Peer Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS
Canopy Medical Clinic is pleased to announce its Peer Navigation program, which provides support to people living with HIV/AIDS in North Dakota. This program is made possible due to a partnership between the North Dakota Ryan White program and Canopy Medical Clinic.
The Canopy Peer Navigation Program was developed with the expertise of people living with and/or those who have lived experience with HIV/AIDS. These individuals have been involved in every step of program development. It is created by and for people living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones.
Peer support has been around for decades. It is a system in which people with similar lived experiences support one another, and therefore is more horizontal than hierarchical. The bond created among people who have overcome similar hardships is unique and powerful. It is often more informal, which can help clients feel more relaxed and open. It is well-researched and has evidence to support its effectiveness. Peer support as a strategy to support people living with HIV/AIDS and improve medication adherence is also recommended by the CDC.
Peer navigators are people living with and/or who have lived experience with HIV/AIDS. Peer navigators have learned to work in complicated systems and strive to provide others with the support they need when learning to live and thrive with HIV/AIDS.
The Canopy Peer Navigation Program supports people living with HIV/AIDS in two distinct ways:
Individual Support
Individual peer support pairs participants with a peer navigator who has similar lived experience and provides one-to-one support. Peer navigators may stay in contact with the folks they support via phone call, text, email, and/or online meetings, depending on what is most comfortable for the participant. In addition to regular check-ins, peer navigators are available to provide support as issues arise.
Peer navigators host four group support meetings per month. Additional details on meeting format are available here.
Online (via Zoom, accessible online or by phone):
People Living With HIV/AIDS Support Group
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- 11 a.m. (CT) on the second Saturday of the month.
- 7 p.m. (CT) on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
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Loved Ones of People Living with HIV/AIDS Support Group
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- 7 p.m. (CT) on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
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In-person (Fargo):
Positive Hearts Support Group for People Living with HIV/AIDS
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- 11:30 a.m. (CT) on the second Tuesday of the month.
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This program provides boxed lunches and grocery cards to those in attendance.
People interested in participating in the Canopy Peer Navigation Program, as either a participant or a peer navigator, can apply at https://www.canopymedicalclinic.com/ryan-white.html.
The Canopy Peer Navigation Program launched on Sept. 8, 2022. As such, we are working hard to spread the word about these services, reduce the stigma of living with HIV/AIDS, and support people to live fully.
Please help us spread the word! Follow Canopy Medical Clinic on Facebook and Instagram and share our content.
The vision of the Canopy Peer Navigation program is to inspire healthy lives and caring communities for people living with HIV/AIDS. The mission is to be relentless champions for people affected by HIV/AIDS and do all we can to help them thrive.
Please reach out to karag@togethercounselinggroup.com should you have any questions.