In late January, Casey House gathered to celebrate the first-ever peer graduation ceremony, celebrating the outgoing cohort for their completion of two years of peer work. The departing fourteen peers collectively provided thousands of hours of client support guided by their lived experience, wisdom, skills, and a lot of heart.

Peers engage with clients to get a deeper understanding of their health status and build social connection. They work across all domains of the building, including outpatient, Blue Door Clinic, inpatient, and external accompaniments. Learn more about the peer program here.

During the ceremony, staff expressed their gratitude to the peers. They acknowledged how peers have built a safer landscape for clients to develop meaningful peer-client support connections and stronger clinical relationships. Many clients have experienced discrimination and trauma from health care institutions, so the warm guidance from peers enables clients to re-engage back with care providers. Similarly, most of our peers have experienced these traumas firsthand. We applaud the peers for their vulnerability and ability to channel their own lived experience towards counseling our clients.

Next, our peer coordinator shared kind words, client feedback, and anecdotes about each graduate. They walked across our stage and received a commemorative certificate. The room was filled with smiles, cheers, and joy as the group was celebrated.

So what’s next for our peers? Many go on to join different peer programs in the community or leverage the experience to find employment elsewhere. We are also pleased to announce that one graduating peer received a full scholarship to a community health worker program. It is bittersweet to bid these peers farewell. Though, some of them still access clinical services as clients or they are always welcomed to return and say hello. And, they pass on their torch to the incoming cohort of peers ready to make an impact.

Casey House peers are people with diverse lived experience who are trained to assist clients through their health journeys. Peer support provides social care which complements the multidisciplinary clinical team. Izi has been a peer since September 2025, and describes his journey to be one of healing and compassion.

Izi discovered Casey House during an exceptionally difficult period. As a person living with HIV, he experienced harsh stigma which led to depressive feelings and social isolation. Over many decades, loneliness persisted. Even in spaces that claimed to be supportive for those with HIV, Izi often felt completely isolated and misunderstood by others. Looking back, he wishes that he had a peer to support him during these times of heartache; someone who could understand his experience without judgement or explanation.

When he finally arrived at Casey House, Izi felt like he’d found his home, a place where people offered unconditional compassion and warmth. The entire team affirmed that even in his most fragile, broken moments, he still mattered. Afterwards, Izi felt empowered by his experience and wanted to support others who may have felt as alone as he did before Casey House. He doesn’t claim to be an expert, just a fellow human being who understands the power of presence, empathy, and respect in care.

As a peer, Izi’s work takes place in the intangible space that comes with social care. Oftentimes, he chats with clients or will accompany them to programs and services. Though the interactions may seem small—like listening, sharing a laugh, offering empathy and a shoulder to cry on—being present for a client lets them know they are valued here. Izi stands alongside clients to hold their pain and provide encouragement when they need it most. His favourite moments are when a client opens up after trust is built and they feel safe in his presence. Those breakthroughs reinforce his determination to help others as a peer.

Since joining the peer program, Izi has learned to value the importance of vulnerability. He has learned to become more patient, compassionate, and grounded; a client’s healing is not always linear, but sometimes just showing up is the bravest thing someone can do. He has heard from clients that his connections with them gives them hope, light, humour, and joy. One client in particular thanked Izi for seeing them as they truly are, unwavering. In reflection, Izi says the greatest mercy we can offer another human being is the simple, profound grace of witnessing their existence without flinching.

The peer program is significant for Izi because it fills the gaps unreached by traditional medicine. Healing can come from anywhere, and sometimes that powerful “medicine” comes from the human spirit. Izi says that peers don’t come with all the answers, but they stand as a testament to perseverance after surviving some truly dark depths. Being a peer is not just a role, it’s a commitment to showing up each day with love, courage, and understanding.

To learn more about the peer program, visit our website here.

Casey House peers are people with diverse lived experience who are trained to assist clients through their health journeys. Peer support provides social care which complements the multidisciplinary clinical team. Tom is member of the peer program, who works predominantly with our supervised consumption services (SCS).

Tom became a Casey House client in November 2024. He was referred to the outpatient program by his psychiatrist, who encouraged him to pursue social opportunities amidst his struggles with mental health and isolation. He joined several recreational therapy groups including yoga and music therapy. He also came for lunch on a daily basis, where he found fellowship among others who shared similar experiences and reasons for being clients at Casey House. He had noticed a group of people consistently chatting and sitting with client and asked a friend about them, who told him about the Casey House peer program and the upcoming enrollment of new peers. Tom submitted his application online, recounted his lived experience with the peer coordinator, which included substance use, and was accepted into the program in April 2025.

As a peer in the SCS, Tom spends his time building relationships with clients before and after they use substances by offering practical advice relating to harm reduction and friendly social support. Conversation topics can range from substance usage, personal relationships, life advice, other outpatient services at Casey House, and everything in between. Tom also assists the clinical staff monitoring clients in the SCS lounge in the event of an adverse reaction or overdose. Here, clients can enjoy snacks, warm drinks, or rest. Many clients who use the SCS are unhoused or have unstable lifestyles, so they appreciate having a reliable and safer place to use while seeing a familiar face.

Over the course of just a few months, Tom has interacted with many clients and witnessed the ups and downs of their lives alongside them. For those who return, he welcomes them without judgement and seeks to provide the best and safest possible experience using their substances. Tom values the opportunity to make deep connections with clients and says becoming a peer was a life changing moment for him–he finally found his purpose and his community thanks to this role.

Reflecting on his own experience, Tom recalls the unknown world he stepped into when he began using substances. There was no textbook on how to navigate substance use; supervised consumption sites and harm reduction principles did not formally exist yet. The challenges he encountered daily changed with his substance use, and the previous supports he had from his social circles, employer, and lifelong doctor were not able to help him effectively. It was during these difficult periods that Tom wishes he had a peer to guide him.

Tom wants more people to learn about the comprehensive care Casey House provides. He acknowledges the stark difference between learning about care through traditional modes of education and interacting face-to-face with clients. Tom feels part of the greater team that empowers clients to feel supported and resilient before returning to the outside world. “We don’t just provide needles, syringes, and alcohol pads [in the SCS], there’s a lot more to it. There’s warmth, heart, and a lot of love. That’s what the peer program is all about.”

To learn more about the peer program, visit our website here.

Casey House’s peer program integrates people with lived experience as part of our hospital’s interdisciplinary clinical team. Peers bridge the gap between community needs and clinical services by drawing from their own personal experiences to  support clients. The program aims to meaningfully assist clients, develop personal and professional growth for peers, and to acknowledge the valued expertise of people with lived experience,. Working in collaboration with peers is an important aspect of Casey House’s commitment to the greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS and meaningful engagement of people living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA/MEPA).

Becoming a peer

Prospective peers must share at least one aspect of our clients’ lives, such as living with HIV, experience with substance use, mental health management, or other barriers to accessing health care, and be ready to support other folks in their journey. Many peers begin as Casey House clients, who hear about the program or interact with peers directly. Interested community members fill out an application and go through an interview process to share more about their interests, lived experience, and motivation to do peer work.  Successful applicants do not have to be “perfect applicants”, as the peer program is designed to be mutually beneficial for Casey House and the peer to grow through hands-on experience during the two-year program.

Next, the onboarding process includes two full days of in-person training, online training, and shadowing with an experienced peer. Teachings include Casey House’s missions and values, service offerings, client engagement, harm reduction, active listening, multiple loss journey, and client privacy.

What do peers do?

Peers work all throughout the hospital for personal appointments or in group settings like the lunch program.

Outpatient: Peers can be found as soon as a community member walks through the doors at Casey House. They welcome people, conduct tours, outline Casey House’s services, and check in with people relaxing in the June Callwood den, which has a hot beverage and snack station. For people visiting for the first time, it helps to have a friendly face welcome them. And, for returning clients, peers touch base with them about their personal lives and health goals.

For people accessing the weekday lunch service, peers welcome them in and connect one-on-one. This is an opportunity for prospective clients to learn more about our clinical services, how to become a client, and even be introduced to some of the clinicians who are present during lunch. For community members interested in becoming a client, peers assist them as they fill out the paperwork. This guided procedure helps to take away some of the stress that comes when entering an unfamiliar health care facility.

At the supervised consumption services (SCS), harm reduction peers can be found in the SCS lounge, where clients who have used their substance can relax and enjoy snacks. They monitor clients for adverse reactions or overdose and build rapport over time. Grounded in their lived experience, peers provide judgement-free care for clients no matter their life circumstances.

Inpatient: For clients admitted to our inpatient unit, peers provide friendly visits and a social connection. Peers work in tandem with a client’s clinical care team to learn more about what they are going through and what support they may need. They may listen to their feelings, play games, go for a walk together, or even accompany them to an external medical appointment. Scheduled meetings with a peer can be comforting when a client is admitted to the inpatient unit for extended periods of time.

Blue Door Clinic: Peers anticipating a new Blue Door Clinic client will welcome them into Casey House, orient them to the space, and get them checked in. They go over what to expect in the appointment and help the client feel more at ease. They learn about what additional social assistance services the clients may need. In some cases, peers will accompany clients to the appointment and translate between the client and the provider.

Accompaniments: Across the different streams of care, peers can accompany clients offsite to different clinical and non-clinical appointments as their advocate. A client may have experienced stigma and discrimination in medical settings, so the support of a peer can make accessing care feel safer. Peers accompany clients to appointments and ask questions, take notes, and make sure the client’s needs are met. For clients whose primary language is not English, they feel confident with the peer’s translation, as it comes from someone they know and trust. Peers can also help clients navigate social services, such as government identification clinics or food banks. This can decrease anxiety for people accessing crucial services outside of Casey House.

The impact of the peer program

Peers provide an additional layer of client care grounded in lived experience, empathy, and trust. Clients can show up authentically when they know they have a peer who advocates for their needs, demonstrates understanding, and offers mutual respect. Clients frequently express how meaningful connection and support from peers are. Peers spend additional time with each client, gradually tailoring the relationship to a much more detailed level of care that traditional health care providers often cannot offer.  In the case of translation, having culturally accessible care is essential for client comfort, particularly for clients who have endured discrimination and stigma, having a peer guiding them through the health care system can be a healing experience that restores their resiliency.

Peers often express a sense of fulfillment and purpose derived from peer work. Practically, the peer program also provides an opportunity for people to build skills applicable to social service work and health care positions later.

“A client came to the Blue Door Clinic for the first time and was supported by a peer with similar lived experience who spoke the same language as him. The client was so happy and grateful for the tailored support the peer provided. He shared he had never felt so supported and safe in a health care setting. The client and peer then had lunch together at Casey House, and I witnessed the way they interacted with each other, with such attention and care. To me, this really highlights the innate care the peers possess and how it translates into every interaction with clients.”

—  Sofia, peer program coordinator.

Ultimately, the peer program is a ground-breaking approach to care that focuses on the holistic elements of health care. Peers and clients develop a relationship grounded in humanity and respect. The peer-client relationship produces better health outcomes that empower clients in the process. Casey House is grateful for the skills, expertise, and time that peers commit to clients so that they can feel safer and seen.

Casey House’s 1991 memorial quilt, which commemorates clients who died that year, has been restored thanks to volunteer quilting committee members Arthur Wong and Glenn Bell.

Memorial quilts hold deep significance in the HIV/AIDS movement and queer history. The tradition started with the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt first displayed in 1987 in Washington D.C. as a form of activism and a way for friends and loved ones to memorialize those they had lost. Casey House’s first quilt, which honours 1988 clients, was an original panel in the NAMES Project Quilt and is included in the digital archive of the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt.

At Casey House, quilts are designed and sewn by a volunteer committee. Quilting volunteers contribute countless hours and an incredible amount of craftsmanship to each handmade quilt. For many years, friends and family members were invited to contribute to the quilts honouring their loved one. As a result, a variety of different mediums were employed to accommodate different levels of skill and creativity, including embroidery, gel paints, digitally printed fabric, beading, fabric glue, fabric markers, and more.

The 1991 quilt marked a significant year for Casey House, Princess Diana of Wales visited the hospital and was famously photographed shaking hands with clients living with HIV. A fictional retelling of this visit was adapted into a stageplay called Casey & Diana, which premiered at Stratford Theatre in 2023.  In a rare occurrence, the 1991 quilt was loaned and displayed outside the walls of Casey House to Stratford Festival, then Soulpepper Theatre (Toronto) and Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) to accompany their productions of the play. After a chance encounter with museum curators, the quilt was then included in the Quilts: Made in Canada exhibition at Royal Ontario Museum.

After its tour, it was sent back to volunteer quilting committee members Arthur and Glenn for repairs because while on display they’d noticed that several of the names were faded or had completely disappeared. This is from regular wear inside, but also because early quilts were taken outdoors on occasion to community events or parades and UV exposure in addition to natural aging after multiple decades, compounded the wear and tear of some quilts.

The faded names were corroborated through old photos and our archived records. In some cases where the blocks were completely blank, Arthur used UV lights to detect traces of faded pigment and make out the names. With a better understanding of the repairs needed, the duo began cutting and hand stitching fabric letters that would be more durable than the previous pigments. Structural repairs to the quilt were also made to the display rod sleeve on the back.

We are in awe of the craftsmanship and dedication of our quilting committee members, who generously contribute their time and skills to remember the legacies of those who died at Casey House. Casey House deeply thanks Arthur Wong and Glenn Bell for completing the tremendous undertaking of this reparation, and we look forward to proudly displaying it onsite once again in our seasonal rotation.

Learn more about the quilts and Arthur from Casey House’s 2023-24 impact report here.

From stages to dance floors, drag joy has long been part of Casey House.

At the height of the AIDS epidemic, when fear and stigma were widespread, the Toronto drag community rallied to support a radical idea: a hospice for people dying of AIDS.

What followed was a remarkable series of drag show fundraisers that would shape the future of compassionate HIV/AIDS care in this city.

Between 1987 and 2007, ten drag productions – collectively known as DQ – raised more than one million dollars for Casey House.

These shows were bold, glamourous, and deeply communal. With casts of more than 60 performers and multi-day runs, productions like The Sequin, Lucky Lady and Diva Oz Vegas played to full houses and enthusiastic audiences. They were theatrical, cheeky and dazzling!

But as entertaining as they were, the shows couldn’t stop the impact of AIDS, which was felt both on and off stage.

By the early 1990s, more than 20% of DQ cast members had died as a result of HIV- many at Casey House. Performers honoured those they had lost while continuing to show up, often while managing their own health challenges. They danced while grieving friends. They fundraised while facing their own diagnosis.

Joy was not an escape.
It was an act of love.
An act of resistance.
It was care.

Seventeen years after the last DQ show – a new fundraiser was reborn in that same spirit.

David’s Disco is a high-energy dance party, featuring a drag performance, music that keeps people moving, a silent auction, and unexpected moments in every corner of the packed dance floor.

In only its second year, tickets sold out and it raised over $500,000. The disco was a roaring success.

But David’s Disco is more than a fabulous party.

It’s named in honour of David Shannon, an activist, journalist, and beloved community leader who died at Casey House in 2018 at the age of 55.

In his twenties, David won hearts with his exuberant and witty portrayals of Montreal gay life through his column Out in the City and The Homo Show on McGill radio. As he experienced the devastating losses of the AIDS epidemic -including the death of his best friend – David became an articulate and passionate advocate for the gay community, speaking out against police hostility and the indifference of the wider world.

He also worked to combat the loneliness experienced by people living with HIV. David co-founded AIDS Community Care Montreal (ACCM) and volunteered as an AIDS buddy, offering comfort and companionship to strangers facing the end of life.

David went on to have a long and successful journalism career at CBC in both Montreal and Toronto, and he was a much-loved brother and uncle. At his request, his funeral was a disco dance party -filled with memories, laughter, tears, and, of course, dancing.

David’s Disco is inspired by that final wish.

It is an opportunity to celebrate David Shannon, to honour the drag artists and activists who came before him, and to remember all those who have been cared for at Casey House. Funds raised from the evening support compassionate care for individuals living with and at risk of HIV – today and into the future.

While years apart, DQ and David’s Disco hold similar missions. They are part of the same story. We come together. We celebrate. We move to the beat.

Who will you dance for?

David’s Disco, Saturday March 28 at The Concert Hall.

Study reveals only 44% of Canadians are confident that people living with HIV receive stigma-free health care when they need it – a gap the film recognizes through storytelling

TORONTO – February 19, 2026 — Casey House – a hospital unlike any other providing care for people living with and at risk of HIV – today announces the release of Big Fucking Deal, directed by Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Hubert Davis, as part of the hospital’s ongoing Smash Stigma campaign.

Thanks to decades of scientific innovation, HIV is medically manageable for many people. But the ability to access and sustain consistent HIV care is not equally shared, especially when barriers compound and reinforce one another. A study commissioned by Casey House found that more than half of Canadians (54%) don’t feel they understand what it means to live with HIV today – a gap that leaves stigma unchallenged and barriers unseen. Big Fucking Deal responds by demonstrating how stigma intensifies and outcomes diverge when an HIV diagnosis intersects with challenges such as housing insecurity, substance use dependency, mental health challenges, and discrimination tied to identity.

“We’ve made extraordinary progress in HIV treatment, but equity has not kept pace,” said Joanne Simons, CEO, Casey House. “This film, the sixth edition of our longstanding Smash Stigma initiative, is a call to see the full humanity of people living with HIV. It asks Canadians to replace assumption with understanding and empathy, especially when other challenges are present in people’s lives.”

For people navigating multiple barriers at once, the difference between treatment being available and treatment being truly accessible and sustainable can be enormous. It can mean trying to stay connected to care without stable housing, managing mental illness amid trauma or poverty, or facing discrimination that makes seeking support feel unsafe. The film centres these realities not to sensationalize them, but to make visible what stigma often obscures: the human cost of being misunderstood, unsupported, or judged.

“We approached this as a human story first, not a diagnosis,” said Hubert Davis, founder of Folktale films and director of the film. “It’s about what people are carrying, and how that load is magnified for those living with HIV but also confronting difficult realities of housing, mental illness and substance use dependency. We wanted to honour that reality without over-simplifying it. If Big Fucking Deal does one thing, I hope it helps people see stigma differently and see the person first.”

This tension shows up in what Canadians think it takes to live with HIV today. Medication is widely understood, with 82% of Canadians saying consistent access to medication is typically required to stay healthy. However, fewer recognize the role of stigma-free health care (63%) and stable housing (48%) in making consistent care possible. Trust in care is also fragile: only 44% of Canadians say they are confident that people living with HIV in Canada receive stigma-free health care when they need it.

“The science is clear: HIV treatment works. But there are still gaps in understanding, and too little confidence that people will receive stigma-free care when they need it,” said Yasser Ismail, Chief Strategy & Knowledge Officer, Casey House. “That’s exactly the gap Casey House exists to close, by meeting people where they are and ensuring care is delivered with dignity and without judgement.”

Watch and learn more
To watch the film, learn more about the campaign and Casey House’s work to deliver compassionate, stigma-free HIV care, visit SmashStigma.ca.

High-res images and campaign assets can be found here.

To book an interview with any of our following spokespeople or for more information about Big Fucking Deal please contact:

Sheri Clish
sheri.clish@narrativexpr.com

Spokespeople available for interviews include:

• Joanne Simons, CEO of Casey House
• Hubert Davis, film Director
• Norrad Bouzide, Person with lived experience accessing and providing care

About Casey House:

Casey House is unlike any other hospital. They are a specialty hospital in Toronto providing ground-breaking care to people living with and at risk of HIV. Together with clients, staff, peers and volunteers, they strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe. Casey House offers 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, they’re also tackling the deeply ingrained stigma associated with HIV. With bold ideas and brave partners, they make the humanity of each client the heart of everything they do.

Survey Methodology:

These findings are from a survey conducted by Casey House from January 16 to 20, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,511 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Get ready to rally your team, hit the court and support HIV stigma-free care – Set Smash Rally is coming in June!

What is Set Smash Rally?

At its core – Set Smash Rally is a one-day indoor volleyball tournament in support of Casey House, a specialty hospital in Toronto providing care for people living with and at risk of HIV. This isn’t just about competition (though there will be plenty of that), it’s about community, compassion, and coming together to make real impact.

Here’s what to expect:

• Short, action-packed volleyball games
• Fun skills challenges that keep the energy high
• The chance to play alongside an athletic champion
• A day filled with teamwork, connection, and celebration

Whether you’re diving for every ball or cheering from the sidelines – we can’t wait to see you there.

Why Set Smash Rally?

SET – A tournament-style day where community, competition and purpose meet.

SMASH – Yes, we are smashing a volleyball, but it is much more than that!

• Stigma around people living with and at risk of HIV
• Barriers to care, understanding and compassion
• Personal and team goals, pushing ourselves to show up fully

RALLY

Rally for someone who matters:

• A friend, partner or family member
• A colleague or community member
• You
• Or simply for a belief in compassionate, dignified, and equitable care

Why We’re Playing for Casey House

Despite incredible advancements in HIV treatment, the need for specialized, compassionate care remains.

• HIV is a chronic condition with no cure or vaccine
• New infections continue to occur across Canada
• People living with HIV are more likely to experience additional health challenges and social stigma

Casey House exists to meet these realities head-on. Casey House provides holistic inpatient and outpatient care that supports not only physical health, but mental well-being and social connection. At Casey House, every person is met with humanity.

How You Can Get Involved

Getting involved in Set Smash Rally is simple – it all starts with your team.

First, become a corporate sponsor. Every sponsor gets to enter at least one team in the tournament, supporting Casey House while creating a meaningful team-building experience. Learn how to be a sponsor or sign up your team by emailing Bonte at bminnema@caseyhouse.ca.

Once registered, assign a team captain. Your captain rallies the team, coordinates communication, and leads fundraising efforts.

Next, recruit teammates. Invite colleagues to join the roster!

Then it’s time to fundraise. Share your “why,” set goals, and smash those goals as a team.

Finally, celebrate on game day. Hit the court, cheer each other on, and enjoy a fast-paced day of volleyball, community, and impact.

Not playing? You can still make a difference by donating, sharing, or cheering on participants as they rally toward their goals.

Ready to join the rally?

Whether you’re setting the ball, smashing a point, or rallying your community, your involvement helps ensure people living with and at risk of HIV receive the care, dignity, and compassion they deserve. Follow along at SetSmashRally.ca

Dig deep, set high, smash it all!