MR ATLANTIC CANADA LEATHER

In Halifax the Mr. Atlantic Canada Leather Society has decided to participate by donating half the proceeds from their upcoming Easter Basket Raffle to the Stepping Stone Street Outreach Program which provides services to women, men and youth involved in street prostitution. "People working in street based prostitution are inherently at risk for HIV infection and they are on the street in the first place because of dire economic factors" says Chris Aucoin the M.A.C. Leather Chairman. "For many this includes not having a stable home or perhaps any home at all. We felt that the work Stepping Stone does came closest to addressing homelessness and AIDS which are the issues that 'A Leather Day of Caring' is challenging us to get involved with."

Stepping Stone is a "user-directed" street outreach program for people who are either already working on the streets or who are at risk of becoming involved in street prostitution. Their staff regularly cover the "stroll" districts of Halifax, making contact, offering a chance to talk, and responding to requests for practical help in a variety of ways. They're ready to answer questions about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, broader sexuality issues, and to talk about current "hazards" on the streets. Stepping Stone also offers a resource center, "drop-in" services, and an Emergency Re-Location Service so that secret, safe accommodation can be arranged quickly for anyone requiring urgent assistance in leaving the streets. The organization speaks out on issues affecting people who are working on the streets and they work with other community-based groups and with local agencies in addressing the social, economic, and legal dimensions of street prostitution.

The M.A.C. Leather Easter Basket Raffle will take place at Club NRG on Saturday, April 19. Tickets may be purchased at Venus Envy, Wolfgang Leather's, Club NRG, and Toolbox East or from any of the Halifax area members of the M.A.C. Leather Board.

Check out http://www.msworldleather.com to find out more about "A Leather Day of Caring". To find out more about Stepping Stone and it's services check out their web site http://www.supercity.ns.ca/~stepping or phone 902-420-0103. For details on the Easter Basket Raffle watch for posters or contact the M.A.C. Leather Society through their web site http://www.macleather.net or by phoning 902-423-6999, ext #4.