A Home for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

In 2024, PEERS Alliance took a crucial step towards organizational and community sustainability by making a down payment on our building at 250 Queen Street in downtown Charlottetown, the very place we’ve rented since 2021.

A New Era

With 35 years of community work under our belts, PEERS Alliance has tirelessly supported the 2SLGBTQIA+ community since its inception as the Aids PEI Community Support Group in 1990. We have grown into a vital hub for sexual health education, harm reduction, and community-building. By purchasing our building in the heart of Charlottetown, we move into a new era where we have the opportunity to ensure that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has a safe and vibrant home for years to come.

Our Values and History
Our Values and History

  • "Without the PEERS Outreach Team, we would lose touch with so many clients. The work they do to connect with people is not something we have the capacity to do, and it is so appreciated. At times, clients feel more comfortable working with PEERS staff, and it's been a great tool to use for rapport building and having clients take the first step in their case plan."

    —Community Outreach Centre Staff

  • "I am happy I discovered Roots & Shoots a little over one year ago. I feel it is a space where I get to learn from other parents but also share my experiences. It is a good program that my child reminds me two weeks in advance to attend!"

    —Roots & Shoots Participant

  • "This session was a welcome opportunity to not only share essential information and express varied views based on experience, culture, and perspective, but it also provided a much-needed occasion for each of us to connect and interact with diverse members of Prince Edward Island’s MSM community."

    —Member of the MSM Focus Group

  • "The facilitators had a great energy and are honest, informed and welcoming. They have a great skill - slapping one upside the head with truths, while mixing it with humour and kindness so it lands effectively. I walked away feeling more informed. Thank you."

    —Brave Spaces 101 Participant

  • "This program is a gem- a little spark of creativity in what can be a long dreary winter. And a safe space for us weirdos, dreamers and nerds."

    —Weekly Tabletop Roleplaying Games Program Participant

  • "This youth group was the place where I came out to someone for the first time. I never realized that PEI had such a big community of people like me... it opened my eyes to the fact that I’m not as different and alone as I thought I was."

    —Rainbow Youth Club Participant

  • "I absolutely loved the consent-focused training that was provided for game leaders and support players. What I loved about learning to apply consent tools in the context of gaming was that it presumed we all wanted and needed conversations about consent. It's an important to build a culture of consent by working with people of all ages so that everyone can enjoy activities, know how to set boundaries, be heard, be respected, and be safe."

    —Weekly Tabletop Roleplaying Games Program Volunteer

  • "I just wanted to say thank you again for coming out the other day. You guys are all amazing at what you do, you’re all so helpful and there’s no judgement, and it takes a lot to have a job where you deal with some of society’s most vulnerable people.”

    —Harm Reduction Participant

Key awards, achievements, and milestones

April 2026 - March 2027

Awards and Recognition:

PEERS Alliance Summerside was awarded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion at the 2026 City of Summerside Annual Awards.

Awards and Recognition:

Executive Director, Josie Baker, was selected as one of Atlantic Canada’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Business for 2026.

PEERS Alliance received the Changemaker Award from A Dollar a Day Foundation, for our outstanding commitment to harm reduction work.

PEERS Alliance received Viceregal Patronage for our longstanding community service.

April 2025- March 2026

April 2024- March 2025

Awards and Recognition:

Henry Luyombya, Social Worker and Courage Builder at PEERS Alliance, receives the 2024 CBC Black Changemakers Award for his continued commitment to the HIV/AIDs movement.

PEERS Alliance received Gold standing in the Non-Profit category of Charlottetown's Community Votes.

Milestones:

 PEERS Alliance purchased our building at 250 Queen Street, right in the heart of Charlottetown.

As part of the Urgent Public Health Needs Site (UPHNS) project, PEERS Alliance opened our Grafton Street Office for community engagement and peer support activities two days each week.

April 2023- March 2024

Awards and Recognition:

The Queer Writing Club published their own book, Are We Friends Now?. This book is an anthology of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth from across P.E.I. The project received the Premier's Award for Stand-out Project of the Year in 2023.

PEERS Alliance received Silver standing in the Community Organization category of Charlottetown’s Community Votes.

Milestones:

PEERS Alliance partnered with Health Canada and the Government of P.E.I. to receive the required Urgent Public Health Site exemption to offer low-barrier, advanced drug-checking services to community members.

April 2022- March 2023

Milestones:

PEERS Alliance’s staff team doubled, adding 7 new staff members.

PEERS launched Camp Aspen, the only 2SLGBTQ+ youth sleepaway summer camp in Prince Edward Island.

April 2016- March 2017

Milestones:

Aids PEI officially undergoes a name change to PEERS Alliance to better represent the broadened mandate. P.E.E.R.S. stands for Prevent, Educate, Empower, Respect, and Support.

April 2015- March 2016

Milestones:

Aids PEI announces that it is broadening its focus to provide harm reduction resources and information on all sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (STBBIs).

April 2000- March 2002

Awards and Recognition:

Aids PEI was awarded the title of Best Service Group by the Summerside Lobster Carnival .

Milestones:

Aids PEI releases its first training module specifically for public school teachers in 2001 titled, “Promoting Positive Attitudes for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Persons: A Training Module.”

Aids PEI partners with Abegweit Rainbow Collective, Lend a Hand Resource Centre and community volunteers to put on educational sessions about AIDS/HIV for the public.

April 1999- March 2000

Milestones:

Aids PEI did a workshop on AIDS/HIV with the Westisle Composite High School Drama club. The club then decided to put on the play, “What Was I Thinking?” The script was written by a student, Michael Boulter, and centered on the concept that contracting HIV/AIDS could happen to anyone. Aids PEI supported the play, showing up to Westisle and the Confederation Centre of the Arts with an information booth so that audience members could find out more about the epidemic.

April 1997- March 1999

Milestones:

In 1997 Aids PEI has its largest AIDS Walk yet, raising $22,000.00. Support continues to grow with many individuals and groups showing up for the AIDs Walk in 1999.

April 1996- March 1997

Milestones:

Over 250 people in Charlottetown and Summerside participated in the 3rd annual AIDS Walk, raising over $15,000.00 for the cause.

Aids PEI partnered with the UPEI Chapel to host a candle lighting vigil in memory of those whose lives were impacted by AIDS/HIV.

April 1994- March 1995

Milestones:

The Lesbian Collective of PEI, the Pride Committee, and Aids PEI collaborated on organising Prince Edward Island’s first Pride march. This event sparked local controversy, with many counter-protesters throwing fruit and making foul comments at the marchers. Fortunately, love won that day, with marchers collecting the fruit and using it to make smoothies.

April 1990- March 1993

Milestones:

Aids PEI officially opens its first office September 6th, 1991.

By 1993, the organization had expanded to two staff members and a large network of dedicated volunteers.

Learn more about PEERS Alliance
Learn more about PEERS Alliance