Education and Prevention

The Education Department has been working in partnership with agencies and surrounding northern communities with an objective to deliver effective education and awareness activities regarding HIV/AIDS/HCV and related issues.

Goals of the Education Department

Positive Living North recognizes that HIV/AIDS/HCV touch all of humanity and can affect anyone. Thus the goals of the Educational Department are to:

  • Identify the educational needs of individuals and groups and facilitate their learning.
  • Increase public awareness and learning regarding the social issues that impact the HIV/HCV epidemics.

Our Educators

  • Our Educators are from diverse backgrounds.
  • They have many years’ experience facilitating educational events and working in the health care and social service fields.
  • They live in the north and understand the issues people face in northern BC.
  • We have three Positive Living North communities that provide educational services. Choose the one nearest you!
  • PLN – Prince George: Covering Prince George and area, Quesnel, McBride, Valemount, Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, and surrounding communities.
    Located at #1 – 1563 2nd Avenue. Contact: Phone 250-562-1172 or toll free 1-888-438-2437 or by emailing [email protected]
  • PLN – Bulkley Valley (Smithers BC): Covering the Hazeltons, Smithers, Houston, Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Burns Lake, and surrounding communities.
    Located at 3862 F Broadway Street. Contact: Phone 250-877-0042 or toll Free 1-866-877-0042 or by emailing [email protected]

Education Department Activities

  • Community education programs concerning HIV/AIDS/HCV and related issues
  • Condom & pamphlet distribution
  • Information tables
  • Four-module workshop series (see below, Education workshops)
  • Presentations & resources by members from the Frontline Warriors: Positive Prevention project (see below)

Custom Education

  • We will design education presentations or workshops to fit your group
  • We can make the education shorter or longer to fit your needs
  • We present to all ages and levels
  • We can provide an education and awareness booth at your event
  • When able, we can travel to your community

If you are interested in accessing any of the services provided by PLN’s Education Department, please contact us.

Education Workshops

HIV/AIDS/HCV 101
Learn the basics of keeping yourself safe

Healthy Relationships
Learn how having a healthy relationship will reduce HIV

Gender Identity
Learn the differences between gender and sex, explore LGBTQQ terms, and celebrate diversity

STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Learn about STIs how to stay safe

Historical Trauma and the Impacts on HIV Prevalence
Learn how trauma impacts us and how trauma can increase the risk for HIV transmission

Harm Reduction
Learn strategies to reduce hepatitis & HIV, reduce overdoses & deaths as well as sharing needles & other equipment.

Frontline Warriors: Positive Prevention Project

“Reducing Barriers by Building Partnerships” was originally designed for healthcare and social service workers, but frontline workers find it beneficial and relevant. The program consists of four modules, offered over a two-day training period. Participants receive a certificate upon completion of all of the following modules:

  • HIV/AIDS/HCV 101
  • Gender Identity
  • Service Providers and HIV
  • Historical Trauma and the Impacts on HIV Prevalence

These training sessions are offered twice a year. For more information, please contact PLN’s Education Department.

Warriors Fighting Back drawing

Outreach HIV/AIDS Educator

Positive Living North – Fort St. John offers an Outreach HIV/AIDS Educator who provides prevention education and awareness services in the northeast region of British Columbia.

HIV/AIDS & HCV touch all of humanity and can affect anyone, yet they remain a taboo topic in our Northeastern BC community. Many people are uncomfortable talking about sex, drugs, and other high-risk activities. Those who do engage in these activities sense this stigma, and avoid dialogue for fear of discrimination. Stigma and discrimination is one of the reasons why HIV & HCV are still spreading. The goal of this work is to remove this stigma in our community so that HIV/AIDS & HCV related issues can be discussed openly and honestly without fear. Dialogue leads to awareness; awareness is prevention; and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Currently hiring, please see posting here.