Open to all our HIV-positive clients, Independent Living Skills is a holistic health education and peer support program that empowers HIV positive immigrants with the skills, knowledge and social networks they need to lead healthy and engaged lives.

Four afternoons a week, workshops provide practical knowledge and skills in a caring, supportive and multilingual environment. Topics addressed include health literacy and HIV treatment information, cooking and nutrition, fitness and wellness, computer literacy and personal finance. Yoga and acupuncture are integral to the program, and an African lunch prepared together are part of every day’s activities.

The Independent Living Skills program is facilitated by an African immigrant peer counselor who is living with HIV and provides mentoring, counseling and intervention for clients in need.

Advocacy is an integral part of the Independent Living Skills program and aims to enrich and empower participants to challenge HIV stigma, be their own best advocates and remain integrated and active in their communities.