QAHC - Queensland Association for Healthy Communities

The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities Inc. (QAHC – pronounced ‘quack’) is a community-based, non-government health promotion charity and deductible gift recipient.
 
Formed in 1984 to fight HIV/AIDS, the Queensland AIDS Council expanded its role in 2006 to address a wider range of health issues for all in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and renamed itself QAHC.
 
As a health promotion organisation we believe that health is not just the absence of disease, but is a state of physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional and economic health and wellbeing. We see health as a resource for everyday living, not the objective of life, and see health promotion as the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.
 
Our Vision A Queensland where all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people achieve the best possible health and wellbeing and participate fully in the life of communities, free from stigma and discrimination.
 
Our Mission To enable lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to increase control over and improve their health, as a resource for social, economic and personal development and an important dimension of quality of life. QAHC delivers health promotion services across the state via four main programs:
 
LGBT Health

• addressing priority health issues (inc. mental health, alcohol, tobacco & other drugs, overweight & obesity, violence & safety)
• addressing priority population groups (inc. seniors, women, trans, CALD)
• LGBT awareness training to service providers
• info, resources & policy development
• research & consultation
• a public voice on LGBT health issues Sexual Health
• printed and electronic campaigns & resources
• info seminars, workshops & retreats
• 1800 men’s sexual health line & www.men.org.au
• free condom & dam pack distribution
• outreach to venues, events, beats and on-line
• training & liaison with sexual health services
• a public voice on HIV and sexual health issues 2 Spirits – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
• whole of community forums
• printed and electronic campaigns & resources
• peer support networks, workshops & retreats
• outreach to community events & services
• community & cultural development
• training & liaison with service providers
• a public voice on indigenous issues Community Capacity Building
• LGBT community resource centres (see back panel)
• healthy communities fund
• info, events, news, directory and more at www.qahc.org.au
• support for community festivals & events
• publication of local LGBT newsletters and websites
• facilitation & support for social support groups
• history project
• a public voice on LGBT rights

 
Be a Volunteer QAHC has several exciting volunteering opportunities available across the state, including: outreach & events, administration and working-bees. Training and regular supervision is provided. To find out more and register your interest in being a volunteer, go to www.qahc.org.au/volunteer
 
Make a Donation Did you know that QAHC only receives ongoing government funding for our HIV work with gay men? All other work is made possible by donations, bequests, sponsorships and one-off grants. To find out more about how you can support QAHC go to www.qahc.org.au/donation
 
Become a Member As a community-based organisation we are owned and directed by our members. Anyone who supports the mission of the organisation can become a member of QAHC. Members are entitled to vote at general meetings, stand for election to the Board and have a say in the future of the organisation. To find out more about becoming a member visit www.qahc.org.au/member