About
Let us tell you a little more about ourselves
About Us
LetsStopAIDS, Canada’s largest youth-led HIV charity, has been accelerating the global HIV response since 2004. With over 15,000 volunteers and 10 global projects, the organization has impacted more than 300,000 youth worldwide. By fostering youth leadership, education, and community engagement, LetsStopAIDS continues to drive change and destigmatize HIV on a global scale.
Our Vision
ZERO NEW HIV INFECTIONS
LetsStopAIDS envisions a future with zero new HIV infections. Through innovative, youth-led initiatives, LetsStopAIDS raises youth awareness in HIV prevention, treatment and more. With the active involvement of youth promoting awareness within their communities, LetsStopAIDS works towards a healthier, HIV-free future.
Our Purpose
YOUTH-HIV AWARENESS
While the HIV response has advanced, awareness is often overlooked. We believe awareness is crucial for behavioural change. For 20 years, we have inspired young people to take action by promoting HIV prevention and safer sex practices, focusing exclusively on youth through creativity and innovation.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
We believe youth are key to the HIV response. Let’s engage and mobilise youth leadership so that we can end new HIV transmissions. We ignite a movement of passionate young leaders dedicated to shaping a healthier, brighter future. This collectively has created a global network of Youth-HIV peer educators.
Our Values
01
SHARE
Everything we know about HIV, we share with our communities through awareness, programmes, events. As a volunteer-driven organization, our strength comes from working collaboratively.
02
DARE
Creativity and innovation are at the heart of our actions. LetsStopAIDS pushes against societal expectations of youth and never backs down from challenge.
03
CARE
LetsStopAIDS believes youth must be included in creating meaningful solutions. We respect the authenticity of every young person and value their unique backgrounds and experiences.
Our Story
LetsStopAIDS was founded in 2004 by 15-year-old Shamin Mohamed Jr alongside his peers. Looking at his school community, Shamin realized that many of his classmates were going through challenges and no one was interested in discussing issues that affected them, such as their sexual and reproductive lives.
He decided to set up a charity. When he first sought support, his principal underestimated the idea. But Shamin didn't give up. A powerful action any young person can take is to say no under pressure.
In 2023, 19 years later, LetsStopAIDS has had over 220,000+ youth and 10,800 volunteers involved in our programmes. As a recognition of our global efforts, LetsStopAIDS was elected as the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) delegate for North America at the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
LetsStopAIDS is volunteer-driven, led by young people globally who truly care about their local communities and the importance of youth leadership and activism. We have fostered an open environment where all are welcome, regardless of gender, class, sexuality, religion, HIV status, or location. To date, we have 400+ volunteers annually across 21 countries who are revitalising how we think about Youth-HIV programming.
“All it takes is one action to make one dream a reality”
- Shamin Mohamed Jr.
Our Volunteers
LetsStopAIDS puts 400+ Global Volunteers at the core of the charity.
Whether or not our time together has been a single event or since the very beginning, each of you have brought a unique perspective and talent that have helped LetsStopAIDS become one step closer to our vision.
Leadership
Shamin Mohamed Jr.
Founder & President
Gerson Scheidweiler, Ph.D.
Executive Advisor
Tatiana Goulart, MBA, PMP
National Manager
Nandini Sood
International Manager
Dana Won
Digital Content & Brand Identity Manager
Tadek Chmiel
Development Manager
Amit Sangha
People & Culture Manager
Board of Directors
Paul Cadiente
Board Chair
Justin Burns, CFRE
Board Member
Rajesh Pisharody M.Sc, M.Ed, MPH
Board Member
Lia D'Abate, Ph.D
Secretary
Guru Sivapalan, CPA, CA
Treasurer
NAAC Members
The National Action & Advisory Council brings valued perspectives, expertise, and lived experiences to the discussion on how we can create, implement, and continuously improve our national programmes. The council aims to represent and amplify the voices of those in communities who have been deeply affected by HIV.
Amber Chohan
NAAC Member
Veda Jain
NAAC Member
Sarena Akhter
NAAC Member
LetsStopAIDS is always looking for enthusiastic young volunteers (age 15-30) to join our Action & Advisory Council.
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