The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society is a registered not-for-profit organization providing social services and support for people impacted by AIDS/HIV.

Beginning as a weekly support group, The Heart of Richmond was founded following meetings with a number of people in the community who were living with HIV/AIDS or were involved as a family member, friend or caregiver. The Heart of Richmond was incorporated as a society and designated as a charitable organization in 1997. One of our proudest achievements has been the creation, in partnership with Richmond Health Services, of the Gilwest Clinic a fully staffed HIV/AIDS Clinic at Richmond Hospital.

The support group continues to be an important aspect of our organization. It meets on a weekly basis, often with guest speakers, and we also organize a dinner once per month. For most of each year this dinner is hosted by the Outreach Committee of South Arm United Church. We find that the nature of the support group is continually changing and we adjust its format to meet the needs of the clients, particularly those who have been recently diagnosed.

Our Outreach Worker is very active, working with our clients through advice and referral, advocacy for suitable low-cost housing, assistance in attending doctors appointments and general support.

Our High School Education Prevention Program has been highly successfully reaching 1500 students per year. We also conduct formal educational seminars on awareness and prevention and have arranged displays at many public events, particularly around World AIDS Day on December 1st. We also distribute condom packages in locations frequented by young people.

The Grocery Voucher Program has also been a fundamental part of our work and is a key support ensuring adequate nutrition for our clients who have low or fixed incomes.