HOW ACT MAKES A DIFFERENCE: TANIA'S STORY

"I came to Canada to make a new life for myself, with the hope that one day I could sponsor my family to join me. When I found out that I was HIV-positive during the immigration process, it changed everything. How can I call my family and tell them? What will they think? No one at home wants to hear that I have HIV. I felt like I was all alone.

I came to ACT thinking that, at the very least, I could talk to someone who would understand, who wouldn't judge me, who could help me sort through things. Not only did I find a friendly ear in my case manager, but I learned so many things about HIV/AIDS. I found lots of information, and I was able to find a listing of doctors who specialized in HIV care. Over the years I've used a lot of ACT's programs such as Employment ACTion, the Income Tax Clinic and the Women's Coffee Night, where I met other positive women -- even one who came from my home country, who has become a good friend and someone that I can talk to."