Get Involved
join us
For over 40 years, our communities have worked together in response to HIV, AIDS, and the stigma, indifference, and inequities that drive HIV and AIDS. Over the years, thousands of people have been part of our organization and ensured Ribbon Community has remained stable as one of Canada’s longest-standing AIDS service organizations. Volunteers, donors, funders, advocates, experts, staff members, and people who trust us to provide programs and services.
Whether as a program participant, volunteer, or donor, join us to bring our purpose and values come to life every day.
Support and empower Ribbon
Donate
Financial gifts to Ribbon directly support community members with a fund to cover the cost of urgent, unexpected costs, access gender and culture, and gaps in public funding for vaccines, moving expenses, and identification.
Donate online now
Volunteer
Nearly 100 volunteers are an essential part of bringing our purpose and values to life. Volunteers receive a Ribbon orientation, program-specific training, a letter of reference after 75 hours, and connection to community.
See our volunteer opportunities
Why Get Involved
As a volunteer, donor, or someone who joins our events, uses our services, or a combination, you are part of pulling the past, present, and future of the HIV response together.
When you get involved at Ribbon Community, you are joining decades of community leadership in the HIV response.
Ribbon is stronger with you.
We are at our strongest when our team has a wide range of skills, experiences, contributions, and interests. As a program participant, client, volunteer or donor, your knowledge and contributions make our approach the best it can be.
Community care thrives here.
In the face of HIV stigma, we need each other. By accessing Ribbon programs and services, volunteering, donating or any combination, you are creating spaces where community care thrives.
Teach and learn.
The many communities that make our work possible have much to teach us, including community members who use our services, volunteers, and donors. Ribbon Community values learning proactively, staying in touch with today’s realities, and approaching our work as both teachers and learners.
Craft, cook, and connect.
One-on-one and in groups, Ribbon offers opportunities to build new skills. Join us for a workshop to learn to craft or cook or volunteer training, ask a peer or case manager a question, or attend information sessions on a range of topics relevant to our communities.
Receive a charitable tax receipt.
Monetary donations and some in-kind donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt based on Canada Revenue Agency rules. This receipt may help reduce the amount of income tax you pay.
Monthly Calendar
This month at Ribbon
Ribbon has a variety of free groups and activities each month, available to our communities – including people living with HIV, those of us impacted by HIV stigma, and past and present HIV responders.
We are able to provide tickets for public transit in most cases, and are happy to connect about other ways we can make it easier for you to participate. Get in touch with us for more details, or to let us know how we can make these groups and activities work for you.
Kenneth Lacker Scholarship Recipient
Meet one of our 2025 scholarship recipients.
Volunteers and people living with HIV across BC are eligible for the Kenneth Lackner Scholarship. We established this scholarship in 2018, thanks to a legacy gift from Kenneth Lackner, a longtime bookkeeping assistant at AIDS Vancouver.
Read Rick’s storyBe a Ribbon Insider
The Ribbon Insider is our monthly enewsletter. It highlights upcoming groups, activities, events, and other opportunities within the HIV response.
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