2010 - Aviva Children`s Services

Aviva Children’s Services Volunteer and Visitation Programs
for Child Protective Services
KIDS AT HEART
SPRING 2010
Aviva Finds New Home and
Sets to Open New Visitation Center
After many years of saving and dreaming, Aviva will soon call 153 South Plumer Avenue home. Before going into the
details, it is appropriate to honor the commitment of Anne Sankey and the Board for laying the foundation for this move. Their
prudent stewardship of funds entrusted to Aviva has made this possible.
Aviva Children’s Services is happy to announce that a major portion of our recently acquired building will become a
VISITATION CENTER, a place dedicated to hosting quality parent-child visits! For the past 10 years, and for 10 years prior
to that, under the auspices of La Hacienda Foster Care Resource Center, our staff has provided supervised visitation for
foster children in Pima County. For these 20 years we have dreamed of acquiring a perfect visit facility.
Why should families visit? Supervised visitation is one to four hours a week of uninterrupted interaction and bonding time,
providing families a way to help repair emotional damage and to help stop the cycle of abuse. The Child Welfare Act and the
Arizona State Legislature mandate that parents be provided services that teach them how to maintain a safe, nurturing home
for their children. A case plan is written for each family and part of that plan is visitation, because quality visitation is essential
to the well being of the children and because these contacts create a greater likelihood that parents will succeed and that the
family can be reunited.
Without family contact, most formerly abused children languish. Despite the past, they love their parents and siblings, worry
about them and constantly wonder when they will see them again. As they grow older, children need an accurate picture of
their parents’ behavior, even if negative. Without contact children often suppress negative memories and idealize their parents,
continued on page 4
The NEW AVIVA - BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE
In the fall of 2009, the building
at 153 South Plumer was put up
for sale. Our real estate agent
Terry Lavery (Oxford Realty)
contacted Anne. Working at a
rapid pace, Anne and the Board
entered into successful negotiations.
The building became ours on
December 29, 2009. The favorable market and a generous downpayment have enabled us to own
for about the same amount as our
current rent. James R. Watson
Architect, PLC was chosen for the
design of the grounds and interior.
Patricia Mooney, ASID, and her
design team at Designlines, Inc.
will provide the color palate and
design advice for the new building. While we hope for summer
occupancy, we understand the
fluctuating nature of construction.
The most immediate benefit of
our new home will be having all
programs and staff under one
roof. The staff has worked hard
over the past year developing
structures and behaviors to unify
Aviva internally. For that reason,
we are anxious to be in a place
that will support the collaborative
spirit that has emerged.
Let’s take a walk through the
building—starting from the
northwest corner.
This area provides enough space
so that all storage will be contained
in our new building. On a practical
level, this means we will no longer
have to rent two storage areas. All
donations of clothing and other tangibles will be quickly sorted and
either stored on premises or given
to other agencies. Adjacent to the
storage area will be the Aviva
Store—the place where Case Managers and Case Aides come to get
clothing, diapers and other items
for those under their care.
There will be a staff lunch/break
room. This will be another way to
foster a sense of community among
staff and volunteers.
NORTH
WEST
Page 2
EAST
Kids at Heart
Aviva’s New Home, cont.
Continued from page 2
There will sufficient offices for all current staff with
one office designated for part-time staff. The Life Book
room will contain all resources and will be set up as a
work room for the production of the books.
Moving toward the southwest corner, there will be
another storage area for the bags and quilts we use for
the children, as well as the bolts of cloth we use to
produce the bags.
A large conference room will be used for Board and
staff meetings primarily. It will also be used by CPS
workers when they need to conduct a staffing for particular cases. The back wall of the room will have a
library of books and periodicals for staff and volunteers
to deepen their knowledge of the child welfare field.
The Executive Director’s office will anchor the southwest corner of the building.
The front of the building (facing south) has extensive
glass to add to the brightness of the facility. For security purposes, the main entrance will be in the middle
of the front of the building and access will be controlled.
The reception area will be located immediately in front
of the main door. Next to the reception area will be a
waiting area.
The east half of the building (about 5,000 square feet)
will be dedicated to the first-ever Visit Center in southern Arizona. A front-page provides more details about
this area.
Visitation Office Staff will be located in an area adjacent to the Visit Center—approximately in the center
of the building. In the middle of the north side of the
building, we will have a permanent training room. This
will give us the opportunity to do training during the
day, in the evening and on weekends. As we grow, we
will be extending our training program to other, smaller
agencies to increase service throughout the community.
We have now come full circle and are back at the storage area. Look at the floor plan on page two of this
newsletter to help you imagine our new home and the
wonderful work we will be doing.
Aviva’s New Program:
ONGOING PARENTAL SUPPORT
With Aviva’s new center due to open, Aviva is in
a unique position to step into "gap" areas once
serviced by CPS. Our goal is to reduce the rate of
recidivism among post-CPS client families.
Once CPS has closed a case, there are no established supportive services to assist/monitor
families in their efforts to heal and make progress.
Subsequently, cut off from the connection to CPS,
families revert to negative coping mechanisms
leading to abuse.
Ongoing Parental Support would take place at
the new center, at times and on days convenient
to the families.
We envision the following:
!Offer outreach to families recently re-unified or
about to be re-unified.
!Establish regular peer support sessions wherein
parents can meet together for mutual support
and encouragement while Aviva volunteers
would provide supervised child care.
!Include newly re-unified families in Aviva’s extensive resource program, such as for clothing
assistance.
!Provide more extensive parental training programs, with a special emphasis on families with
children under 5 years old, since more than 50%
of CPS children are under the age of 5.
!Develop additional resources to help address
housing or job possibilities.
!Identify and train “successful” post-CPS families
to serve as peer support for newly re-unified
families, perhaps providing some kind of stipend for these families.
Page 3
Kids at Heart
AVIVA HOME TO NEW VISITATION CENTER, cont.
Continued from Page 1
making the formation of new bonds
difficult if/when family reunificaiton is
not possible.
The Need: When Child Protective
Services has removed children from
their homes due to parental neglect or
abuse, visitation policy requires that until
families learn to interact appropriately,
their visits must be strictly supervised
by a trained CPS or contracted professional in a secure, controlled environment. This allows for close observation and for backup help if there are
problems. For lack of alternative facilities, this has usually meant confinement
for one or two hours in a small CPS
room. Or, because CPS buildings are
so crowded, the only available space
may be on benches in areas outside the
office.
Certain Pima County agencies provide visits for families with specific
needs or for children in residence at
their facility. But there have not been
an adequate number of visit sites for
the many remaining CPS families needing visits, the families with whom Aviva
works primarily. For each of the past
three years, Aviva has supervised approximately 175 visits per week for a
total of 9,100 visits per year.
The Search: In August 2008, Aviva
Board of Directors members toured
visit centers in the Phoenix area and
also began looking for suitable sites in
Tucson. In October of that year, we
found our ideal building at 153 S.
Plumer Avenue. Unfortunately, just
prior to our inquiry, another party began negotiating for the site. In September 2009, the other party withdrew their
interest, the City approved our use, and
in December we closed the transaction. This former warehouse became
our dream come true – a visitation center for children and families and adequate office space for our volunteer
and visitation staff.
Page 4
What is an ideal visit facility? The
goal for quality visitation is consistency
in a safe, happy and enjoyable environment, where the venue, the activities
and the atmosphere combine to
strengthen family bonds – whether playing outside, eating in the kitchen or reading together on a couch in a private visit
room. The ideal facility is a separate
center dedicated to helping families feel
comfortable and with options for privacy
as well as for movement through an
open environment containing many
choices of activities and space for both
inside and outside play areas.
Our Visitation Center will have six
private visit rooms, open space for a
toddler play area, a recreation room for
older children, a kitchen where families
can share lunch or work on craft
projects, and a secure outside play area
with shade, picnic tables and play equipment. There will be toys and games
appropriate for various age levels. There
will be an inviting reception area with
friendly, welcoming staff.
Trained visit supervisors will be assigned to each family to offer materials
for age appropriate activities, to facilitate family interaction and to provide descriptive documentation for CPS and the
courts.
Our new location at Broadway Boulevard and Plumer Avenue is just yards
away from bus transportation. The property has adequate parking for parents,
staff and visitors. The center will have
secure entrances and exits. And because it will be open weekdays until 7
p.m. and on Saturdays to accommodate
working parents, we anticipate that it will
be able to handle at least 175 visits per
week.
For many reasons, Aviva staff and
the Board of Directors are extremely
excited about our new building. In addition to visitation, this facility will provide
space for Aviva to offer additional services to Pima County families in the future. We anticipate that opening day will
be sometime in late summer and we
hope you will visit us then and share
our joy.
Please join the Arizona Heart Gallery
& the Blue Ribbon Campaign in honoring all of the courageous
children in the foster care system in Pima County, as well as the foster &
adoptive families who love them. The Arizona Heart Gallery will display
compelling photographs of children in the Arizona foster care system
who are hoping someone will adopt them. Could that someone be YOU?
If you or someone you know is thinking of becoming a foster parent, this
is a great event to meet folks from the agencies that license foster
parents as well as to speak to those already making a difference in a
child’s life.
The Blue Ribbon Event
Saturday, May 1, 2010
4:00 – 7:00 pm
Thoroughbred Nissan
5163 E 22nd Street
(Between Swan and Craycroft)
In the spirit of changes happening at Aviva, including the addition of our new
building and a new program, we are moving toward more electronic communication
via the website and email. The newsletter will always be printed for those who want
to hold it in their hands. Please let us know, however, if you would like to save
paper and mailing costs by reading the newsletter from our website. Send us your
email address to let us know that is your preference and also if you are interested
in receiving news updates. Our website www.avivatucson.org has the latest news
and more photos of events that you can see.Thank you for your continued support.
Kids at Heart
Sew-“Much Fun”-A-Thon
A Special thanks to all those who attended the 11th Annual Bags For Kids Sew-A-Thon
On Saturday, March 13, 126 dedicated people joined forces to sew the day away at this year’s new venue, Pima
Community College West Campus. Volunteers of all ages enjoyed the event, hosted by new Bags For Kids Coordinator,
Pat Palmer and her alter ego “Maxine of Hallmark” fame.The 997 bags completed at the event, along with bags that are
made throughout the year by community groups and volunteers, will ensure that children in the care of Child Protective
Services will have cloth duffel bags to carry their belongings.
In 2009, Aviva distributed 3,143 Bags For Kids to children. Aviva gives a very special thanks to those of you who sew
bags throughout the year and to those groups who hold their own mini Sew-A-Thons each year. Your work touches many,
many children. Go to our website (avivatucson.org) and follow the link under “Special Events” to view more pictures of
the 2010 Sew-A-Thon.
2010 Sew-A-Thon
Sponsors
i
S
Weigand Financial Group
(Greg Weigand)
Pima County FCE
Southwest Energy LLC
Desert Aircraft
(Terri & Dave Johnson)
Sale Maker LLC (Paula Payton)
Elena and Gunter Wessels
Eegees
John Wagner (creator of Maxine)
Arizona Safety and Solar
(Josh Taylor)
Al Mida Photography
Keller Williams So. AZ
(Christine Taylor)
Pro Group Mgmt. (Karen Sargeaunt)
Pam Kline
Jerry Brooks
Marge McKain
Fred Karcher
Go Girl Energy Drink (Shelby Kline)
The Bags for Kids Sew-A-Thon is sponsored collaboratively by the Community Partnership of Southern
Arizona, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Child Protective Services and Aviva Children’s Services.
Spring 2010
Page 5
tTThank You to Our Holiday Heroes!
As they have for decades, the
Sun Riders
Motorcycle Club came through again this past
Christmas season. They hosted their 28th Annual Holiday
Toy Parade for the Aviva.
They secured a new outstanding location at Udall Park
and included a great route through the east side of Tucson
to Beaudry RV. Amazing weather helped bring out more
than 1,000 motorcyclists who revved up to contribute
$10,000 and more than 1,200 toys valued at over $14,000.
That included several bicycles dropped off at Harley
Davidson of Tucson.
Since 2001 the SunRiders have donated $286,575 and
15,800 toys. That is impressive!!! The money raised goes
directly into the Abused Children’s Fund and 100% of it is
spent to benefit children in CPS care.
We couldn’t do what we do without them. Thank you
Sun Riders!
Thanks too goes to Santa Barry for
hauing toys from Wal-Mart to the
Book of Life Church and then after
wrapping days, back to Aviva.
Sunquest has been holding its annual barbecue in benefit of Aviva for the past 10 years. Ken,
Jerry, Carolyn and Rick cooked the hot dogs, hamburgers and beans. Lynn and Ann helped keep the
line moving and make sure supplies stayed
stocked. Cynthia, and Cherie who doesn’t even
work at Sunquest anymore , provided food.
This is such a great event and is the kickoff to the
holiday season for Aviva. Since 2001, Sunquest
employees have donated cash, gift cards and toys
totalling more than $46,000.
Page 6
When Ginny Jones, front left in photo above, retired from
her software-testing job at Sunquest in 2008, she began
looking for a meaningful volunteer experience. After
attending the Sunquest Barbeque for many years and
hearing about Aviva, Ginny thought the Life Book Project
might be just what she was looking for. Ginny was assigned to a book for a little boy who was in the process of
being adopted. As Ginny progressed through the research
portion of the book, she met and got to know both the boy
and his adoptive parents and was even invited to attend
their formal adoption ceremony.
If you are looking for a new volunteer experience like the
Life Book Project or any of the other programs we offer at
Aviva, please contact an Aviva volunteer coordinator for
more information at 327-6779.
Kids at Heart
Our Donors—Our Volunteers—Our Bright Spots
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Unity in the Valley Church, located in Sahuarita, has collected, held and
Adopt-A-Stocking Project was a big
blessed stuffed animals during services for the past eight years. The
hit with groups like Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Cancongregation and Reverend Maurice Guerette, on far right, sends prayers, yon View Elementary (bottom photo), Doolen Middle
along with the donated animals to children in CPS’ care.
School, Brownie Troops,( such as pictured here),
Geico Insurance (third photo) several health
offices(such as Dermatology Associated in top photo)
and churches also participated.
Thank you for caring and sharing.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
In Memory—Sam Stein,
long-time friend and Aviva
supporter, passed away on
February 22, 2010. Sam and
his wife Harriette began donating Harriette’s crocheted
blankets, school supplies,
toys and games to CPS in
1995. One word that
Harriette says described
Sam — “gentleman”.
He will be missed.
LDS Camino Principal men’s
group, and spouse, help Aviva
by moving all the toys to the
wrapping location. Then they
stayed and set all they hauled up
around the room.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Pantano Christian Church Staff helped Aviva on holiday Wrapping Day.
The church members also adopted 33 families, 200 stockings and
contributed several thousand dollars.
Spring 2010
i
Page 7
The Aviva Board of Directors — Who They Are. What They Do.
By Shelley Hawthorne Smith
Leadership and governance in a nonprofit organization are shared between
a Board of Directors and the Executive Director. While the Executive
Director is responsible for the day-today operation of the agency, the
Board concerns itself with planning
and visioning. Together, they create a
powerful team to grow the organization to its highest capacity. And so it is
with Aviva. In addition to planning for
growth, the Board has specific duties:
! Ensuring that the organization
stays true to its mission
! Creating policy to govern the organization
! Evaluating the Executive
Director’s performance
! Adopting the annual budget and
overseeing financial issues
! Developing financial and community resources
Aviva’s Board of Directors meets as a
group six times a year. Each member
is on one of the standing committees:
Finance, Personnel and Public Relations. Currently, an “ad hoc” Building
Committee helps to oversee the
development of the new office building
on Plumer.
Under Anne Sankey’s leadership, the
Board of Directors helped to nurture
Aviva from a small organization in
1980 to an organization with 19 full
and part-time staff who serve more
than 120 children a month with
resources (food, clothing, shoes,
diapers), administer the CPS volunteer
program that includes social worker
assistants, mentors, life book writers,
the Bags for Kids project and handmade items, along with 35 field visit
supervisors who provide over 175
families with visits per week. The
prudent stewardship of the Board
insured that Aviva would have the
necessary funds to purchase a permanent site and adequate funds to
stabilize funding.
After a long search, the Board hired
Bob Heslinga in March, 2009 to serve
as Executive Director. Bob began his
term last year with lots of energy and
ideas for the future of Aviva. The
development of the Board is a key part
of his plan to move Aviva towards a
new stage as an organization. He and
Anne (who is now the Board president) have added new members to the
Board and have organized educational
opportunities for those members. The
profiles below demonstrate the wide
range of experience and skills that
different members bring to the Board.
All are committed to Aviva’s mission
and are excited about its future.
MEET THE AVIVA BOARD OF DIRECTORS!
Born and raised in Seattle, Anne graduated from the University of Washington. She pursued
several interests before becoming a Montessori teacher. After moving to Tucson she became a
member of an adoptive parents group concerned about issues in CPS. Learning of the many
obstacles that CPS workers had to overcome, she started a volunteer program under the umbrella
of La Hacienda in 1978 to improve the lives of foster children. In 1998 La Hacienda was acquired
by a national agency focused on mental health. In order to best serve the children of Pima County,
the group became a separate organization and took the name Aviva. Anne spent 10 years nurturing Aviva as Executive Director. She retired in the summer of 2009 and now serves as the Board
President.
Anne Sankey
As a Certified Public Accountant, Theresa’s skills are invaluable to Aviva. She worked in Ohio
and California in various financial positions before obtaining her CPA license in California. A year
later she settled in Texas and began working with Mitchell & Roediger, LLP. In Texas, she was a
founding board member and volunteer of the Food Pantry of Jeff Davis County, which still
operates successfully. She now spends most of her time in Tucson, working with Mitchell &
Roediger on a full-time basis. Theresa joined the Board in 2008 and impresses the other members
with her financial savvy. She is the Board Treasurer and chairs the Financial Committee.
Theresa Tanner
Newer members of the Board like to sit next to Drucilla at Board meetings because of her many
years of experience with Aviva. She began her service on the Board in 1999 and brings a wealth
of outside experience to the position. She worked as an English and Spanish teacher, a developer
of educational products, a real estate agent, and a property manager. Since the 1980’s, she has
volunteered with Aviva and has served in many capacities. Currently, she is the Board secretary
and a member of the Public Relations Committee.
Drucilla Schmieder
Spring 2010
Continued on page 9
Claire Richardson
Page 8
MEET THE AVIVA BOARD OF DIRECTORS!
Continued from page 3
Carole Bennett
Carole brings valuable insight to Aviva from her years of experience with CPS. After graduating
from the University of Wisconsin, she worked as a probation and parole agent and as a kindergarten
teacher. Carole then began a 22-year career in CPS as a line staff worker, Unit Supervisor, and
Program Specialist. She joined the Board in 2007 and currently chairs the Personnel Committee. Her
knowledge of CPS and the community brings an experienced perspective to bear on agency issues.
Cherie Fowler
Cherie brings valuable experience in project and resource management to Aviva. She worked for 12
years at the NY State University before moving to Tucson to work with Sunquest Information
Systems. After many years with Sunquest, she moved on to consulting work with a project and
resource management tool called Clarity. She has worked with companies including Honda, PriceWaterhouse, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Kaiser Permanente. She brings her years
of experience and knowledge to serve on the Finance Committee with Aviva.
Claire Richardson
Claire brings experience in the areas of financial services, prevention, community development, and
child welfare to Aviva. She graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Hawaii.
Currently, she works with PAXIS Institute in Tucson. Claire develops materials, gives workshops
and presentations, and provides on-going consultation. She has volunteered in many organizations
and Aviva was fortunate to have her join the Board in 2010.
Erica Saunders
Erica Saunders comes to Aviva with a life-long desire to work with children. After graduating from
California State with a degree in Social Work, she went to work for Child Protective Services in
California. Returning to Tucson in 1999, she was hired as a Child Advocate through CPS in Arizona.
In 2002, Erica resigned her position with the Child Welfare Unit to raise her son. At the same time, she
began working as a Life Book writer, continuing that involvement for five years. Upon completion of
her master’s, she was hired to serve as an Intervention Counselor at City High School. Erica is
married and has two sons. She joined the Board in 2009 and serves on the Personnel Committee.
Mark Smith
Mark’s interest in working with children began as a Boy Scout Camp counselor when he was in high
school. Helping his father with carpentry work as he grew up, Mark grew to enjoy building projects
and is excited to be part of the Building Committee. Mark graduated with a degree in Computer
Science from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He currently works as an engineer at
Raytheon and joined the Board in 2009. He is married to Shelley and has a young son. Mark is part
of the Finance Committee and has more recently joined the Building Committee.
Shelly Hawthorne-Smith
Shelley graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with a degree in English. She has taught in many
different settings, from preschool to community college. She began volunteering as a Life Book Writer
with Aviva in 2000 and spent one summer as a visit supervisor with Aviva. Currently, she teaches
freshman writing at the University of Arizona and is working on her dissertation in Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English. She began serving on the Board in 2009 and is chair of the Public
Relations Committee.
Aviva Children’s Services
Mission Statement
The misson of Aviva is to enhance services that improve the quality
of life for children who are victims of neglect, abuse, and poverty, and
who are in the care of Child Protective Services.
Spring 2010
Page 9
Helping Families in Need!
By Bob Heslinga,Executive Director
Leaving Your Mark…
When Anne Sankey and the previous Aviva Board of Directors began creating the fund that made our
new building possible, they also had in mind that the fund would be used for “seed” money and to insure
stability of service. I want to emphasize that there are sufficient funds available to cover all the
costs of the new building. When Aviva purchased this building, we did not presume our friends would
make up for what we lacked.
However, what we could not anticipate was the extent of the economic downturn and the shortfall of state
funds that continue to call into question funding for programs designed to assist children in CPS. In the
last year, we have experienced significant cuts to both the volunteer and the visitation contracts—our
primary funding. Needless to say, our cash reserves take on even greater significance.
We are using the build-out of the new building to invite you to leave your mark—in whatever way your
heart may be inclined. Each room in the new building represents a “naming opportunity”—an opportunity to memorialize a loved one, to give tribute to someone alive or to proclaim your solidarity with children who are victims of abuse and neglect. We offer the following:
11 Offices
Life Book Center
$10,000 each
$15,000
Large Conference Room $15,000
Clothing Store
$10,000
Visitation Office
$15,000
Toddler Play Area
$15,000
Reception Area
Training Room
$10,000
$15,000
Small Conference Room
$10,000
Seven Visit Rooms
$10,000 each
Family Game Room
$15,000
Family Craft/Break Room $15,000
Should you, your family, or organization desire to sponsor one of these areas, we provide the option of
spreading payments over a multi-year period through a pledge. While the naming opportunities represent a significant financial commitment, we want to emphasize that there are many other opportunities
to personalize your gift. Any gift of $100 or more can be dedicated to a particular need within the building. For that reason, and because giving is a very personal activity, we are happy to work with you in
determining the best way to use your gift. You can email us: ([email protected] or
[email protected]).
Regardless of your level of participation, we can assure you that 100% of your gift will be used
for the building. It will also enable us to maintain the highest level of cash reserve possible in order to
supplement vital program funding if necessary. We hope that you will seriously consider our invitation by
responding as generously as your means allow.
Leaving Your Mark on this building will continue the life-giving work of Aviva for many years to come.
Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.
They seem not to notice us, hovering,
averting our eyes, and they seldom offer
thanks, but what we do for them is never
wasted.
Garrison Keillor
Find Out More About
Aviva’s Mission!
Our Executive Director, Bob Heslinga, is
always on the lookout for groups willing to
hear about the mission of Aviva. If your group
or club looking for a speaker, contact Bob at:
[email protected].
If you suspect a child is being abused,
abandoned or neglected, call the
Child Protective Services Hotline:
888-SOS-CHILD /888-767-2445
Page 10
Kids at Heart
UNDIES DRIVE 2010
In 2009, children in Child Protective Services received 1,250 packages or 7,490
pairs of underwear and socks. That looks like a lot, and it is! However, that was
enough for fewer than 800 children. While not every one of the more than 3,000 children in CPS in Tucson needs new underwear through Aviva, close to 1,100 would.
How can you help?
Undies Sundays/Fundays!
During the entire month of May, a drop off box can be placed in your building for
donations for children who are in the care of Child Protective Services. The children we help are
0-21 years old and wear size 0-XXL, and though all sizes and styles are very much appreciated,
listed below are the sizes and styles we run out of the fastest and that children tend to prefer.
!Infants: socks and diapers
!Toddlers: socks and undies (great for potty training children)
!Young children: 3-6 years, all types of socks and undies
Especially in need of these sizes and styles:
!Boys 8-18: Boxers-briefs are okay but the boxers and boxer briefs are in demand!
!Teenage/Young Women: Low-rise undies and ankle socks
!Teenage/Young Men: Boxers or boxer briefs and ankle socks
We are asking for new, packaged underwear and socks. We thank you in advance for helping
provide children with essential clothing items.
For more information or to arrange to have your church/business/club participate, contact us at
327-6779 Ext. 36 or email: [email protected].
Aviva Children’s Services
1735 E. Ft. Lowell Rd. Suite #4
Tucson AZ 85719
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Tucson, AZ
Permit No. 3341
1735 E. Ft. Lowell Road
Suite 4
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-327-6779
Fax: 520-327-6052
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.avivatucson.org
Kids at Heart is a
publication of Aviva
Children’s Services, a
non-profit, non-sectarian
organization.
If you have article
contributions or ideas for
our FALL 2010 issue,
please contact Bonnie at
327-6779 ext. 13.
All articles and photos by Aviva
staff unless otherwise noted.
Volunteer Editor:
Kim Beck
LETTER FROM BOB HESLINGA,
EXECUTIVE DIRECT
OR
DIRECTOR
Dear Friend of Aviva,
I hope you have taken the time to read the contents of this newsletter—it is filled with good
news! Aviva stands at the beginning of a new era. Not only do we finally have the place to do
our work for children, but we have the will to expand and enhance the work we do. Our new
home is unique in southern Arizona. It is the only building of its kind—specifically designed to
benefit children who are dealing with significant trauma. We also recognize the importance of supporting parents as they
heal and learn. Our Ongoing Parental Support program will fill a large void created by cuts in state funding.
Our invitation to you to leave your mark by financially supporting the build out is also an opportunity to express solidarity
with, and love for, the littlest, least and most vulnerable victims in our community.
We want to raise awareness in the community that abused and neglected children exist and need substantial support. We
turn to you, our friends and collaborators, to help us in this effort. Will you help us by arranging for us to speak to your
club, organization, church or business? We know that when people hear about the children, they are compelled to help!
We know that when awareness is raised, action follows. Through you, we have many hands and hearts in the community.
We trust in your goodness and look forward to hearing from you very soon!
Sincerely,
Bob Heslinga
Executive Director