Aviva Family and Children's Services

My experience with Aviva as a volunteer has been amazing. The staff is caring & focused on completing every project with much intensity & love which makes volunteering at Aviva a pleasure. You look forward to working with everyone, meeting new volunteers and knowing that at the same time you are contributing to a great cause.

Volunteering with aviva has been incredible.
They are so organized and really walk their volunteers through the process. Highly recommend !

Aviva is a wonderful organization that provides amazing services to help women in our community. As a long time volunteer, I am so proud of the work done by Aviva and love my time being involved.

I volunteered to present an empowerment themed creative writing program for Aviva through Create Now. It was a wonderful experience and I felt truly blessed to be able to help such inspirational young women. I saw how hard the organization worked to provide something of value for their residents and I was touched by the stories. I look forward to supporting them again.

I have worked for Aviva for over 4 years and I am so proud to work here. It is a honor to be able to provide assistance and services to people in the community around us.

I have been working for Aviva for 4 years and am so proud to be a part of this organization. Every employee makes a difference. We are a caring and inclusive agency that starts internally and spreads into the communities we serve. Aviva works hard to make sure every person we work with has a positive experience and we help enrich their lives in some way

I have been working with Aviva for almost 4 years and have worked in this field for many non-profits for over 28 years. I started out with Aviva as a Parent Partner for Wraparound Services where I was given the opportunity to assist/support parents as they navigate through the DCFS and Probation systems. During the last year, I have been given the privilege to work as the Director of the Wallis House (crisis housing for young mothers and their children). While working at the Wallis House, I have been able to assist young mothers and their children who are experiencing homelessness by providing a safe environment, while their basic needs are being met (three meals per day, diapers/wipes, hygiene products, free laundry, etc.). My experience working with Aviva has not only been amazing, but rewarding due to working for an agency that shares my passion in helping/supporting others in need.

I have been with Aviva for 18 years it has been a pleasure working with the staff i have learned a lot of new things working with families that mean a lot to the agency. Aviva has been supportive to ideas that the staff has in supporting our families make changes in there lives.

Such a caring & productive charity for young teenage girls who have been through terrible things in their life!

This will always be the organization I think of first when I want to help contribute my time or money. I love the girls and the staff. It's a great nonprofit!!

I am part of an organization that teaches dance to the girls of Aviva. I appreciate the staff at Aviva. They are very friendly, welcoming, and caring for their kids. We enjoy working with them very much!

Aviva has been such a great organization to be involved with. Their events are so well organized and everyone that works there is amazing! Each one of them truly embraces their mission statement and is advocating on behalf of the families they work with in everything they do. I feel so lucky to have found them, and look forward to staying involved with this amazing organization!

Aviva has always been so responsive and well organized. They are so support of volunteers and treat them so well. I love volunteering for Aviva and am so excited to continue to work with them!

I was introduced to Aviva Family and Children's Services in 1999 when my daughters were 3 and 2 years old. I have been on the board of this organization (except for a 2 year hiatus) since the first day of introduction. What I loved about the organization was that it was well-run by its then President, Andrew Diamond and is well-run today by his successor, Regina Bette. What was needed most from the board (like most boards) was fundraising, and the organization has an extremely low ratio of costs for fundraising to amount raised. Over the last 18 years the board has participated significantly in creating 3-5 year Strategic Plans, PR, marketing, including a new logo and a new look and feel to the Annual Report and brochures that we are doing. Since Regina came on board, there has been a great emphasis on accountability and transparency and it has been very welcome by the donors who love to understand how their dollars are helping Aviva accomplish its mission. This organization helps the most vulnerable, at-risk youth in Los Angeles and it does it comprehensively and very well.

I have volunteered at Aviva for the past several years. Aviva is a private foster care agency that provides incredible services to foster children and their families. The highly professional and dedicated staff is totally committed to the well-being of each child in the program. They also have an amazing residential home for girls ages 12-19, where the kids live together and learn life skills that will help them become successful adults. Additionally, Aviva has a dedicated group of volunteers that contribute their time and expertise. As one of those volunteers, I feel fortunate to be able to support Aviva's work and I love meeting the children, so many of whom seem to be thriving even under their personal difficult circumstances. Aviva is a bright, shining star in LA's foster care system.

I have worked with Aviva both professionally and as a volunteer, and I think they are an amazing organization! I've worked in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years, and they are as committed to serving their mission as any nonprofit I've seen... true dedication to the individuals and families they serve. I'm proud to be involved with them!

I have done volunteering for Aviva since 2014 and it is truly a special place. The staff is top notch and the programs they run are benefiting so many young woman at risk. I fell in love with Aviva and decided to donate my birthday last March to the girls at the residential home. I brought 25 of my friends...we brought hair dressers, make up artist and threw the girls and amazing party in honor of my birthday. One of the many things I love about Aviva is they love community involvement. From donating holiday gifts to spending my birthday and more...I love every moment I get the gift of giving to Aviva. My experience and my friends experiences have been life changing and we look forward to doing more. Thank you Aviva for your great work in changing lives!

I really enjoy volunteering for Aviva. The staff goes above and beyond and I know someone is just a phone call away if I have questions or concerns. Aviva treats their staff, kids and volunteers with respect and gratitude. Thank you Aviva!

I was part of a group of Brandeis women who visited Aviva on September 15, 2016. I was very impressed with our tour and enjoyed visiting the girls’ rooms and “project” areas. Not only was every room neat and clean but one could feel the pride the residents as well as the staff have in being part of this wonderful organization. I want to congratulate Aviva for their fine work and their positive results. Our group made a baby shower for one of Aviva’s residents who no longer lives there. She was very articulate about her reasons for being at Aviva at a time in her life when she had nowhere else to go. She advocated her stay there crediting Aviva and staff for her ability to finish high school and start college. She was extremely appreciative of our shower and gifts.

It is a save environment for many young women who would otherwise be on the street, and I commend Aviva for their work in helping to elevate these young women and for teaching them the necessary skills that will hopefully ensure a better future for them.

It was truly an honor and a pleasure to spend the day at Aviva.

Aviva is a remarkable organization, helping so many families navigate through the challenges they face on a daily basis. The colleagues are talented, empathetic and work to empower those they work with and the results are outstanding. Having just celebrated their 100th anniversary, the organization is looking forward to the years ahead and striving to make sure that the needs of the community continue to be addressed.

As a board member, we really get to see how Aviva works, and it's most impressive to see how caring and responsible the entire staff is. This is a very special group of people, who go above and beyond their call of duty. The warmth, love, care and professionalism of those who are Aviva is unparalleled. Glad to be a part of this!

I visited the Aviva House with my Brandeis group and was very impressed with all I saw and learned. The facility was immaculate and their programs are very worthwhile and very needed in our community

I was very impressed with the level of professionalism that we encountered with our two ladies, Elizabeth and Melissa who gave our group a tour. The facility was extremely clean and well kept. The workers that we met were all polite and had smiles on their faces. The good work that is being done on the behalf of these young girls who are at risk is multi-faceted and the facility is meeting their needs with apparent success.

When we went to tour the Aviva House, I was curious about what they do there, eager to learn about the organization, but I had no expectations.

What I really enjoyed the most was the wide variety of activities they offer. One whole floor is devoted to arts and crafts, sewing machines, photography, painting, etc. When I was a teenager I really enjoyed sewing and it brought back fond memories. On another floor there is a meditation room, a beauty salon and a basketball court. There is definitely something for everyone.

We were fortunate enough to meet a young woman, a new mother-to-be, who had lived there for one year. She told us about her experience at Aviva House and she spoke from the heart, recalling her helpful experience.

I had no expectations, but I ended up learning so much!

Doris Goldberg

I was very impressed by the entire Aviva program. There are so many things for these young girls to learn. I think that the idea of giving them positive rewards instead of punishment is a very important thing for youngsters that have been mistreated. It is wonderful to know that there are so many people that care.

I've been volunteering at this home for over a year now (as a mentor & dance teacher) and have had a great experience working with the residents and staff. The home provides enriched activities that cultivate emotional, intellectual & over all personal growth. The teens seem to love expressing themselves through the art of dance and it's been a pleasure facilitating that process. They have been inspired to create performances and choreograph their own dances, which encourages them to be confident, independent & have fun!

Aviva is an organization of patient, hardworking, and dedicated people. Their jobs are tough but they do them with a smile and are diligent when it comes to getting their children and families the care and resources that they need to improve their lives. I have been a volunteer with Aviva for about six months now and while it isn't always easy, you know it's making a difference. This is a nonprofit that deserves your time and your attention. They really are making a difference in the Los Angeles area.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to some young women and it was a welcoming experience. The staff is amazing and the young women were receptive to me talking with them. It was a gratifying experience. Getting hugs at the end of our meeting was the frosting on the cake!

I volunteer at the residential facility at Aviva. The staff there is faced with the rather monumental challenge of caring for teenage girls in the juvenile justice and DCFS systems. Teenage girls of all stripes are a challenging bunch, and the girls at Aviva have had to overcome more than most, but the staff works diligently to provide them with a safe place to live, healthy meals, enrichment activities, and often life-changing therapy. I have been lucky enough to witness and even be part of some fairly transformative moments at Aviva, and I can't imagine where most of these girls would be if they did not have this resource available to them.

I work as a volunteer at Aviva and am so impressed with the different people I have met there working to support the girls and their growth.

I have volunteered at Aviva and I only have great things to say. The staff is incredible and they truly are changing people's lives for the better. I love coming here and Aviva is my favorite charity to volunteer at.

I have been volunteering with this organization for over 3 years and it has been an AWESOME experience! The organization has had longevity and has garnered tons of respect in this community because the programs have been admirably effective at supporting foster children and their families. The staff is caring, attentive and well-trained to provide their clients the resources that they need, in order to be successful in life and volunteers are lifelong.

Aviva fosters an environment that promotes high-risk populations of children to higher levels of success in their personal lives. They provide tons of programs, activities and resources for their clients and creates a family-like environment for their staff and volunteers. I LOVE working with this organization and intend to be around for years to come!

As Program Director at Create Now, it has been my pleasure to partner with Aviva Family and Children's Services in providing arts programming and activities for several years. They are knowledgeable and compassionate - they care about the girls.

Wonderful organization serving children and families in LA for over 100 years!

I became familiar with this organization last year when a close friend of mine and his wife became foster parents through one of Aviva's programs. They eventually adopted a little girl that had been abused and neglected and she is now flourishing in a loving family.

Furthermore, I work with a number of non-profit organizations throughout southern CA as a service provider and I must say that Aviva Family and Children's Services is one of the best in terms of service and value that they bring to the community as well as the manner to which they operate the organization.

I support Aviva because it serves the most vulnerable children and families in Los Angeles. When the unthinkable happens to children, Aviva is there to help. The therapists and counselors give each client a tailored care plan -- whether through foster family and adoption, or wraparound, where they work with families and children in their homes or schools. Their wraparound program even includes a Parent Partner -- another parent whose family previously was in crisis and who now can offer support. Aviva staff are specially trained to help heal children who have been commercially sexually exploited, which is an issue I care deeply about.

During the holiday season I had the pleasure to help wrap presents donated to children who would have otherwise received nothing. I was amazed at the care and thought the Aviva staff put into each child to make sure they received what they wanted and/or needed.

This is an organization that truly is about helping those who need help.

I work with many non-profit organizations and this one is top notch! They are organized and experienced and know just what they are doing. They are truly dedicated to helping these girls to succeed!

Aviva succeeds with young women others have given up on. They are a family of dedicated professionals who provide hope and inspiration and reflect the very best of what a nonprofit community based organization can be.

this organization saves lives, keeps children off the streets, and provide many supportive services! You guys rock!

alumni,
Lola

I love Aviva, it is a place where troubled youth go and can get the proper guidance, support, mental support, and skills that can be used in are everyday life...tho some may not see it that way. I didn't when I was younger. I got the chance to go to Aviva twice in my life. I guess you can say I didn't quite get it right the first time. But let's just say Aviva never gave up on me.the staff the teachers, supervisor all pushed me, believed in me and for the most part was there for me. If it wasn't for Aviva who helped mold me to the person I am today don't know what I would be doing. They've inspired me so much my dream is to work with kids. I know mentor children all ages and volunteer wherever I can. Avila is one place. I guess you can say it's my way of giving back to them showing them how much I appreciate them thanks Aviva. It's homes like yours that makes a big difference

Piece by Piece (a non-profit) received a grant to come and teach mosaic to the girls. Each of the participants worked with us to create a butterfly or an insect out of small tiles, beads, etc. The therapists worked along side the girls, learning and socializing, modeling attentive behavior. The results were beautiful and the girls were photographed with their work, much to their delight. Their posing was fun and inspired by professional product models but was supported by the great staff members that were there. The mosaicked pieces were then taken to Piece by Piece where our participants had created large concrete globes. The girls' work was attached to the globes and our low income, homeless and recently homeless artists created a garden scene around the girls work. Those globes will be on display at the LA County Arboretum and we hope to get the girls out to the site to see their beautiful work in a public venue. We are also photographing the work in situ so that the girls may have a sense of the part they played in creating pieces of beautiful public art. Thank you for allowing us to share with you Aviva! Your staff is fabulous and your program is outstanding!

I was a resident there back in the 1970's when it was called Hamburger Home. The staff were great at teaching responsibility and showing a caring spirit even when many of us girls came from troubled homes and had problems dealing with everyday life. Their continued work helping girls at risk is a valuable and necessary service.

AViva center is one of the most outstanding programs that I ever been involved in. They do it for the love of the children and really care about making a difference in these kids lives. Something that is very hard to come across nowadays.