About Us

VISION STATEMENT

People living with HIV in BC are healthy and free to lead purposeful and actively engaged lives in an accepting, inclusive community.

MISSION STATEMENT

The British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society exists to enable persons living with AIDS and HIV disease to empower themselves through mutual support and collective action. From our personal struggles and challenges come our courage and strength.

CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS

• Our Mission Statement is our guide to all we do.
• We foster, encourage and empower persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• We are inspired by our unique history and honour the contributions of our founding members.
• We celebrate and depend upon the abilities, diverse life experiences, knowledge, and beliefs of all persons living with HIV/AIDS.
• We are a member-driven society; people living with HIV/AIDS control and direct it.
• Confidentiality and privacy are intrinsic to the Society.
• Persons living with HIV/AIDS accept ownership of the virus in their bodies and take responsibility for dealing with it.
• We promote healthy behavior, respectful and honest interaction, and safe, supportive environments for all.
• We value giving and receiving support.
• We respect the identities of all persons.
• People living with HIV/AIDS have the right to make choices with respect to the quality of their lives.
• Persons living with HIV/AIDS have the right to live and die with dignity, free of stigma and discrimination.
• In delivering services and programs to our members and other HIV-positive persons, Board Members, staff and volunteers act in a manner consistent with these values and our mission statement.

SUMMARY OF BCPWA SOCIETY

The British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society (BCPWA Society) is dedicated to empowering persons living with HIV disease and AIDS through mutual support and collective action. It is Western Canada's largest AIDS organization with a membership of more than 4,400 HIV-positive individuals.

Unique among major HIV/AIDS agencies in Canada, BCPWA Society's Board of Directors is composed entirely of HIV-positive members. The Society provides support and advocacy services, treatment information and volunteer opportunities for its many diverse members.