About Us
The Teresa Group is Canada’s oldest community-based charitable organization specifically
serving children affected by HIV and AIDS and their families.
Since 1990 The Teresa Group has evolved from providing support to a handful of children and families to an organization with a dedicated team of professional staff providing a broad range of compassionate frontline services to hundreds of local children and families affected by HIV and AIDS. The Teresa Group also coordinates a Provincial program to distribute infant formula to new moms living with HIV and is a founding member and fiscal agent for the global Coalition on Children Affected by AIDS. The Teresa Group and the Coalition co-organize an international symposium affiliated with each International AIDS Conference.
The Teresa Group provides leadership through example, information, education and innovation.
Our Mission
The Teresa Group Advances the dignity and well-being of children and their families affected by HIV and AIDS.
Value Statement
The Teresa Group values and respects the Ontario Human Rights Codes (1981) that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability. We express this by acknowledging and informing ourselves of the history of discrimination (at individual and institutional levels) and its harmful effects-in all forms - on individuals and communities and by becoming sensitized to and addressing the ways individuals and organizational behaviours or actions may be experienced or interpreted as discriminatory by individuals we work with and serve, individuals within agencies/organizations/communities.
The Teresa Group, through its Board, Executive Director, employees and volunteers, values and respects the dignity and integrity of each child, woman, man whose needs brings them to the Teresa Group. We express this through respectful interpersonal relationships and our commitment to ensure the programs and services offered are of high quality with a concern for emotional, physical, socioeconomic, and spiritual well-being of individual family members and family as a unit.
The Teresa Group values and respects one another in our various capacities as volunteers, staff and Board members, for who we are as individuals and for what we contribute personally and collectively to the work of the Teresa Group. We show this by the quality of our interpersonal relationships, cooperation in a common endeavor and concern for the emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing of one another.
The Teresa Group values and respects the work of other agencies, groups and individuals in their advocacy and support for families living with HIV and AIDS and where possible we express this through cooperation and collaboration.
The Teresa Group values and Respects the public and private material contributions we receive and we express this by our careful stewardship of those resources, employment practices that balance the needs and interests of employees and funders, the careful and responsible design, administration and delivery of programs and services and the distribution of these services to families in a manner that is non-discriminatory and balances between fairness and equality to all families and to the special needs of individual families or family members.
Since 1990 The Teresa Group has evolved from providing support to a handful of children and families to an organization with a dedicated team of professional staff providing a broad range of compassionate frontline services to hundreds of local children and families affected by HIV and AIDS. The Teresa Group also coordinates a Provincial program to distribute infant formula to new moms living with HIV and is a founding member and fiscal agent for the global Coalition on Children Affected by AIDS. The Teresa Group and the Coalition co-organize an international symposium affiliated with each International AIDS Conference.
The Teresa Group provides leadership through example, information, education and innovation.
Our Mission
The Teresa Group Advances the dignity and well-being of children and their families affected by HIV and AIDS.
Value Statement
The Teresa Group values and respects the Ontario Human Rights Codes (1981) that prevent discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability. We express this by acknowledging and informing ourselves of the history of discrimination (at individual and institutional levels) and its harmful effects-in all forms - on individuals and communities and by becoming sensitized to and addressing the ways individuals and organizational behaviours or actions may be experienced or interpreted as discriminatory by individuals we work with and serve, individuals within agencies/organizations/communities.
The Teresa Group, through its Board, Executive Director, employees and volunteers, values and respects the dignity and integrity of each child, woman, man whose needs brings them to the Teresa Group. We express this through respectful interpersonal relationships and our commitment to ensure the programs and services offered are of high quality with a concern for emotional, physical, socioeconomic, and spiritual well-being of individual family members and family as a unit.
The Teresa Group values and respects one another in our various capacities as volunteers, staff and Board members, for who we are as individuals and for what we contribute personally and collectively to the work of the Teresa Group. We show this by the quality of our interpersonal relationships, cooperation in a common endeavor and concern for the emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing of one another.
The Teresa Group values and respects the work of other agencies, groups and individuals in their advocacy and support for families living with HIV and AIDS and where possible we express this through cooperation and collaboration.
The Teresa Group values and Respects the public and private material contributions we receive and we express this by our careful stewardship of those resources, employment practices that balance the needs and interests of employees and funders, the careful and responsible design, administration and delivery of programs and services and the distribution of these services to families in a manner that is non-discriminatory and balances between fairness and equality to all families and to the special needs of individual families or family members.
Our Mandate
Advancing the dignity, emotional and physical well-being of children, youth, and families affected by HIV and AIDS through supports, services and programs. For most families we serve, financial concerns combined with HIV or AIDS makes it exceedingly difficult to adequately provide for their children. The Teresa Group's programs and services offer many options for support and practical assistance. We are here to help.
Strategic Directions:
Advancing the dignity, emotional and physical well-being of children, youth, and families affected by HIV and AIDS through supports, services and programs. For most families we serve, financial concerns combined with HIV or AIDS makes it exceedingly difficult to adequately provide for their children. The Teresa Group's programs and services offer many options for support and practical assistance. We are here to help.
Strategic Directions:
Strategic Direction #1
Position The Teresa Group as a leader on issues related to children, youth, and families affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Teresa Group remains one of a handful of organisations in North America specifically focused on children and families affected by HIV and AIDS. As the nature of the epidemic changes, the time is ripe for The Teresa Group to provide strong leadership across Ontario and in Canada through policy engagement, raising our profile, developing resources, sharing lessons learned and embarking on new collaborations.
Strategic Direction #2
Provide targeted, unique and high
quality programs and services to children, youth, and families affected
by HIV and AIDS.
Building on 25 years of successful service provision, The Teresa Group moves
into this next phase of its development with a firm commitment to providing
high quality programming that is focused and targeted to the unique needs of
our clients. Our service delivery models will be vigorously evaluated and refined.
We are committed to engaging our community of clients as key players in our
program development and delivery.
Strategic Direction #3
Enhance and strengthen everything
we do through strategic partnerships.
Partnerships are key to achieving results, offering broad benefits for both the
organization and its clients. Strategically selecting partners both within and
outside of the AIDS service organisation sector will offer us opportunities to
expand our reach as well as explore alternative models of program delivery.
Our Policies
The Teresa Group External Complaints Policy and Procedures
Access Policy Document →
The Teresa Group Disclosure Operational Policy and Procedures
Access Policy Document →
The Teresa Group Disclosure Policy Position Statement
Access Policy Document →
The Teresa Group Privacy Policy:
The Teresa Group (or “the organization”) is committed to the protection of personal information. Accordingly, The Teresa Group adheres to the privacy principles, and accompanying commentary, set out below (the “Privacy Principles”).
“Personal Information”, as used in this Policy, means information about an identifiable individual, but does not include the name, title, business address or telephone number of an employee of an organization.
Principle 1 – Accountability
We are responsible for all Personal Information under our control.
Accountability for our compliance with the Privacy Principles rests with the Privacy Officer, even though other individuals within our organization may have responsibility for the dayto-day collection and processing of Personal Information.
We are responsible for Personal Information in our possession or custody. If we disclose or transfer Personal Information to a third party for processing, we will use contractual or other safeguards to provide a comparable level of protection.
Principle 2 – Identifying Purposes
We identify the purposes for which we collect Personal Information.
The purposes will be limited to those which are related to the work of the organization and which a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.
We may collect, use and disclose Personal Information concerning our clients, volunteers, donors and employees for the following reasons:
a. to provide services in accordance with the functions and mandate of the organization; b. to raise funds for the organization; c. to provide compensation and benefits to employees; d. to manage and continually develop our businesses and operations, including personnel and employment matters; and e. to meet legal and regulatory requirements.
If we plan to use Personal Information we have collected for a purpose not previously identified, we will identify and document this purpose before such use.
We will make a reasonable effort to identify the purpose of collection to the individual from whom the Personal Information is collected, at or before the time the information is collected, orally, in writing, or by context.
When you visit our website, Personal Information is not collected that could identify you unless you choose to provide it voluntarily. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of the websites to which it may link.
Principle 3 – Consent
Personal Information will only be collected, used, or disclosed with the knowledge and consent of the individual, except where inappropriate.
We will seek consent for the use or disclosure of information at the time of collection. In certain circumstances, consent may be sought after the information has been collected but before use (such as where we want to use information that has already been collected for a purpose not previously identified).
The way in which we seek consent, including whether it is express or implied, may vary depending upon the sensitivity of the information and the reasonable expectations of the individual. An individual can withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. We will inform individuals of any implications of withdrawing consent.
We will not, as a condition of the supply of services, require an individual to consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of Personal Information beyond that required to fulfill legitimate purposes.
In certain circumstances, as permitted or required by law, we may collect, use or disclose Personal Information without the knowledge or consent of the individual. These circumstances include, Personal Information which is subject to solicitor-client privilege or is publicly available as defined by regulation, where collection or use is clearly in the interests of the individual and consent cannot be obtained in a timely way, to investigate a breach of an agreement or a contravention of a law, to act in response to an emergency that threatens the life, health or security of an individual, for debt collection, or to comply with a subpoena, warrant or court order.
Principle 4 – Limiting Collection of Personal Information
We will limit the amount and type of Personal Information collected to that which is necessary for our identified purposes and we will collect Personal Information by fair and lawful means.
Our collection of Personal Information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by us. We collect Personal Information by fair and lawful means.
Principle 5 – Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Personal Information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal Information will be retained only as long as necessary to fulfill those purposes. We shall not use or disclose Personal Information for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. We shall retain Personal Information only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.
Only our employees with a business need to know, or whose duties reasonably so require, are granted access to an individual’s Personal Information.
Where Personal Information is no longer required to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, it will be destroyed, erased, or made anonymous, provided there are no legal requirements for its continued retention.
Principle 6 – Accuracy
We will use our best efforts to ensure that Personal Information is as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
We will use our best efforts to ensure that Personal Information that is used on an ongoing basis and information that is used to make a decision about an individual, is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
Principle 7 – Safeguards
We will protect Personal Information with safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
We use safeguards to protect Personal Information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification, regardless of the format in which the information is held. We will make our employees aware of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of Personal Information, and we will exercise care in the disposal or destruction of Personal Information to prevent unauthorized parties from gaining access to the information.
Our methods of protection will include physical measures (for example, locked filing cabinets and restricted access to offices), organizational measures (for example, security clearances and limiting access on a “need-to-know” basis), and technological measures (for example, the use of passwords and encryption).
Principle 8 – Openness
We will make information about our policies and procedures respecting Personal Information readily available to individuals.
The information we will make available will include how to gain access to Personal Information, the type of Personal Information held by us, including a general account of its use, general information concerning our policies respecting Personal Information, and how to contact the person designated to be responsible for our privacy compliance.
Principle 9 – Individual Access
Upon written request, we will inform an individual of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her Personal Information and we will give the individual access to that Personal Information. An individual can challenge the accuracy and completeness of his or her Personal Information and have it amended as appropriate.
We will respond to an individual’s written request within a reasonable time and at a reasonable or no cost. We will assist any individual who informs us that they need assistance in preparing a request. We may require an individual to provide sufficient information to permit us to provide an account of the existence, use and disclosure of Personal Information.
If an individual successfully demonstrates the inaccuracy or incompleteness of Personal Information, we will amend the information as required. If a challenge is not resolved to the satisfaction of the individual, we will record the substance of the unresolved challenge. Where appropriate the amended information or the existence of the unresolved challenge, as the case may be, will be transmitted to third parties having access to the information in question.
We may refuse a request or not be able to provide access to all the Personal Information we hold about an individual, as permitted or required by law. Where permitted, the reasons for denying access will be provided to the individual upon request. Exceptions may include: information that contains references to other individuals or contains confidential organizational information, where such information cannot be severed from the record; information collected in the course of investigating a breach of an agreement of in the course of a formal dispute resolution process; and information that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
Principle 10 – Challenging Compliance
Any individual can address a challenge concerning our compliance with any of the Privacy Principles to the person designated to be responsible for our privacy compliance.
We will investigate all written complaints. If we find a complaint to be justified, we will take all appropriate measures, including, if necessary, amending our policies and practices. A customer or employee shall be informed of the outcome of the investigation regarding his or her complaint.
An individual is encouraged to use our internal information and resolution process to resolve a complaint. However, an individual may also seek advice from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner Of Canada at 1-800-282-1376 (tollfree) or [email protected] and, if appropriate, file a written complaint with that office.
Our goal is to protect your privacy and Personal Information. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about our Privacy Policy or our procedures affecting your Personal Information, please contact us.
The Teresa Group (or “the organization”) is committed to the protection of personal information. Accordingly, The Teresa Group adheres to the privacy principles, and accompanying commentary, set out below (the “Privacy Principles”).
“Personal Information”, as used in this Policy, means information about an identifiable individual, but does not include the name, title, business address or telephone number of an employee of an organization.
Principle 1 – Accountability
We are responsible for all Personal Information under our control.
Accountability for our compliance with the Privacy Principles rests with the Privacy Officer, even though other individuals within our organization may have responsibility for the dayto-day collection and processing of Personal Information.
We are responsible for Personal Information in our possession or custody. If we disclose or transfer Personal Information to a third party for processing, we will use contractual or other safeguards to provide a comparable level of protection.
Principle 2 – Identifying Purposes
We identify the purposes for which we collect Personal Information.
The purposes will be limited to those which are related to the work of the organization and which a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.
We may collect, use and disclose Personal Information concerning our clients, volunteers, donors and employees for the following reasons:
a. to provide services in accordance with the functions and mandate of the organization; b. to raise funds for the organization; c. to provide compensation and benefits to employees; d. to manage and continually develop our businesses and operations, including personnel and employment matters; and e. to meet legal and regulatory requirements.
If we plan to use Personal Information we have collected for a purpose not previously identified, we will identify and document this purpose before such use.
We will make a reasonable effort to identify the purpose of collection to the individual from whom the Personal Information is collected, at or before the time the information is collected, orally, in writing, or by context.
When you visit our website, Personal Information is not collected that could identify you unless you choose to provide it voluntarily. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of the websites to which it may link.
Principle 3 – Consent
Personal Information will only be collected, used, or disclosed with the knowledge and consent of the individual, except where inappropriate.
We will seek consent for the use or disclosure of information at the time of collection. In certain circumstances, consent may be sought after the information has been collected but before use (such as where we want to use information that has already been collected for a purpose not previously identified).
The way in which we seek consent, including whether it is express or implied, may vary depending upon the sensitivity of the information and the reasonable expectations of the individual. An individual can withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. We will inform individuals of any implications of withdrawing consent.
We will not, as a condition of the supply of services, require an individual to consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of Personal Information beyond that required to fulfill legitimate purposes.
In certain circumstances, as permitted or required by law, we may collect, use or disclose Personal Information without the knowledge or consent of the individual. These circumstances include, Personal Information which is subject to solicitor-client privilege or is publicly available as defined by regulation, where collection or use is clearly in the interests of the individual and consent cannot be obtained in a timely way, to investigate a breach of an agreement or a contravention of a law, to act in response to an emergency that threatens the life, health or security of an individual, for debt collection, or to comply with a subpoena, warrant or court order.
Principle 4 – Limiting Collection of Personal Information
We will limit the amount and type of Personal Information collected to that which is necessary for our identified purposes and we will collect Personal Information by fair and lawful means.
Our collection of Personal Information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by us. We collect Personal Information by fair and lawful means.
Principle 5 – Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Personal Information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal Information will be retained only as long as necessary to fulfill those purposes. We shall not use or disclose Personal Information for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. We shall retain Personal Information only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.
Only our employees with a business need to know, or whose duties reasonably so require, are granted access to an individual’s Personal Information.
Where Personal Information is no longer required to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, it will be destroyed, erased, or made anonymous, provided there are no legal requirements for its continued retention.
Principle 6 – Accuracy
We will use our best efforts to ensure that Personal Information is as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
We will use our best efforts to ensure that Personal Information that is used on an ongoing basis and information that is used to make a decision about an individual, is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
Principle 7 – Safeguards
We will protect Personal Information with safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
We use safeguards to protect Personal Information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification, regardless of the format in which the information is held. We will make our employees aware of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of Personal Information, and we will exercise care in the disposal or destruction of Personal Information to prevent unauthorized parties from gaining access to the information.
Our methods of protection will include physical measures (for example, locked filing cabinets and restricted access to offices), organizational measures (for example, security clearances and limiting access on a “need-to-know” basis), and technological measures (for example, the use of passwords and encryption).
Principle 8 – Openness
We will make information about our policies and procedures respecting Personal Information readily available to individuals.
The information we will make available will include how to gain access to Personal Information, the type of Personal Information held by us, including a general account of its use, general information concerning our policies respecting Personal Information, and how to contact the person designated to be responsible for our privacy compliance.
Principle 9 – Individual Access
Upon written request, we will inform an individual of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her Personal Information and we will give the individual access to that Personal Information. An individual can challenge the accuracy and completeness of his or her Personal Information and have it amended as appropriate.
We will respond to an individual’s written request within a reasonable time and at a reasonable or no cost. We will assist any individual who informs us that they need assistance in preparing a request. We may require an individual to provide sufficient information to permit us to provide an account of the existence, use and disclosure of Personal Information.
If an individual successfully demonstrates the inaccuracy or incompleteness of Personal Information, we will amend the information as required. If a challenge is not resolved to the satisfaction of the individual, we will record the substance of the unresolved challenge. Where appropriate the amended information or the existence of the unresolved challenge, as the case may be, will be transmitted to third parties having access to the information in question.
We may refuse a request or not be able to provide access to all the Personal Information we hold about an individual, as permitted or required by law. Where permitted, the reasons for denying access will be provided to the individual upon request. Exceptions may include: information that contains references to other individuals or contains confidential organizational information, where such information cannot be severed from the record; information collected in the course of investigating a breach of an agreement of in the course of a formal dispute resolution process; and information that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.
Principle 10 – Challenging Compliance
Any individual can address a challenge concerning our compliance with any of the Privacy Principles to the person designated to be responsible for our privacy compliance.
We will investigate all written complaints. If we find a complaint to be justified, we will take all appropriate measures, including, if necessary, amending our policies and practices. A customer or employee shall be informed of the outcome of the investigation regarding his or her complaint.
An individual is encouraged to use our internal information and resolution process to resolve a complaint. However, an individual may also seek advice from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner Of Canada at 1-800-282-1376 (tollfree) or [email protected] and, if appropriate, file a written complaint with that office.
Our goal is to protect your privacy and Personal Information. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about our Privacy Policy or our procedures affecting your Personal Information, please contact us.