IRIS Estrie
IRIS Estrie is a community organization with a regional mandate, working with various populations in the Eastern Townships since 1988. The organization's overall mission is to stimulate and develop community action on HIV/AIDS and other sexually and bloodborne infections (STIS). In order to fulfill its mission, IRIS Estrie has grouped its actions into four specific areas: prevention, education, health promotion and intervention.
The services offered by the organization are multiple, and are deployed through six intervention areas for different populations considered more vulnerable to STI transmission. The people reached are sex workers (as well as their clients and third parties), injection and/or inhaled drug users, Men who have sex with men, trans, non-binary or questioning people and youth. In addition, we frequently meet with professionals, interveners and students who are likely to meet these populations in the course of their employment. We are therefore making efforts to train these people by demystifying the reality of our target populations. By the same token, we want to reduce the prejudices that are far too prevalent in society, and that represent a major obstacle to ensuring that these people receive quality services.
In addition to health promotion, IRIS Estrie works extensively with the harm reduction approach. This consists of reducing the negative impacts of a behaviour without requiring its complete cessation. One of our services is therefore to distribute prevention materials free of charge to people in the community. This includes the distribution of condoms and lubricants, as well as sterile consumer equipment for injection and inhalation. In addition, the organization offers screening clinics directly on its premises, as well as in the environments frequented by these people. In order to achieve their objectives more effectively, the organization's workers carry out outreach activities by moving directly to the areas where they can reach their target populations (erotic dance bars, other community organizations, soup kitchens, taverns, injection rooms, streets, parks, etc.). In addition, listening, support and accompaniment are just a few examples of the other services offered at IRIS Estrie.
This summer, the organization saw the birth of a new intervention component called "SUPAIR aidant." This project reaches people who use drugs by injection, inhalation or snorting, as well as people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It consists of a team composed of an intervener and peer educators. The interventions carried out are therefore a mixture of knowledge and experience, which makes the services offered very comprehensive. The project is divided into two main actions, street patrol and a safe space. The latter consists of opening a secure room where people are welcome, on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, as well as one Saturday per month, to come for a coffee, snack and meet the workers if necessary.
Finally, IRIS Estrie is one of the three organizations responsible for the Rubber Squad, in collaboration with S.O.S. Pregnancy Estrie, and the Collectif pour le libre choix. This project consists of distributing condoms during special events, such as back-to-school days or directly in bars.
Stay tuned for upcoming events on our Facebook page! Among other things, Catwoman ( the intervention component for sex workers) will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year! Also, 3 days of training open to the public will be offered towards the end of January 2020. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information or to reach IRIS Estrie, visit http://irisestrie.org/ or call 819-823-6704