Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre, an inclusive, pro-choice non-profit organization is facing an imminent interruption to its sexual health services due to a funding shortfall. The impact is already being felt: our community education program—reaching over 20,000 students and families each year—has been suspended and we have been forced to lay off clinical support staff.

Without immediate support, we will be forced to cut or even eliminate vital clinical services for the 11,000+ patients who rely on us each year for their sexual and reproductive wellbeing.

Chronic systemic underinvestment and rising operational costs have forced us to lay off 7 essential team members—including front desk administrative staff. These people are the foundation of our operations, ensuring timely, uninterrupted access to services for our clients. If additional funding is not secured quickly, core services will shrink - leaving patients with no choice but to rely on already overburdened services such as urgent and primary care centres and emergency rooms.

The consequences will be profound: preventable STBBI outbreaks, delayed diagnoses of serious conditions like cervical cancer, interrupted access to PrEP and PEP, and reduced gender-affirming care. Adequate, sustained, and equitable funding for sexual and reproductive healthcare and education is essential to uphold human dignity, advance gender equality, and ensure universal access to life-saving health services such as those that ISH has provided to Victoria since 1969.

Your Tax Receiptable Gift Makes a Real Impact

$50 - One hour of information and referrals for youth through our youth Q&A text line

$75 – Provides safer sex supplies such as non-latex barriers at no cost to one client for one year

$125 – Covers gender-affirming apparel and supplies for one client

$250 – Funds one full day of administrative support in the provision of one to one client communication

$500 – Supplies essential sexual health medications to 2 uninsured patients

$1,000 – Sponsors sexual health education for 8 - Grade 9/10 classes in a single local high school

With gratitude for your support,

ISH CHC Team