Walk by Casey House on Huntley St. and you’ll see two new harm reduction dispensing machines on the east side of the building. SASSY (safely access services and supplies for you) provides free equipment and help people access local resources; this includes sexual health supplies, clean needles, pipes, naloxone, and other supplies for safer drug use. The Healthbox vending machines also have a comprehensive catalogue of community services our clients and community members need, such as housing assistance, meal assistance, and social services.
The machines are available 24 hours a day and will be a tidier, weather-resistant way to distribute the same Toronto Public Health safer inhalation and safer injection supplies we have been offering to clients and community members since 2014. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Casey House distributed 124,716 harm reduction kits to clients and community members.
As always, we encourage existing clients interested in using SASSY to do so in conjunction with the services provided by Casey House’s interdisciplinary health team. Our knowledgeable clinicians, harm reduction workers, and peers can assist in providing health education, safety tips, monitor for adverse symptoms, and refer clients to other community supports if needed. Our outpatient supervised consumption services are open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where clients may use substances in a safe, sterile, and indoor environment.
This redevelopment of our pre-existing harm reduction supply distribution service will continue to support community members accessing sterile equipment and health resources in a reliable, discrete, and accessible manner. Casey House will continue to work the City of Toronto, health care providers, and the community to ensure the success of SASSY.
Casey House’s lead founder and nationally acclaimed journalist June Callwood would be 100 years old this Sunday, June 2. In honour of the centenary of her birth we remember June’s words, “We are all capable of a bit more humanity than we can imagine.” As a social justice activist, she was an inspiration for our approach and philosophy of care. In reference to Casey House, June once said, “We are taking care of people who need it in ways they can accept. Casey House was named in honour of June’s son, who was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 20. The loss of such a young and vibrant adult felt similar to the loss of so many young men from AIDS.
Want to learn more about June Callwood? Read more about June on the Our Origins page of Casey House’s website, which includes her biography. You can also check out With Dignity: The Story of Casey House, a podcast created by Soulpepper Theatre, wherever you listen to your podcasts. Her published works, including Twelve Weeks in Spring (1986) and Jim: A Life with AIDS (1988), can be found at your local TPL branch. And, if you’re ever in the area, you can stop by June Callwood Park here in Toronto at 636 Fleet St.
Happy Birthday, June Callwood!
Specialty hospital uses Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” to create a PSA that calls on health care practitioners to deliver equitable care for those living with HIV
TORONTO – May 29, 2024 – Casey House – a hospital unlike any other providing care to those living with and at risk of HIV – today announces the launch of its latest advocacy campaign, Stigmavir. This initiative aims to reach health care practitioners and introduces a ‘fictitious’ anti-viral drug named Stigmavir, designed to treat HIV stigma. Stigma in health care is harming people living with HIV, with one in five people living with HIV being denied health services because of stigma and discrimination. The campaign includes an upbeat musical public service announcement (PSA), set to a musical adaptation of the iconic song “I Will Survive” with rights provided by Gloria Gaynor herself.
“Even in spaces run by people educated about health, HIV stigma persists. The Stigmavir campaign marks the next chapter in our longstanding Smash Stigma initiative to eradicate HIV stigma,” says Joanne Simons, Casey House CEO. “Stigma remains a significant barrier for individuals living with HIV seeking access to health care. This year we’re inviting other health care providers to join us in the mission to create positive health care spaces that are informed, sensitive, inclusive, and inquisitive rather than assumptive. Everyone deserves health care that meets their needs, treats them with respect and maintains confidentiality.”
For people living with HIV, stigma is one of the most reported barriers to accessing health care. Disclosure to medical professionals can result in stares, micro-aggressions, and even denial of care, particularly during vulnerable moments like emergency or mental health care. Experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and stigma can cause patients to internalize this negativity, leading to a higher risk of depression and worse health outcomes, such as delayed diagnosis.
“Despite the scientific advancements in health care and increased knowledge of HIV, unfortunately stigma still exists,” says Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health who is recognizing the hospital’s Stigmavir initiative for its innovative approach. “Healthcare leaders like Casey House play a crucial role in educating Canada’s health care providers on what stigma-free care truly involves. Initiatives like Stigmavir not only raise awareness of overlooked issues but also empower health care providers with the essential tools and resources to offer compassionate care to their patients.”
Casey House is leading the charge against HIV stigma in health care by inviting health care practitioners to join the movement in creating compassionate spaces for those living with or at risk of HIV. While Stigmavir is fictitious, it is an invitation to think about the way everyone in health care engages with people living with HIV; to reconsider how small actions can impact the people receiving care. What does health care look like without HIV stigma? Patients can build a trusting relationship with a health care provider, look forward to consistent treatment, and feel safe as they pursue good health. Casey House has also created a campaign website that offers health care providers additional resources on delivering compassionate care to those living with or at risk of HIV.
“People still don’t like having positive people around, and it’s hard that we’re still facing stigma from health care practitioners,” says Yasir, a documentary participant involved in the project. “This message is important because it not only invites health care providers to provide compassionate care and recognize unconscious biases, but also shares stories from HIV+ individuals and their experiences of receiving equitable care.”
Additionally, Casey House has created an HIV Stigma-Free symbol, similar to LGBTQ+ signage seen in the windows of businesses, available for download by health care practitioners. This symbol, accompanied by a toolkit of resources, will signify their efforts to provide stigma-free care for individuals living with HIV.
Join us. Consider whether Stigmavir is right for you and help Casey House improve health care experiences for people living with HIV. Spread awareness by sharing on social media using #smashstigma and stigmavir.ca to learn more.
To access the video PSA and high-res photography, please visit: stigmavir.ca
To book an interview with any of our following spokespeople or for more information about the Stigmavir campaign please contact:
Ed Kucharski, Chief Medical Officer of Casey House
Our HIV+ documentary participants
About Casey House: Casey House is unlike any other hospital. We are a specialty hospital in Toronto providing ground-breaking care to people living with and at risk of HIV. Together with our clients, staff, peers and volunteers, we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe. We offer a growing mix of inpatient, and outpatient services that meet clients where they are in their individual journeys of health and wellness and actively dismantle barriers to care and safe living. As a hospital that strives to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, we’re also tackling the deeply ingrained stigma associated with HIV. With bold ideas and brave partners, we make the humanity of each client the heart of everything we do.
1st day: One new clinic. Casey House is the new host of Blue Door Clinic, a community collaboration providing interim health care and social supports to people living with HIV who do not have health insurance. Learn more here.
2nd day: Two seasons of Positively Speaking. The second season of our podcast launched this spring, with guests sharing more incredible stories about their experiences living with HIV. Listen to Positively Speaking here.
3rd day: Three decades of Art With Heart. Our charitable auction of contemporary Canadian art celebrated 30 years of art and philanthropy this fall, and raised over $1 million. Visit artwithheart.ca here.
4th day: Four fish on the floor. Our outpatient supervised consumption services (SCS) is home to four colourful fish, who occupy the chill out lounge, where clients go after consuming their substances. Learn more about our SCS here.
5th day: Five Casey Awards recipients. It was a pleasure to recognize five outstanding recipients of the 2022 Casey Awards this past March at a celebration event. Read about all five here.
6th day: Six special outpatient clinics. Outpatient services continue to grow, and now include six special clinics: a street ID, tax, eye testing, hair styling, eat well clinics. Find the schedule of outpatient groups and clinics here.
7th day: Seven days left to donate this year. On day seven there will be seven days left to donate and receive a tax-deductible receipt for 2023. Donate now.
8th day: Eight panels on the 2009 quilt. This year we unveiled two new memorial quilts, honouring clients who passed away in Casey House’s care in 2009 and in 2014. Volunteers design and sew each quilt.
9th day: Nine June’s HIV+ Eatery chefs. This year’s meal was prepared by a team of professional chefs and nine people living with HIV who generously contributed their time and experience to help smash stigma. Learn more here.
10th day: Ten flag-bearing clients. It was an honour to have our clients help carry the Pride flag at the Toronto Blue Jays’ Pride weekend home opener in June alongside members of other pioneering queer organizations.
11th day: Eleven Stratford visitors. In preparation for Stratford’s production of Casey and Diana, we hosted eleven members of the cast and crew to see Casey House in person, meet with someone living with HIV, and pour over photos of Princess Diana’s 1991 visit to the house. The play is being remounted by Soulpepper in January, learn more here.
12th day: Twelve peers supporting clients. Twelve peers leveraged their lived experience with just over 1100 hours of peer support visits, almost the equivalent of a full-time staff member. Learn about our peer support program here.
TORONTO, ON (October 2, 2023) – As of today, Blue Door Clinic, a community collaboration offering interim health care for people living with HIV who are precariously or uninsured, is now hosted at Casey House.
Being HIV+ without access to medication can be life-threatening. The clinic’s free and confidential services include HIV primary care from physicians and nurse practitioners, laboratory testing, referrals to specialists, connection to medication access programs, case management support, and referral to community services to address social determinant needs such as housing, legal services, and immigration support.
Since 2019, Blue Door Clinic has been hosted at Regent Park Community Health Centre. The clinic’s steering committee was looking for a new home for the clinic and Casey House, a long-standing partner of the project, is well positioned to host and add value: the hospital has expertise in HIV care, as well as expertise and infrastructure in other areas to augment the clinic’s work, including research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization, and can assist in building provider capacity.
Medical care and case support will continue to be provided in-kind by a rotating group of multidisciplinary health service providers from partner agencies, and Blue Door Clinic clients will now have access to Casey House’s outpatient services: group programs facilitated by interdisciplinary team members, a hot midday meal, supervised consumption services (SCS), peer support, and individual appointments with a physiotherapist, mental health clinicians, harm reduction workers, and recreational therapists.
Regent Park Community Health Centre physician and Blue Door Clinic co-founder Dr. Alan Li is happy to see the clinic offer patients access to additional services. He says, “Noninsured people living with HIV face complex barriers in accessing care and support. Moving to Casey House is another successful step forward in the Blue Door Clinic collaborative partnership. It gives me great hope and excitement that we can expand our hours of services and enable clients to access a wider range of on-site services.”
Li goes on to express gratitude for the ground-breaking work of the partner organizations. The Blue Door Clinic’s current steering committee is chaired by Casey House CEO Joanne Simons, and includes representatives from Regent Park Community Health Centre, Community Alliance for Accessible Treatment (CAAT), Fife House, Hassle Free Clinic, Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Sherbourne Health, and the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA).
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Casey House is unlike any other hospital. We are a specialty hospital in Toronto providing ground-breaking care to people living with and at risk of HIV. Together with our clients, staff, peers and volunteers, we strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe. We offer a growing mix of inpatient, outpatient and community-based services that meet clients where they are in their individual journeys of health and wellness. Building on a legacy of advocacy and social justice, we actively dismantle barriers to care and safe living. We provide a community and sense of belonging that connects people to care. The humanity of each client is at the heart of everything we do.
Blue Door clinic is a community collaboration providing interim health care and social supports to people living with HIV in the greater Toronto area who do not have health insurance coverage or access to HIV medication.
Casey House is pleased that Bill C-22 – Canada Disability Benefit Act has received Royal Assent and is now law.This new federal lawestablishes the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), to reduce poverty and support the financial security of working-age persons with disabilities – a population “more likely to live in poverty than working-age persons without disabilities, because of economic and social exclusion”and that requires targeted benefits.
Casey House serves clients with disabilities, particularly those with illnesses or conditions that are “episodic” – meaning, they vary in severity and duration and can include periods of wellness. Most clients are HIV+ and contend with multiple chronic conditions – many of which are exacerbated by the drugpoisoning crisis, housing crisis, and rising cost of living.Our hospital is committed to understanding our clients’ health concerns in the broader context of their lives – including their income and financial situation, which is an area of high need.
Throughout the legislative process, Casey House appreciated the opportunity to comment on Bill C-22. As outlined in our most recent submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI), we highlighted the importance of ensuring that the CDB is designed and delivered to:
Support people with episodic disabilities living in poverty: examples of episodic disabilities include chronic conditions and diseases such as HIV, mental illness, and substance use disorder. People with episodic disabilities face unique barriers to financial security and require supports that enable them to meet their basic needs.
Reach people with disabilities living in poverty who face barriers to filing income tax returns: the CDB will be based on annual income tax returns, however for people living in deep poverty, such as those without housing, it can be difficult to file their taxes regularly. If barriers to tax filing are not addressed, we risk the CDB not reaching those who need it most.
Ensure that people with disabilities living in poverty continue to have uninterrupted access to health benefits through provincial disability support programs:most Casey House clients receive income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), which also provides coverage for life-saving medications. Implementing the CDB will require coordination between different levels of government to ensure people have continued, uninterrupted access to provincial health benefits to meet their health care needs.
As the federal government now proceeds to developing the regulations to guide the design and delivery of this new benefit, Casey House looks forward to continuing to advocate for the CDB to effectivelyreachall working–agepersons with disabilities living in poverty, and critically, for the CDB to be adequately funded to improve the financial security of people with disabilities living in poverty.
Casey House recognizes and acknowledges that systemic inequities deeply affect our clients, and believes it is our responsibility to advocate for compassionate and socially-just health care. Our advocacy seeks to address the structural barriers that prevent optimalhealth, and improve the well-being of all people living with or at risk of HIV.To learn more, visit Advocacy.
As a specialty hospital in Toronto providing care for people living with and at risk of HIV, Casey House serves people who face multiple barriers to having their basic needs met. We acknowledge that systemic inequities have a profound effect on people’s lives, and believe that everyone deserves judgment-free care – both within and beyond our hospital. With the continuing drug poisoning crisis, housing crisis, and rising cost of living, the need to address the social factors that determine health and well-being is beyond urgent; and tackling these challenges requires thoughtful, transparent, accountable, and compassionate leadership that views people for their humanity amidst the challenges they face.
With less than a month until the mayoral by-election, we are sharing three principles that the next Mayor of Toronto must champion to improve health care and outcomes for people in high need:
1. Housing is a human right, and stable housing and safe living conditions are essential to health and well-being
2. Substance use is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue, and people who use drugs should not be criminalized
3. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect amidst the challenges they face, when interacting with local government
1. Housing is a human right, and stable housing and safe living conditions are essential to health and well-being
It is well known that homelessness and precarious housing are at crisis points in Toronto; in fact, Toronto City Council recently declared homelessness an emergency. In addition to a lack of affordable housing options for all income levels, there is a constant lack of emergency shelter spaces to accommodate the volume of people experiencing homelessness – a population in which Black, Indigenous, and other racialized groups continue to be over-represented. Given this reality, many people are sleeping outdoors, including in homeless encampments. The absence of a safe, stable place to sleep and access to the necessities of life makes it difficult to attain stability and adhere to a daily routine, which negatively impacts people’s physical and mental health, particularly during periods of inclement weather. As one Casey House nurse expressed, “For people without housing, managing their health requires so many things they just don’t have access to.”
The city’s housing charter and action plan recognize that housing is essential to the inherent dignity and well-being of the person, however this human right to housing is far from realized. While progress has been made, and while other orders of government have a role to play, there is much more work to do. The next Mayor of Toronto must exercise their power and responsibility to uphold and fulfill the human right to housing for all Torontonians. This entails allocating the maximum available resources, and using all appropriate means, to provide equitable, low-barrier access to adequate housing; and heeding the recommendations of Toronto’s Ombudsman to ensure a fair, consistent, transparent, and accountable response to homeless encampments.
2. Substance use is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue, and people who use drugs should not be criminalized
Despite substance use being a health issue it is treated as a criminal justice issue in Canada, which creates barriers to health services, particularly for people living in deep poverty. It leads health care providers to require that people stop using drugs in order to receive care; deters people from accessing services and supports which would build their resilience and improve their well-being; and drives the inevitable market of illegal drugs which have become increasingly toxic. Moreover, the criminalization of drugs is rooted in colonialism and racism, not in science or public health, and disproportionately impacts Black and Indigenous communities.
In Toronto, promising work is underway to address this systemic barrier: Toronto Public Health’s request to Health Canada to decriminalize illicit drug possession is a decisive policy action. Allowing the possession of drugs for personal use is imperative for decreasing stigma, creating pathways to health care, and improving health outcomes. Equally critical is how this policy change is implemented: it must be supported by a wide range of health and social services that respond to the diverse needs of people who use drugs, including harm reduction – a people-centred and evidence-based approach that aims to reduce the risks of substance use without judgment or preconditions of support. The next Mayor of Toronto must continue to lead and support the critical work underway to help protect people from a toxic drug supply; reduce the harms of substance use, including stigma and discrimination; and respect the health, dignity and human rights of people who use drugs.
3. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect amidst the challenges they face, when interacting with local government
The city’s community safety and well-being plan strives for Toronto to “Become a Trauma-Informed and Responsive City”, one that is “grounded and directed by a thorough understanding of the complete impacts of trauma, adversity, racism and violence on people, families and neighbourhoods.”
A trauma-informed approach accepts and understands the impact of trauma on someone’s life; provides an opportunity for people to express their needs and experiences without feeling judged; and cultivates safety in every interaction to build trusting relationships. In our city, this means providing supports and infrastructure that are accessible and responsive to people’s circumstances and reflect the lived experiences of people from all walks of life, so that everyone feels safe, supported, and respected. The next Mayor of Toronto must champion Toronto’s commitment to becoming a trauma-informed and responsive city by acknowledging the profound effects of systemic inequities on people’s lives; ensuring that city services are delivered to help people to achieve stability in their lives and address the barriers they face; and espouse the fundamental notion that everyone deserves judgment-free care and support.
Leading with unequivocal compassion
All levels of government have a vital role to play in addressing the social factors that determine health and well-being, and in improving health care and outcomes for people in high need. As Toronto embarks on a new chapter of municipal political leadership, thoughtfulness, transparency, accountability, and compassion are imperative to promoting the health, dignity, and human rights of all Torontonians.
Casey House recognizes and acknowledges that systemic inequities deeply affect our clients, and believes it is our responsibility to advocate for compassionate and socially-just health care. Our advocacy seeks to address the structural barriers that prevent optimal health, and improve the well-being of all people living with or at risk of HIV. To learn more, visit Advocacy.
Black History Month is an opportunity to honour Black Canadians and the contributions they make to this country, which span hundreds of years, back to the early 1600s. As a hospital with HIV expertise, it is also an opportunity to call attention to the reality that Black communities are over-represented in rates of HIV, and to consider this population’s distinct health care needs. Statistics show that African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities are disproportionately affected by the virus: although these communties made up less than 5% of Ontario’s population in 2015, they accounted for 25% of all new HIV diagnoses.
Barriers to accessing education and employment opportunities, and systemic racism, contribute to the ACB population in Ontario being at higher risk of acquiring HIV, and all too frequently stigma prevents people from accessing prevention, testing and treatment.
A recent study of HIV prevalence and risk factors among ACB people in Ontario¹ suggests that addressing social determinants of health, in particular income and employment related factors, might help lower their risk of acquiring HIV. As a hospital that embraces a holistic approach to health care, we are committed to considering these social factors that determine health and well-being when planning an individual’s care and to providing opportunities to address those factors through our services and programming. We also help reduce barriers to accessing health care by meeting clients where they are on their individual journeys of health and wellness, and taking time to partner with them to reach their health goals.
Another part of our hospital’s approach is to provide culturally-sensitive care without judgement. Creating an inclusive environment takes time, and trust, and in addition to refining our own service offerings, we build partnerships in the community to learn, share knowledge and make connections.
While Casey House’s philosophy and model of care helps support this population, having a team of staff, peers and volunteers that is reflective of the people we serve is also important; providers with lived experience is integral to delivering equitable health care. Casey House is committed to building such a team; one that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve, and encourages learners, job seekers, and those wishing to volunteer, to explore opportunities to join our team.
In addition to highlighting the health needs of the ACB population during Black History Month, we are committed to celebrating Black achievement by continuing to build internal knowledge and by hosting month-specific programming. At the same time, we are also taking the opportunity to look at how Casey House as an organization, and how each team member, is contributing to anti-Black racism and re-committing ourselves to dismantling the structures and behaviours that perpetuate racism. This is critical to the health of our team, our organization, and the clients we serve.
A cross-sectional investigation of HIV prevalence and risk factors among African, Caribbean and Black people in Ontario: The A/C Study, October 2022. Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Winston Husbands, Shamara Baidoobonso, Daeria Lawson, Muna Aden, Josephine Etowa, LaRon Nelson, Wangari Tharao
As a specialty hospital in Toronto that provides care for people who face multiple barriers to having their basic needs met, Casey House was pleased to share our recommendations for the 2023 Ontario Budget, as part of the public consultation process.
Casey House is committed to understanding our clients’ health concerns in the broader context of their lives. With the continuing drug poisoning crisis, housing crisis, and rising cost of living, the need to address the social factors that determine health and well-being is beyond urgent.
Casey House’s recommendations at a glance
While progress has been made in communities across the province, there is much more work to do – particularly to support people in high need for housing, mental health, and substance use supports. As a hospital, Casey House encourages the Ontario government to increase and improve access to:
Supportive housing for people coping with mental health and substance use challenges
Mental health and addictions care that doesn’t require abstinence from substance use
Wide-ranging harm reduction services and supports as part of overall health care
Casey House's recommendations
Read our full pre-budget submission for the 2023 Ontario Budget
The provincial government will table its 2023 Budget this spring.
Casey House recognizes and acknowledges that systemic inequities deeply affect our clients, and believes it is our responsibility to advocate for compassionate and socially-just health care. Our advocacy seeks to address the structural barriers that prevent optimal health, and improve the well-being of all people living with or at risk of HIV. To learn more, visit Advocacy.