Our Story

Beginning as a weekly support group, The Heart of Richmond was created through meetings with members of the community who were living with HIV or were impacted through family, friends and caregivers. Upon discovering there were no medical or support services in Richmond, the founding members believed it was essential to establish an organization that would provide access to those affected.

No longer would Richmond residents be required to travel to downtown Vancouver for services thanks to The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society, which opened in 1997. In partnership with Richmond Health Services, we are proud to have opened the Gilwest Clinic at the Richmond Hospital, a fully-staffed HIV clinic that has been in operation since 1999, in addition to offering non-medical support services.

Today, we continue to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding HIV — one member of the community at a time.

Our Story

Beginning as a weekly support group, The Heart of Richmond was created through meetings with members of the community who were living with HIV or were impacted through family, friends and caregivers. Upon discovering there were no medical or support services in Richmond, the founding members believed it was essential to establish an organization that would provide access to those affected.

No longer would Richmond residents be required to travel to downtown Vancouver for services thanks to The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society, which opened in 1997. In partnership with Richmond Health Services, we are proud to have opened the Gilwest Clinic at the Richmond Hospital, a fully-staffed HIV clinic that has been in operation since 1999, in addition to offering non-medical support services.

Today, we continue to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding HIV — one member of the community at a time.

Our mission at The Heart of Richmond is to identify the needs and develop the support services/programs for persons living with HIV, their families, friends and caregivers. We aim to provide education and public awareness regarding HIV and the prevention of transmission.

Organizational Structure

The Heart of Richmond operates through an elected board comprising of twelve members. Our organization’s constitution requires that at least two board members be HIV positive, which we comply with at all times. Our Outreach Worker works full-time and is responsible for operating programs that support our members. Administrative duties are performed by the Society’s part-time Coordinator/Office Administrator. We are continuously supported by volunteers who work on the various activities hosted by the Society, including our annual fundraiser.

We also partner with the following organizations: representatives of Volunteer Richmond’s “Leadership Now” program, who work on projects with the Society; the Gilwest Clinic and the Oak Tree Clinic (HIV clinics in Richmond and Vancouver); Richmond Health Services and Richmond Addiction Services; the Outreach Committee of the South Arm United Church, who prepares and serves the monthly dinners for our support group.

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Join us in our efforts to fight together against HIV by donating! Every penny works toward providing better services to the Heart of Richmond members and the Richmond community.

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