Through innovation and collaboration, ACCKWA will lead our community in the reduction of HIV-related infection, stigma and discrimination, and improve HIV care and support to individuals and families.
ACCKWA The AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo & Area envisions a community in which all people receive the highest quality support and resources to make informed decisions about HIV/AIDS that meet individual needs, promote acceptance and cultivate self-determination.
ACCKWA responds to the changing needs of Waterloo Region community and individuals infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS through the provision of prevention, education, advocacy and support programs and services.
We believe that all people have a right to live, work and receive service in an atmosphere of mutual respect, compassion and dignity. ACCKWA fully supports the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and as a result, all service users are treated in a non-judgemental and non-discriminatory manner. We strive to promote equity through our advocacy efforts.
We value confidential, respective, responsive, flexible and caring services that promote the well being of people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. We will strive to provide services in the most responsive and flexible manner possible as available resources allow.
We value the rights of individuals to make informed choices that include, but are not limited to: sex, sexuality, reproduction, substance use, treatment, and health care. ACCKWA considers itself “sex positive”. As such, we respect the choice to remain abstinent, we respect the choice to practice safer sex, and we respect the right for an individual to be proud of their sexual orientation.
We are committed to a risk and harm reduction approach in providing information, education and programs in the effort to decrease people’s risk of HIV infection. We accept people where they are at in their lives and encourage and support them to make choices that promote healthier living.