The Manager of Medicine Hat's office of SafeLink Alberta joined us today to share information about the impactful work that SafeLink does in Medicine Hat and across southeast Alberta. A native maritimer, Marie Tounissoux has made her home in Alberta for the last 25 years and has worked in the non-profit sector in Brooks and Medicine Hat for the last 15. Marie is deeply concerned about social justice and believes in amplifying the voices of individuals who should be valued community members deserving of dignity, respect and equitable opportunities.

SafeLink Alberta is a non-profit organization that works to improve health outcomes for people most affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, as well as people impacted by substance use, stigma, and barriers to health care. The organization provides low-barrier, confidential, accessible, and non-judgmental services in Calgary, Medicine Hat, and surrounding communities.

History

SafeLink Alberta has served Calgary and southern Alberta since 1983. The organization was formerly known as AIDS Calgary from 1983 to 2013 and HIV Community Link from 2013 to 2022. It rebranded as SafeLink Alberta after an extensive engagement process with stakeholders, clients, advisory groups, staff, and community partners. The rebrand reflected the organization’s broader scope of work, including HIV and STBBI prevention, harm reduction, peer support, outreach, systems navigation, and education.

Purpose

The purpose of SafeLink Alberta is to reduce health risks and barriers for priority populations by offering practical support, education, testing, harm reduction services, and advocacy. Its work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves access to health care, support, and dignity regardless of background, identity, lifestyle, or circumstance.

Harm reduction is like putting seatbelts and airbags in cars. We know that driving carries risk, but we do not reduce that risk by shaming people for driving or pretending accidents will never happen. Instead, we use practical tools - seatbelts, airbags, speed limits, road signs, and driver education—to reduce injury and keep people alive.

In the same way, harm reduction recognizes that some people use substances or face health risks, and it focuses on keeping them safer through practical supports like education, testing, clean supplies, outreach, and non-judgmental care. The goal is not to approve of harm, but to reduce harm, protect dignity, and create opportunities for people to access support when they are ready.

Mission

SafeLink Alberta’s mission is to reduce the harms associated with sexual activity and substance use by offering low-barrier, non-judgmental, and informed programs and services.

Vision

SafeLink Alberta’s vision is to create inclusive, empowered, and healthier communities. The organization works toward health equity by reducing disparities, supporting marginalized communities, and promoting dignity, diversity, respect, and compassion.

Values

• Innovation: Finding creative and effective ways to improve health outcomes and strengthen harm reduction services.

• Collaboration: Working with communities, partners, and service providers to create better supports and shared solutions.

• Kindness: Building caring, compassionate, and non-judgmental relationships with clients and communities.

• Authenticity: Acting with honesty, transparency, accountability, and genuine connection.

• Justice: Promoting fairness, dignity, inclusion, and equitable access to services while challenging systems of oppression.

Key Services and Community Role

SafeLink Alberta supports communities most affected by HIV, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI), substance use, and social stigma through testing and prevention, outreach, peer support, systems navigation, education, and training. Its services are designed to meet people where they are, reduce barriers to care, and support healthier, more connected communities.

The Medicine Hat Team:

• Manager

• Lead (1)

• Systems Navigators (2)

• Registered Nurse (1)

• Peer Support Worker (1)

Services include:

• Substance Use Debris Response (funded by City) – done every morning m-F plus hot spot sweeps. Also reporting hotline

• Drop in Services

• Outreach Services

• Peer supports for PWUD

• STBBI testing and treatment

What we do not do:

• Supervised consumption

• Substance supply

• Judge – meet people where they are

How Can You Get Involved?

• Follow SafeLink Alberta on social media and share their content

• Attend events and fundraisers

• Advocate in the community and with government officials

• Visit SafeLink at the office

• Donate food, clothing, hygiene supplies and money

• Become a board member

Thank you for the  informative and interesting presentation Marie!