Community Partnerships

AIDS Saskatoon gets by with a little help from our friends. The following highlights a few of the ongoing successful partnerships AIDS Saskatoon has formed with organizations in the community. Full list of community partners.

Motherhood Project

Dr. Pamela Downe, UofS Dept. of Anthropology & Archaeology

The project, entitled "HIV/AIDS, Maternal Health, and Motherhood: Health-Related Behaviours, Programming Implications, and Narrative Constructions" examines the experiences of mothers and of motherhood in the context of HIV/AIDS. Katherine Shwetz, AIDS Saskatoon's Community Based Researcher, works closely with co-investigator Dr. Pamela Downe, Department of Anthropology & Archaeology at the University of Saskatchewan. The Motherhood Project is funded through the Canadian Institute for Health Research.

The project seeks to gain insight into the complex relationship between culturally understood experiences of motherhood and a context of HIV/AIDS in Canada. Through this understanding, we hope to identify the structures needed to provide adequate supports to mothers infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. We have found that, despite the multitude of attention payed to pregnancy, there is an alarming gap in attention and knowledge regarding the lives of the mothers after they have given birth and begun breastfeding. Through the use of narrative-based interviews, research, and a photovoice project, we hope to be able to acknowledge and understand the specific needs of a mother living infected of affected by HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Pamela Downe is a medical anthropologist at the University of Saskatchewan and Department Head of Archaeology & Anthropology. Dr. Downe’s research spans 6 countries, and – most recently – she is working with AIDS Saskatoon on a project that explores parenthood in the context of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis-C. This research is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.

Needle Exchange

Saskatoon Health Region - Public Health Services

AIDS Saskatoon's Needle Exchange program is run in partnership with SHR's Public Health Services. They provide supplies, equipment and training, and AIDS Saskatoon provides space and staffing. See Needle Exchange for more information.

AIDS Walk for Life

Avenue Community Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity

Held in September with partner the Avenue Community Centre, the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is AIDS Saskatoon's largest fundraiser of the year. Funds (and organizing work) are split evenly between the two organizations -- partnering allows both of our organizations to reach the broadest community possible.

The Power of Many

Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon

The Power of Many program began in 2001 as a collaboration in recruiting, training, scheduling and appreciating volunteers. AIDS Saskatoon's Volunteer Coordinator spends one afternoon a week at SHCS; there, she trains SHCS's clinic volunteers and organizes volunteers for special events. The Power of Many partnership is funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada.