Red Scarf Project 2025
We are excited to embark on the Red Scarf Project for our 8th year! The Red Scarf Project is an awareness-raising and stigma-busting initiative in support of people living with HIV in Waterloo Region & Guelph-Wellington County.
Where it started
The red ribbon has been an international symbol for AIDS awareness since 1991. Inspired by the iconic ribbon, we began welcoming community members to wear scarves in every shade of red for World AIDS Day (December 1st). We began by collecting red scarves created by service users, volunteers, and community groups, along with their personalized messages expressing what their relationship with HIV and what Thrive HIV Prevention & Support (formerly ACCKWA) meant to them. These scarves and messages were made available for purchase in December, demonstrating to the community the many different ways HIV can impact someone’s life, regardless of their status.
Where we are now
For the Red Scarf Project, the process is just as important as the end product. Isolation is a consequence of HIV-related stigma, and our goal with this project is to bring our service users together with members of the community to learn, mourn, support and celebrate the real, lived experiences of people living with HIV. During the month of November, we will host various events aimed at raising awareness & funds to support people living with HIV in our community. Explore related events by clicking on each relevant tab above.