VOICES OF HOPE

As we enter the third decade of this global initiative to recognize HIV/AIDS as a critical health issue, Casey House invites you to join us and keep the promise by showing Canada your leadership. In conjunction with Dr. Peter Centre ( Vancouver ) and La Maison du Parc (Montréal) we will unite in one voice in support of people living with HIV/AIDS, when we host Toronto ’s inaugural World AIDS Day community concert, “Voices of Hope”.

“Voices of Hope” began in Montreal in 1993 as a creative response to participating in the international effort to support World AIDS Day and as a way to raise awareness and funds for people living with HIV/AIDS. “Voices of Hope” has become a local tradition and an important fundraiser to support the healthcare programs and supportive services provided by Maison du Parc for people living with HIV/AIDS in Montreal .

In a true demonstration of leadership, three HIV/AIDS healthcare organizations will unite in producing “Voices of Hope” concerts in their respective cities on December 1^st, 2008. The concerts will raise awareness throughout Canada and the world about the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, including the need for support and understanding of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the need for ongoing healthcare, education, and prevention initiatives.

The Casey House “Voices of Hope” concert will feature a variety of stellar musical talent from the Toronto area, respectfully paying tribute to the people we lost during the last 12 months within Casey House’s Residential and Community Programs as well as recognizing and honouring the men and women who live with HIV/AIDS in Canada .

World AIDS Day Community Concert – “Voices of Hope” will take place on:

Date: Monday, December 1, 2008,

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East , Toronto , ON

History of World AIDS Day

In 1988 the United Nations declared December 1^st, 2008 as World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is the culmination of AIDS Awareness Week that begins on November 24th, 2008. Since then the world has united in an international effort to commemorate World AIDS Day and build awareness of HIV/AIDS. Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise - Leadership, is the theme for 2008. This theme continues to highlight the need for innovation, vision, and perseverance in the face of the AIDS challenge. The campaign calls on all sectors of society to take the initiative and provide leadership on AIDS.

The World AIDS Day Concert will bring together over 1,000 people in Toronto and thousands of people across Canada as we raise our collective voices in unison with the Dr. Peter Centre ( Vancouver ) and La Maison du Parc (Montréal), who will be conducting similar events in their cities.

Please join Casey House, Dr. Peter Centre and La Maison du Parc on December 1^st as we “Raise Our Voices in Unison” to commemorate World AIDS Day.

About Casey House Return to Top of Page

Founded in 1988, Casey House is the first freestanding HIV/AIDS hospice in Canada . A unique, compassionate model of care which has been evolving since that time, allowing Casey House, a specialty hospital with community programming, to deliver on its mission to “provide exemplary treatment, support, and palliative care for people affected by HIV/AIDS”.

A leader in Canada and the world, Casey House has created an approach to care delivery that provides a homelike environment for clients, and strives to include the elements of “homelike”, wherever the client may be or live. Care is client focused and delivered by an experienced and professional interdisciplinary team, which includes volunteers who share the same passion and commitment for the cause.

About Dr. Peter Centre

In April 1997, the Dr. Peter Centre Day Health Program opened its doors in an old wing of St. Paul 's Hospital. One year later, a ten person 24-hour care residence was added. The lease arrangement for the site was only temporary. Thus, the Foundation undertook to secure a permanent home for the Dr. Peter Centre.

The Dr. Peter Centre Today
In 2001, the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation successfully completed a $9.8-million Capital Campaign to build a new, four-storey Centre. On September 29, 2003 the Centre moved its Day Health Program participants, residents and staff into its new home. The new Dr. Peter Centre, with a larger capacity, will continue to assist the community and health-care system to cope with the growing AIDS crisis.

The construction of the new Dr. Peter Centre was made possible because of the tireless energy, passion and commitment of our dedicated Capital Campaign Committee, co-chaired by John deC. Evans and Robert Ledingham.

Located at 1110 Comox Street in downtown Vancouver , the Dr. Peter Centre

About Maison du Parc

La Maison du Parc was founded in Montreal in April 1991, it is one of the last community HIV / AIDS hospices still operating in Quebec . La Maison du Parc welcomes all individuals suffering from HIV / AIDS in need. We have evolved to meet the ever changing needs of those infected.

In the early years it was an end of life hospice, a refuge for those afflicted with HIV / AIDS.
With the advent of new treatments, services were expanded to include assistance with a return to a normalized life and social rehabilitation. With the advent of new treatments, services were expanded to include assistance with a return to a normalized life and social rehabilitation.
La Maison du Parc was the first to implement a satellite apartment program for those to fragile and unable to cope with the disease. La Maison du Parc was the first to implement a satellite apartment program for those to fragile and unable to cope with the disease.

Acceptance of trainees on a regular basis from Québec and abroad brought about the transfer or our expertise and sensitization. Acceptance of trainees on a regular basis from Quebec and abroad brought about the transfer or our expertise and sensitization.

The creation and management of projects aimed at quality of life with HIV/AIDS, accessibility to assistance for persons living with HIV/AIDS in isolation and the partnership between resource groups, are areas of expertise developed by La Maison du Parc over the years. The creation and management of projects aimed at quality of life with HIV / AIDS, accessibility to assistance for persons living with HIV / AIDS in isolation and the partnership between resource groups, are areas of expertise developed by La Maison du Parc over the years.

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