The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society was founded in 1997 when a small group of Richmond residents, who were infected or affected by HIV, came together and started a weekly Support Group. The organization became a registered non-profit society in April 1997 and received charitable status in July of that same year. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors, that is made up of community volunteers. The Board strictly adheres to the Society Act.

The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society is a registered non-profit organization. Our generous funders support our efforts to provide services and support within the community.

The Society works with a variety of organizations in Richmond, including Richmond Health Services and Richmond Addiction Services. We also work closely with the Gilwest Clinic (the HIV/AIDS Clinic at the Richmond Hospital) and were the main advocate for its establishment. The Heart of Richmond is also represented on a number of committees, including the Richmond Community Services Advisory Council, the Richmond Substance Abuse Task Force, and the Community HIV/AIDS Committee.

The Heart of Richmond provides support services to people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as those affected (family members, partners, friends, caregivers) by the disease. In addition, the Society’s work includes a prevention/awareness component.

Special Note:
The term STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) is now commonly used in the health field in place of STD. STI is more encompassing as it includes infections that may be asymptomatic. The term STI is used more frequently on this website, but the term STD may still be used in some links and in earlier publications. ~Source: Health Canada Website