April 4, 2005
For Immediate Release

News Release

Public Health Agency of Canada Funds HIV/AIDS Project for Aboriginal Youth

Toronto - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health) today announced funding of $96,500 over two years to the Native Men's Residence (Na-Me-Res) in Toronto for a project designed to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, reduce the risk of transmission as well as promote safer sex among homeless and street involved Aboriginal youth.

Working with a number of community partners to undertake this project, including its youth shelter Tumivut, Na-Me-Res will develop, print and translate culturally relevant information on HIV/AIDS prevention, which will be based on the Medicine Wheel. The organization plans to disseminate the materials at HIV/AIDS awareness events, including a street health fair. In particular, it will create a poster on HIV/AIDS prevention for display in a variety of locations where Aboriginal homeless youth assemble, including parks, health agencies and shelters.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide funding to Na-Me-Res to lead a project that will work to reduce cases of transmission of HIV/AIDS among homeless Aboriginal youth in this city," said Minister Bennett. "The benefits of this project will include increased knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission, safer sex practices and healthier lifestyles among the youth that it reaches."

Na-Me-Res plans to measure the project's achievements through formal and informal means. It will share results at Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community forums in the Greater Toronto Area. The organization also plans to share the information materials on its website.

Na-Me-Res was established in 1986 as a shelter for homeless Aboriginal men, and has since grown into a diverse, multi-service organization that provides outreach services, and also runs Tumivut, a shelter for Aboriginal youth. The organization aims to reduce the number of homeless and to assist those who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Funding was provided to this community-based organization under the AIDS Community Action Program of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. The Government of Canada renewed its commitment to the initiative by doubling funding over the next five years, so that by 2008/09, the Government of Canada will provide annual funding of $84.2 million to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada.

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Media Inquiries:
Debbie Paine
Health Canada, Ontario and Nunavut Region
(416) 973-4183

Aggie Adamcyzk
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991