It’s that time of year again! SSH’s AGM will be held virtually on July 19th at 7PM on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to attend and you can sign up to receive the Zoom link on the day of the AGM by emailing director@saskatoonsh.ca. If you are interested in voting during this meeting, you will need to purchase a membership for $10 either over the phone by calling us at 306-244-7989 or you can purchase the membership online through Canada Helps through the following link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/sexual-health-centre-saskatoon/events/ssh-membership-renewal/
Please also see the bottom of this post to download the 2021 AGM Agenda and the 2020 AGM Minutes.
How much more do any of us have left to give in 2020? This Giving Tuesday, we only ask that you give *yourself* a little extra self-care, self-acceptance, and self-love.
We want to honour the sacrifices you have made and the strength you have shown for your community, your loved ones, and yourself throughout this year by encouraging you to prioritize yourself today, because we cannot pour from an empty cup.
Need some self-care inspiration? Below we have created a list of things you can do for yourself to help keep your cup full.
Self-Care Inspiration
Light some candles, put on a Sade playlist, and take a long, sudsy bath
Visit the Beaver Creek Conservation Area to take a socially distanced hike and hand feed chickadees
Buy yourself a new toy, whether it’s for pleasure or otherwise
Bring home or order a plant or some flowers the next time you buy groceries to remind yourself that spring will always come
*M*a*s*t*u*r*b*a*t*e* (so you can come, too!)
Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange with friends on Animal Crossing
Watch a favourite film from childhood by yourself or with a young person in your life
Find a free yoga video on YouTube for any mood or ability
Play a game of Among Us with your family or friend group
Dress in your best, make yourself a charcuterie board, and treat yourself to a bottle of wine that would normally make you say, “that’s too much for a bottle of wine!”
Marie Kondo your social media feed: if a person you follow does not spark joy, mute or unfollow them
Say “no” to someone
Waste some time and embrace un-productivity
Of course, if you do find that you have more to give after giving back to yourself, you can always help support the services and education we at Saskatoon Sexual Health provide by donating through Canada Helps via the button below.
On July 9th, 2019, Action Canada partnered with Saskatoon Sexual Health and Planned Parenthood Regina to stage an action asking the premiers of Canada’s provinces to take this issue of sexuality education seriously.
Saskatchewan leads the country in teen pregnancy rates. We have staggeringly high rates of domestic and partner violence. Our chlamydia rates for young women between 20-24 are 10x higher than the national average–for male youth in this age group, the rates are 6x higher. Saskatchewan also has provincial rates of HIV that are 2.5x higher than the national average, and transphobia and homophobia are alive and well.
Comprehensive sexual education is a preventative measure that can provide the people of our communities with invaluable information that helps prevent negative outcomes for sexual health while breaking patterns of abuse in unhealthy relationships. Creating inclusive curriculum that is representative of the challenges and experiences of multiple demographics is important if the groups not usually centred in conversations of sexuality and health are to be empowered, and an introduction of diversity in content can provide youth with the representation they need to confidently be themselves and explore their sexuality in safe and healthy ways.
Studies have shown that comprehensive sexuality education reduces the rates of teen pregnancy, delays the onset of sexual initiation, reduces the likelihood of sexual risk-taking behaviours, and reduces the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (UNESCO, 2018).
The evidence is clear: sex-ed saves lives, and the UN has declared the information a human right. Every person, no matter their orientation or background, has the right to receive this life saving information, to make healthier choices for themselves and their families, and to feel comfortable and celebrated in their sexuality and identity.
brings together Saskatchewan-based artists with local musicians and artisans to awaken and titillate your senses.
Body of Art is a transformation of Saskatoon Sexual Health’s (SSH) biennial art auction, which has supported the work of SSH (formerly Planned Parenthood) for over 20 years. This artist-friendly fundraiser helps SSH to provide sexual and reproductive health and education services like low-cost contraceptives, pregnancy options counselling, HIV and STI testing, pap tests, and preventative services that connect people in our community to information and resources.
Join us for an afternoon of art, a warming custom cocktail and sumptuous food from Fresh Dish that will illuminate your senses and inspire you to give back to your community.
Artwork available for auction has been masterfully curated and features a mix of regularly contributing and emerging artists in Saskatchewan. Art viewing will begin at 2:00 pm with the auction beginning promptly at 3:00 pm. Food and refreshments included in .
Featured artists include:
Mindy Yan Miller
Kevin Wesaquate
Marvin Swartz
Dave Stonhouse
Jordan Schwab
Tamara Rusnak
Ian Rawlinson
Alicia Dawn Popoff
Laura Payne
Tim Nowlin
Alison Norlen
Cam McKay
Anne McElroy
Grant McConnell
Steph Krawchuk
Miranda Jones
Clint Hunker
Jane Harington
Gale Hagblom
Karla Griffin
Kim Ennis
Lorenzo Dupuis
Jan Corcoran
Patrick Bulas
Kathy Bradshaw
Bevin Bradley
Catherine Blackburn
Darrell Bell
Joi T. Arcand
Nicki Ault
Bridget Aitken
We look forward to your support and sharing an afternoon with our vibrant arts community. Tickets are available through the following Eventbrite link:
Are you looking for the perfect gift for the reproductive rights and sexual health enthusiast in your life? We got you, fam. No matter your budget, we’ll help you find the perfect gifts. And if you opt to keep some for yourself, we promise not to add you to the naughty list–we are all about the right to choose.
Safety is so hot right now.
Barrier enthusiasts, rejoice! Moschino’s new collaboration with H&M is hitting all the right spots. If this ready-to-wear condom tribute is your thing, you can find them here.
There is no end to the amount of fun, sex-positive flair out there! No matter your orientation, your identity, or your kink–there’s a pin for that. Our staff are particularly fond of local artist Blu Hummingbird’s beaded vulva!
Not enough can be said in appreciation of a good toy. Self-love and pleasure do wonders for your health! The Magic Wand is a classic for a reason, and the Pocket Toyfriends are great for anybody new to toys. The Iroha is a small and mighty, waterproof gem, while the Tenga Flex is great for those in your life with a penis. The creme-de-la-creme toys listed above (and more) are all available in our clinic. Don’t forget to pick up some lube and cleaner for these high-quality toys!
We’ve got you covered. Pun intended. Our Wrap It Up! SK condoms make the perfect stocking stuffers–and better yet, they’re free and widely available around Saskatoon. Stop by our clinic, or send us a line to find out what the nearest access point is for you! Take enough for the whole fam, and show them how much you care, because nobody is asking for an STI this holiday season.
Is there somebody on your list who *h a t e s* receiving gifts? (they do exist). Consider sponsoring an IUD or making a donation in their name through Canada Cares! Link to donate is below the above photo.
Do you or your honey get down with art? Assembled above are some staff picks for tasteful and thought provoking wall adornments to spice up your home. Suggestive oyster watercolours, perhaps? Maybe something more on the bespoke side, like a commissioned @project_wallflower (IG) casting of your yoni or a partners? Better yet, why not plan an art filled date night? Tickets for the SSH Art Auction in March are available here.
Last but not least: Luxury labia label Fendi released this shawl recently, and folks think it looks like a vagina. For $1290 CAN, your sweetheart will look like a vulva, too!
Happy holidays from everyone here at Saskatoon Sexual Health!
Saskatoon Sexual Health’s Annual General Meeting will be held on September 26th, 2018 at Amigo’s Cantina at 7 pm.
The meeting is for the following purposes:
1. To receive the financial statements and annual report of the organization for the financial year that ended March 31, 2018
2. To elect directors of the organization
3. To appoint auditors of the organization for the ensuring year
4. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting
All members, partners, and friends of SSH are invited. To vote you must be an SSH member. You can get your membership at the SSH office or the AGM for $10.
For more information please contact Amanda at hello@saskatoonsh.ca.
We are excited to announce that we are working to implement an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. This integrated technology replaces paper charts with electronic records and will streamline other functions such as managing prescriptions and tests. This has been a priority for Saskatoon Sexual Health for a number of years as we lack the storage space necessary to manage the number of current paper files and want to reduce our environmental impact.
We are confident that this new system will result in organizational efficiencies and we will be able to serve clients better. However, it will take some time to convert the thousands of patient files and for all of our team to adapt to the new system and ways of doings things. Our goal is to have the system fully implemented by January 2019 with as little disruption to clinic operations as possible.
We ask for your patience and understanding during this transition as we get fully up to speed. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact our Executive Director, Heather Hale at director@saskatoonsh.ca.
The Saskatoon Sexual Health with the generous support of the Saskatoon Community Foundation has partnered with Creative Options Regina and the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living to offer a new initiative in the community.
Tell It Like It Is! provides sexual health and wellness education during a ten week period; the purpose is to assist diverse learners and the people who support them in making life choices that promote optimal health and wellness in all dimensions of life. Using a compassionate approach, each module offers various learning opportunities through such topics as: Communication Skills; Self-Confidence; Nutrition and Hygiene; Online Safety; Developing Goals and Dreams; Building Healthy Relationships; as well as Sexual Education and the protection and prevention of different infections, diseases and pregnancy.
Put on your best going-to-town outfit and join us on Main Street of Boomtown! This relaxed but fun event will begin at 6:30pm with cocktails. Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm, followed by a short program and live music. There will also be a pie walk, silent auction, and guests are encouraged to participate in the Boomtown scavenger hunt. Folks are also welcome to explore the museum during the event. Tickets are available at www.picatic.com/soapboxsocial
