ACO Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear ACO Community,

Due to the growing concerns regarding the community transmission of COVID-19, and Ottawa Public Health recommendations that all Ottawa residents limit “non-essential” travel out of their homes, and avoid public gatherings, and strengthen social distancing, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa is suspending all drop-in services and programs in the Living Room, except essential supports, effective Tuesday, March 17th.

The following services and programs are temporarily cancelled until further notice:

• Living Room support groups, socials and general drop-in programs, including the daily lunch program
• Education and Prevention services at bathhouses, bars, clubs and public events
• ACB Health Zone
• ACO programming at Gay Zone
• Rapid testing on Mondays
• Tool Shed Harm Reduction Dispensary
• Volunteer Program workshops and skills-building

The following essential services and programs will be offered during this time:

• Weekly food bank
• One-on-one support, in person, on an appointment basis
• Phone support
• Online outreach
• Income tax clinic

At ACO, our main priority right now is the health and safety of our participants, staff, volunteers and community members. Together, as a community, we will get through this challenging and uncertain time. If you need more information on risk reduction associated with COVID-19, please visit: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx

If you have any questions and/or concerns about ACO services and programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to the following staff members:

• Support Services and the Living Room
  Cory Wong
  (613) 238-5014 ext. 227
  Cory@aco-cso.ca
• Education and Prevention Services and Programs
  Haoua Inoua
  (613) 238-5014 ext. 237
  Haoua@aco-cso.ca
• Volunteer Programs
  Peter Szanto
  (613) 238-5014 ext. 228
  Peter@aco-cso.ca

As a team, we are committed to doing our very best to provide you with any essential supports you may need during this difficult time, and we sincerely hope to resume our normal services and programs as soon as possible. Stay safe and be well.

Sincerely,

Khaled Salam
Executive Director
AIDS Committee of Ottawa
(613) 238-5014
Khaled@aco-cso.ca