Agency Details:

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Aviva seeks to enhance services that improve the quality of life for children who are victims of neglect, abuse and poverty and are in the care of Child Protective Services.

Description:
Aviva Children's Services is a Tucson-based, non-profit agency that provides a variety of support services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are in the custody of Child Protective Services.

These children may have physical and emotional needs which are not currently met by other existing resources.

Aviva offers help by linking these children with community resources. Aviva Children's Services provides assistance through three important vehicles:
-The Aviva/Child Protective Services Volunteer Program
-The Aviva/Child Protective Services Visitation Program
-The Abused Children's Fund

Contact people:

Susan Kelly, Volunteer Coordinator, (520) 327-6779 x11, (email)
Bonnie Demorotski, Volunteer and Community Resource Coordinator, (520) 327-6779 , ext. 13, (email)

Office fax number: 520-327-6052

Languages Spoken: English

Address:

1735 E. Ft. Lowell Suite 4
Tucson, AZ 85719
(See a map)

Web Site: http://www.avivatucson.org

Directions:

From Broadway, take Campbell Avenue NORTH. Turn left, WEST, at Ft. Lowell. We are just west of Campbell on the north side of the street.

Last updated on November 13, 2009

User Reflections Post Your Own!

5 Overall Experience Experience rating
Creating Christmas memories for Children

This job is more than just about wrapping presents. First, you "go shopping" by choosing gifts from the hundreds donated. Working from a list, you choose age and gender appropriate gifts for each child. For example, if there are three children in a family, you choose one "family" gift such as a ball or game. Then, you pick out a Christmas stocking, a toy (gift), and a stuffed animal for each child (ages infant to teen). There are also handmade blankets and quilts to add to the gift package. All of the gifts are organized by age and gender. There are also books and many handmade (crochet; quilt) gifts for all ages. Through this experience, I felt great empathy and compassion for each child I knew only by first name and age. I did my best to envision a child that age and what he or she would love to have on Christmas day. I tried to pick out gifts that created a theme while taking into consideration how the gifts would be perceived or shared if there was more than one child in a family. Doing this work brought me back to my own childhood memories of Christmas. We were poor and often received only one gift. Sometimes we did not have a tree. However, through this volunteer work, I was able to -- in a sense -- create a Christmas that I never had. It was a healing experience for me. It made me believe in Santa again! Through this volunteer opportunity, I learned about a great organization that does good work for the most vulnerable children in our community. Now I will start buying quality toys and books for next year's toy drive. At the moment, I am unemployed and running out of money; however, doing work to benefit children is a great way to lift one's spirit and look forward to a hopeful future for the children and for yourself. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a very happy new year!
posted by kosko_99@yahoo.com on December 16, 2008