Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is excited to announce the winners of the 2025 The Helen & Fred Bentley Awards for Excellence of Achievement. This year we are recognizing the work of:
This year’s recipients continue in the great tradition of previous winners, in working to ensure that sexual and reproductive health services are available to all. We are thankful to have these organizations as part of our Associates Network.
Here’s more about this year’s winning programs, and the innovative and creative ways they are working to connect with people in their communities:
- Sexual Health Nova Scotia is an umbrella organization supporting a network of sexual health centres across the province. They are being awarded for their Community of Practice virtual series for providers as part of their SUGAR Health project. This is a space for healthcare providers looking to improve their capacity to deliver accurate, up-to-date, and inclusive care to clients seeking support related to sexual health, gender, and reproductive health. At a time when our public health systems are under-resourced, programs that work to build connection, to share knowledge and resources, are crucial to ensure that Canadians are still able to access the best sexual health care and services possible.
- Options for Sexual Health manage and co-manage 48 clinics across the province, providing sexual health services to 20,000+ clients in largely rural and remote communities. Options for Sexual Health are being awarded for their Sex Sense program. For almost 30 years, Sex Sense staff have provided evidence-based sexual health information and resources to the public by phone and email, as well as to health care providers and educators. In the past year alone they have responded to nearly 6000 clients, answering over 3000 questions about contraception. They have also been working with clinical and community partners to redevelop Options’ Birth Control resources, as well as collaborating on the Ask Us: Youth Voices to Improve Contraceptive Access Project.
About the Helen and Bentley Awards
The Helen & Fred Bentley Awards for Excellence of Achievement recognize outstanding achievements by Associate Organizations of Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, particularly in the contraceptive care.
About Action Canada’s Associate Organizations Network
Action Canada’s Associate Organization Network is a group of sexual health service, support, and education providers from across the country. Together we work to mobilize our movement to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for everyone.
For more information about the winning programs and the Bentley Awards, please contact info@actioncanadashr.org.