Project ACE was proudly represented at the “Impact in Action: How Community-Based Research is Addressing HIV/AIDS and STBBI in Canada” special meeting held on Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Co-hosted by The Honourable Senator René Cormier, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the event highlighted the critical role of community involvement in achieving Canada’s 2030 STBBI targets.

Yin Yuan Chen (Co-PI, University of Ottawa) and Keith Wong (Project ACE Project Manager) delivered a spotlight presentation titled “Reducing HIV Stigma & Promoting Community Resilience Through Capacity Building”. Their presentation detailed the three-phase ACE model designed to address internalized and enacted stigma through experiential and collaborative learning.

Key highlights from the presentation included: A Multi-level Response: Addressing stigma at individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community levels; Demonstrated Impact: Preliminary findings from 166 ACE graduates show an increase in self-compassion, a downward trend in internalized stigma, and the completion of 5,008 stigma reduction activities at the community level; and Addressing Disparities: A focus on how racialized communities bear a disproportionate burden of HIV disparities in Canada.

As we move forward, Project ACE remains committed to: Refining the ACE intervention based on community feedback; Building alliances to secure resources for integrating ACE into permanent programs and services; and Continuing knowledge translation and exchange to empower more “HIV community champions” across Canada.

Beyond the formal presentation, the meeting served as a vital opportunity for Project ACE to connect with local partners. YY and Keith met with management and staff from the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO), a key community collaborator for the project. We are glad to meet with Billa Hussein-Habre, who has been an integral part of our team as the Ottawa local site coordinator and is currently serving as a support worker at the ACO, further bridging the gap between research and frontline community support.

Please view the PDF presentation: Reducing HIV Stigma & Promoting Community Resilience Through Capacity Building