What is the SHARE Program?

The SHARE Program is designed to give voice to those who are living with and affected by HIV/AIDS to help the public at large understand some of the psychosocial, emotional and practical day to day impacts that living with or being affected by HIV/AIDS presents. The volunteer speakers are trained to challenge the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS by putting a human face to the disease and making their story a living reality.

Where do we speak?

The SHARE Program is invited to speak at many diverse and interesting venues. Our volunteers have presented in schools, community partners, churches, workplaces, for the media, and at special events.

Presentations and Booths

In addition to the SHARE program, the AIDS Committee of London has an exceptionally educated staff willing and able to provide information on a wide range of topics related to HIV and AIDS. From discrimination to universal precautions, the staff can design a presentation and present onsite at your location. We can also provide information booths should you be hosting an information fair, health fair or otherwise. We can also provide you with educational materials such as HIV/AIDS basics, testing information and safer sex. All of these services are provided free of charge, but donations are always appreciated.

Request a Presentation for your Group or Event

If you’d like to request a SHARE speaker, a presentation on HIV/AIDS or an information booth please complete our request form with as much detail as you can provide, or call Daniel Pugh (Interim Director of Education) 519-434-1601 x 230 for more information.
We kindly ask that you submit your request at least 3 weeks in advance to assure that we can meet your request.

Download a request form below and email it to Daniel Pugh (Interim Director of Education) dpugh@aidslondon.com or fax to 519-434-1843.  Thanks for your interest!

Click here for the form in Excel format
Click here for the form in PDF format

Become a speaker

Living with HIV or AIDS? Have a story to tell that might make a difference to the lives of others? The SHARE program provides full training to those who are infected and affected and who wish to share their story. The first step is to attend a general orientation and basic education series that the AIDS Committee of London provides onsite (See home page for upcoming dates). You’ll then meet with the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss the actual details of the SHARE specific training. When you’ve completed the training, the group itself will evaluate your presentation as well as the coordinator and here you’ll receive feedback and encouragement as you continue to hone your speaking skills.

If you would like information on becoming a SHARE volunteer, please contact Natalie Hebert, (accent on second e) Coordinator of Volunteer Services at nhebert@aidslondon.com 

Meet the Speakers

Melissa – 40years of age, B.A. Psychology 
I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason.  I don't claim to always know what that reason is but what I do know is I am meant to be telling you my story.  I decided to tell my story in hopes that my words will make a difference. That when you see me, an ordinary everyday woman, your perceptions, stereotypes or possible judgments about HIV will change, and one less HIV+ person will feel the stigma and discrimination that goes with this disease. That someone in this room, hearing my story will walk out those doors and change the way they protect themselves.  That is why I am here telling you my story.

Russ – Russ is a 55-year-old gentleman who for a long time has been committed to helping people feel better about themselves. He has been settled in London Ontario for some 31 years and has seen this world without HIV/AIDS and has followed it ever since it came to London in the early 80’s. He’s been to many funerals of friends and also lost a partner in 1997. Since then he has been involved with Camp Wendake, the John Gordon Home and the AIDS Committee of London. Russ’s message is about love and compassion as his love story and his wish to speak about HIV/AIDS is meant to educate the younger generations about how they can protect themselves from this epidemic.

Ingrid – Hello, my name is Ingrid Cuffe and I am a young woman who wants to educate the public about HIV and AIDS. I attend Beal Secondary School here in London and just going through grade 10. I have been affected by HIV/AIDS since I was 5 years old as both of my parents are infected, my father recently just passing away from AIDS. This has caused me to grow up faster that most kids and made me become more aware of what is going on in the world and here in London around me. It’s been hard for my brother and I as we were raised just by my mother and have never really known her without living with this disease.