV West Yellowhead also runs a needle exchange program through Rexall on Patricia Street.
Phillips said she is also striving to work closely with Jasper’s LGBT community.
“As you can see we’ve worked very hard to still be a part of the Jasper community and eaten the additional travel costs in order to do so,” Phillips said.
Since the change of location and employees, the only Jasper event HIV West Yellowhead was unable to host was the annual ladies gala, a popular fundraiser which celebrates local women.
“The timing just didn’t work out for that one this year, but it’s something we hope to bring back,” Phillips said. “We’re also open to any suggestions on how we can be more involved with Jasper.”
The HIV West Yellowhead office in Hinton can be found at 152 Athabasca Avenue. For those with questions or suggestions they are encouraged to call the office at 780-740-0066.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
