How ACT Makes a Difference:
Positive Youth Outreach (PYO)

Positive Youth Outreach (PYO) is an important support service in Toronto which seeks to empower, support, and affirm the lives of young people under 30 living with HIV/AIDS. What impact do targeted support services have on youth living with HIV/AIDS? Let them tell you in their own words why these services are necessary.

“I was 16 when I found out I was born with HIV…PYO saved my life…being with similar people gave me a reason to live and a place to come.”

“I shared my story for the first time at PYO and they took interest in my story.  It was like a weight being lifted – there are people the same as me.”

“It meant a lot to me knowing that there are at least 40 more years of life to live.”

“Being with similar people gave me a place to come and a reason to live.”

“I attended a National Conference and saw a member of PYO speak – it resonated the most to me – seeing another positive youth having a powerful impact on an adult audience.”

“It’s a safe place to communicate with other young people who are also positive.”

“It was really like a life line back in the early days of my diagnosis, since then it has become an on-going support and a sort of family to me.”

“PYO provides a safe place for inclusiveness and belonging to all young people living with HIV/AIDS.”