Toronto, Ontario, September 28, 2016 – On the 23rd of September 2016, the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation (CWHGR) launched its renewed organizational branding and identity and unveiled its new name, realize, at a Reception held at the Courtyard Marriott hotel in downtown Toronto.

Since 1998, CWGHR (now realize) has been a leader and a catalyst for improved access to rehabilitation services, for people living with HIV.

“While we remain at heart the same, forward-looking organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living and aging with HIV”, says realize Executive Director Tammy C. Yates, “ … we now consistently include other episodic disabilities in our work. We also know that our vision reaches well beyond Canadian borders, and that our membership is now much more than a ‘working group’ implies; we are a strong national  network and internationally recognized organization.”

The new name, realize, is part of the organization’s vision and mission as it moves toward the future and continues its work for people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities who face significant challenges to living well and living fully. Organizationally, realize:

• undertakes research to formulate a strong knowledge base
• translates this knowledge and makes it accessible to those who need it
• works with policy- and decision-makers to remove existing barriers for people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities
• all of this research, education and policy change to use in real life – to ensure that people living with episodic disabilities have ongoing support and services, where and when they need them.

Co-Chair Dave Skitch said, “We at realize are the only organization that has worked consistently over 18 years on issues related to rehabilitation, HIV and episodic disability. While our commitment and dedication to the communities we serve will never change, our new name and fresh look will re-energize our identity and work. We’ve already seen so many positive changes for people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities. We’re excited to see what more can be done as we work with our many partners. Our vision is that the daily lives of people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities are improved in meaningful ways by rehabilitation – including care, treatment and support.”

From its office based in Toronto, Canada, realize works with academic institutions, community-based organizations, the private sector and governments at local, provincial and national levels in Canada. We also convene and participate in multi-level meetings and forums elsewhere in the world, while maintaining extensive and updated resources available online for the international community.

To find out more information about realize, you can visit the new website http://rlz.cmohr.ca, and follow the organization on Twitter https://twitter.com/HIVandRehab and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/HIVandRehab/340739632676755.

 

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Contact for media interviews and more information on this release:

Ms. Tammy C. Yates
Executive Director
realize
647-760-6236; TYates@HIVandRehab.ca

Ms. Kiran Mehdee
Communications Consultant
realize
416-513-0440 Ext 242; KMehdee@hivandrehab.ca