AIDS Vancouver Island and the Victoria Cool Aid Society have announced that another $100,000 has been raised for the Access Health Centre. This $5.3 million building project is supported by the partner agencies, government, foundations, businesses and individuals.  Just $900,000 remains to meet the mortgage-free goal.

Victoria – On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009, the Victoria Cool Aid Society and AIDS Vancouver Island, along with their partners and funders, will celebrate the official opening of Access Health Centre – a community centre that offers integrated health and support services to people in Victoria’s who struggle with homelessness, problematic substance use, HIV/AIDS, and/or mental health issues and other health challenges.

“We are delighted to take this opportunity to highlight this significant achievement and to thank those who have made this project possible through their generous contributions,” said Kathy Stinson, Executive Director of the Victoria Cool Aid Society. “We are pleased that the Access Health Centre is close to meeting its mortgage free goal - $4.3 million has been raised through government funding and community support towards the $5.3 million project. We still need to raise the last million dollars.”

Victoria – Thanks to generous gifts totalling $103,000 pledged this month, the Access Health Centre is now within $1 million of its $5.3 million funding target. Paying the remainder of reconstruction costs will free up operating dollars for spending on critical health care and social services for 6,000 of the region’s most vulnerable individuals. The Victoria Cool Aid Society and AIDS Vancouver Island are offering a building naming opportunity for the beautiful heritage building at 713 Johnson Street downtown for the last $1 million.