Thursday, October 20, 2011

Transition


Hello friends,

Since the fall of 2007, HUSTLE has been a program of PEERS Vancouver Resource Society www.peersvancouver.com , offering the male/youth component to PEERS programs and services. While at PEERS, HUSTLE has been very successful at sharing knowledge and best practices by integrating sex worker supports through a male lens. Through PEERS, HUSTLE has been effective at offering outreach and support programming to male sex workers (MSW) as well as supporting youth who may be at risk of sexual exploitation. HUSTLE would like to express our deepest gratitude to Executive Director Ty Mistry as well as the dedicated staff and board at PEERS for their tireless commitment to supporting our ongoing efforts in community. Most importantly, HUSTLE acknowledges all the clients, former and current, for their personal resilience and commitment to change. It is a privilege to work alongside all of you toward a healthier and safer community for us all.

Due to systemic changes in government funding for employment programs which began in 2010, PEERS as a non-profit organization will itself, significantly change over the next year. By March 2012, PEERS will have gone through extensive internal program restructuring as well as experience considerable downsizing of its staff and services. This change has necessitated HUSTLE to transition our program to another host organization able to effectively house and facilitate our ongoing efforts in community.

As of January 2012, HUSTLE will become a program of HIM - Health Initiative for Men www.checkhimout.ca a gay men’s community based health organization dedicated to strengthening the health and well-being of gay men and other men who have sex with men (OMSM).  HIM’s approach includes physical, sexual, social and mental health programming, research and support. Through HIM, HUSTLE will continue to deliver a program relevant to male sex workers and youth and is excited about opportunities to develop new ways of engaging with other populations of OMSM, youth and individuals in our communities.

Exciting times ahead J

Matthew Taylor
Program Director
HUSTLE: Men on the Move

No comments:

Post a Comment