Home with a Heart celebrates milestone John Gordon Home opened its doors at 414 Dufferin Avenue in October 1992. The vision of Betty Anne Thomas and Dr. Iain Mackie, and named to commemorate the first person in Southwestern Ontario to go public with his HIV status. The focus was on providing a safe and comfortable environment for those in the end stages of life.
In 2015, in an important step to strengthen services for residents and clients, John Gordon Home amalgamated with the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection. “As two organizations in the HIV sector, we knew we could
create efficiencies in service delivery and organizationally by coming together under one Board of Directors, unifying our volunteer and fundraising capacities.” says Bruce Rankin, Senior Director, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, John Gordon Home. Today, John Gordon Home mission is to be a “place where people living with HIV, AIDS and Hepatitis-C receive compassionate care and supportive housing that builds on individual strengths to promote wellness and independence.” “John Gordon Home services have evolved
“Many of the PHAs were rejected by their families and they were so sick,” remembers Thomas, who served as the organization’s first Executive Director. “A hospital was impersonal, so a home like atmosphere where they were accepted made life for folks more content.” With support from the Ontario Ministry of Housing, a new building was built to better serve the community, and in 1997, the new John Gordon Home opened at 596 Pall Mall Street. This location was Canada’s first hospice built exclusively to care for those living with HIV or AIDS.
from end of life/palliative care to meet the changing need of people impacted by HIV,” reflects Rankin. “With a new HIV outbreak among people who inject drugs, we have been supporting people to access HIV and Hep C treatments, achieve undetectable viral loads and stabilize their health. We believe that new HIV infections will be rare and perhaps JGH will be serving a population of senior citizens living with HIV.” To find out more information about John Gordon Home, visit www.hivaidsconnection.ca.
As important research and medical advancements began to change the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the John Gordon Home client’s needs were changing. Residents were living much longer, and the focus moved from palliative care to living with the disease and future quality of life. Over 25 years, John Gordon Home has grown and adapted to the varying needs of the clients they serve. Important medical advancements have changed the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, improving quality of life and significantly extended life expectancy.
PRIDE Villager
Issue 1 • Spring 2018 Page 5 To advertise here, please contact Barb@VillagerPublications.com
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