LetsStopAids

In 2024 LetsStopAIDS proudly turned 20 years old! We continued to follow the direction set out in our 2022–2025 Strategic Plan delivering youth-led programmes aligned with SDG Goals 3 4 10 17 and supporting progress toward the UNAIDS 2025 Targets. As Canada’s largest Youth-HIV charity our mission remains focused on helping to end HIV by supporting youth to lead raise awareness and take action. We continued in our role as the NGO Delegate for North America at UNAIDS making sure youth voices are included in the global HIV response. This work strengthens youth involvement in global decision-making and keeps the focus on ending new HIV acquisions by 2030. Here’s what we’ve been working on: (1) P2P Workshop: Our interactive workshops use games and reflection-based activities to help students think more critically about sexual health and youth leadership. In 2024 we reached 1800+ students from schools across Ontario & Saskatchewan. (2) LetsStopAIDS Sex Lives Report: In partnership with Angus Reid Group our annual research initiative digs into the realities of youth sex lives and the barriers they face in accessing HIV prevention. The 2024 report explored how young people navigate their sexual rights and intimate conversations. It became a national awareness campaign featured by The Globe and Mail Macleans CBC’s The Current and others — reaching more than 200 million impressions across Canadian media. (3) LiveLifeLoving: A digital platform offering real practical and stigma-free content on HIV. Whether someone is newly diagnosed knows someone affected or wants to learn more LiveLifeLoving offers guidance and stories that speak to the experiences of youth. (4) NoTimeToWait: Canada’s largest Youth-HIV event brings together young people from across Canada to learn connect and take on leadership roles in their communities. The event includes keynote talks workshops & social activities focused on HIV awareness & advocacy. This year's theme was connected to the results of the Sex Lives Report and was defined as 'DeBlur' looking to desmystify sexual rights and challenging conversations youth face while navigating their sexual lives. (5) The Winning Seed: Giving youth the chance to develop their own HIV-related initiatives with support from LetsStopAIDS! Providing funding and mentorship for selected projects that align with with SDGs 3 4 10. (6) Spread Trees Not AIDS (STNA): HIV and climate change both hit hardest in vulnerable communities

(1) Advocacy Campaigns: 'Make Sex-Ed Positive!' In 2024 we gathered over 10 000 signatures online and at Pride Toronto in support of comprehensive sex-ed. Youth in Canada still face rising rates of HIV and STIs and lack of access to proper education puts them at risk. This campaign makes the case for inclusive accurate and stigma-free sex-ed as a basic right. We will promote quarterly national and international campaigns to address issues and challenges faced by youth in Canada and globally. (2) From Stigma to Success: In 2024 LetsStopAIDS was approved to participate in the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program. From Stigma to Success is a three-year initiative designed and implemented by LetsStopAIDS that focuses on helping youth living with or at risk of acquiring HIV build meaningful careers. Through this project we provide hands-on training in both soft and technical skills offer real work opportunities and pair participants with mentors who can support their individual goals. The goal is simple: break down the barriers created by stigma and help young people succeed on their own terms.