vol 2, 2016

InsIde thIs Issue

2 BOARD MESSAGE 6 PLATINUM ASSOCIATE’S LUNCHEON 1O MILTON BROWN’S FAREWELL

3 YOGA4AVIVA/ALTERNATIVE HEALTH APPROACHES 8 DONOR RECOGNITION 11 WELCOME TO THE BOARD/

NEW SEWING ARTS CENTER

5 DIGITAL MEDIA LAB/ TEENS & STAFF WALK 9 IN-KIND GIFT DONORS/

IN-HONOR & IN-MEMORY BACK CHRISTMAS WISH LISTS

spaces for Living Thanks to the support of a $10,000 grant from Macy’s, Aviva’s implemented Spaces for Living at the Wallis Annenberg Residential Treatment Center. The Spaces for Living program was based on the recognition that color, light, special designs and texture have an impact on everyone’s emotional state.

Jessica Bianchi, Aviva’s lead art therapist and a teacher at UCLA’s Visual and Performing Arts Education Program, along with several UCLA undergraduate

ellen Pompeo and Philosophy Recognize Aviva At a Hope & Grace Initiative reception earlier this fall, Grey’s Anatomy’s star, Ellen Pompeo and Philosophy presented Aviva with a $10,000 donation on behalf of the beauty brand’s Hope and Grace Initiative. During the event, Pompeo spoke about Aviva’s dedication

to providing community mental health services and support to at-risk children and families.

“Aviva is very dear to my heart. It’s so important that we do anything we can to help our kids have some shot at a future,” Pompeo said.

In 2014, Philosophy established its Hope

continued on page 4continued on page 4

New living room creates a warm setting for residents to visit with family members.

Aviva President and CEO Regina Bette with Ellen Pompeo of Grey’s Anatomy.

AVIVA BELIEVESEVERY CHILD AND EVERY FAMILY

DESERVES THE CHANCE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

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boARd of dIRectoRs

Aviva is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency that believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at-risk children and families.

Aviva is accredited by: Council on Accreditation

Aviva is a member of: American Association of Children’s Residential Centers • Association of Community Human Services Agencies • California Alliance of Child and Family Services • Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles • United Way • Alliance for Strong Children and Families

Regina Bette, LMFTPresident and CEO

Genevieve Haines, Esq Board Chair

officers

Board Chair Genevieve Haines

President & CEO Regina Bette, LMFT

Vice Chairs Barbara Van Wormer

Treasurer Bruce Andelson

Secretary Laura Alpert

board of directorsDellen ArthurCarolyn BloomRobin Broidy Wrenn Chais Leslie Kavanaugh Lola Levoy Heidi Jo Markel Danette Meyers Susan Rothenberg Barbara Schroeder Candace Foy Smith

Cheryl M. Snow Jonathan M. Werner

council of guardians

Elliott Broidy Susan Casden Hon. Gray Davis Hon. Mike Feuer Hon. Wendy Greuel Nancy Josephson Hon. Paul Koretz Hon. Tom LaBonge

Barbara Lazaroff Lauren Leichtman Arthur Levine Linda May Richard Sherman Sharon Stone Carolyn Strauss Hon. Steve Westly Wendy Wolf Hon. Zev Yaroslavsky

AvIvA fAmILy And chILdRen’s seRvIces

7120 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046

tel: (323) 876-0550 fax: (323) 436-7042

Web: avivacenter.org

email: ask_us@avivacenter.org

@avivacenter on Twitter instagram.com/Avivacenterwww.facebook.com/avivacenter

Aviva connects the community, mind and bodyOn World Mental Health Day, we were reminded that one in five Americans lives with mental illness.

Unfortunately, we know stigma around mental health conditions can be so deep-seated that it’s often a deterrent to seeking help. Beyond that, treatment can be complex, drawing on a range of approaches–from therapy to physical wellness.

first, reduce the stigma Thanks to the generous support from the Public Relations Society of America/Los Angeles chapter and its Don Perkins Grant, Aviva launched a public education campaign to fight the mental health stigma within Los Angeles’s Latino community earlier this year.

Through Spanish–language radio interviews, television appearances and newspaper articles, Aviva therapists educated families about ways to support their children’s mental health, and provided a road-map for parents seeking help.

empowering the most vulnerable among us: Putting research into action When it comes to treatment, research has demonstrated again and again the mind/body connection, and the power of integrating physical wellness into mental health support.

At Aviva’s Wallis Annenberg Residential Treatment Center, innovative therapeutic approaches include our “Nourish to Flourish” healthy eating program, as well as yoga, dance and movement therapy activities. Aviva is now recognized as a national leader in offering “holistic wellness” alongside the therapeutic services, support and guidance we provide at-risk children and families.

family resource center This year, Aviva repurposed our former Aviva High School building into a Family Resource Center. It is not only home to Aviva’s Foster Family and Adoption Agency; it houses our new Digital Media Lab, Creative Arts and Sewing Center and Family Resource Closet. We will launch exciting volunteer opportunities in 2017 and welcome donations of new and gently used clothing and household items for our clients and families in need.

Together, we can have a tremendous impact in our community. We hope you will join Aviva as we continue to build brighter futures for our community.

The great thing in

this world is not so

much where we stand, as in what

direction we are moving.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Aviva showcases Alternative health ApproachesMore than 600 nonprofit leaders converged in Los Angeles in October, for the 2016 National Conference of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. Several conference attendees toured Aviva where they were introduced to alternative and expressive therapeutic modalities used to provide an individualized, strength-based and holistic approach to youth care and treatment.

Aviva therapists led participants in dance/movement therapy, to provide them with a “firsthand” experience of innovative therapies available to the youth!

The tour continued at Aviva’s new Family Resource Center, featuring our Digital Media Lab, Arts and Sewing Center and Family Resource Closet. Finally, participants were guided in a mindfulness and meditation exercise in Aviva’s Rajashree Choudhury Yoga Studio.

Promoting healthy futures

Aviva Family and Children’s Services and internationally acclaimed yoga instructor, Rajashree Choudhury, hosted Yoga4Aviva on Saturday, November 12 at Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles.

Chaired by Aviva Platinum Associates member, Greer Saunders, Yoga4Aviva provided a unique opportunity for community members to take a yoga class taught by Choudhury, while raising awareness about the mental health needs of at-risk youth.

Youth from Aviva’s Wallis Annenberg Residential Treatment Center were sponsored to participate through generous donations from the community as well as members of Aviva’s Board of Directors.

In Aviva’s own Rajashree Choudhury Yoga Studio, small groups of teens learn breathing and mindfulness exercises, as well as simple yoga poses and techniques, all designed to bring a sense of well-being, calm, and inner peace.

For several years, UpRising Yoga has provided its unique approach of Trauma-Informed Yoga at Aviva. These exercises equip our teens with skills to handle stress long after they have left Aviva.

Proceeds from Yoga4Aviva will help continue to fund these activities.

participants in dance/movement therapy, to

“firsthand” experience of innovative therapies

Promoting fPromoting fPromoting

uturesPromoting

uturesPromoting

Aviva Family and Children’s Services

upRising yoga at Aviva UpRising Yoga has partnered with Aviva to provide their unique brand of Trauma Informed Yoga Life Skills to the teens living at the Wallis Annenberg Residential Treatment Center. The mission of UpRising Yoga is to bring yoga to incarcerated youth and undeserved communities.

Rajashree Choudhury

See page 9 for a list of Yoga4Aviva Donors

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NEW Digital Media Lab

& Grace Initiative to help end the stigma and raise awareness of mental health and well-being issues. Aviva is grateful to receive this generous gift in support of our work.

students, met with the Aviva youth in an after-school art program once a week over ten weeks, to teach various artistic techniques. The residents, in turn, incorporated original designs and various imagery to create “Portraits of Resiliency.” The final artwork was exhibited at UCLA’s Broad Art Department over the summer, and is now on display at Aviva’s Residential Treatment Center.

Typically foster youth don’t have a choice in their environment and often arrive at Aviva with significant emotional and behavior issues. One unique initiative of Aviva’s Residential Treatment Program is to provide our youth with both a “voice and choice” in their treatment.

The teens worked with Aviva’s art therapist and an interior designer to select new colors for the living room (light blue and teal). In addition, Jenny Hoit, Aviva’s AVP Residential Programs, and a long-time friend, Paula Noah donated their time, talent and resources to paint a mural at the house.

New mural at the Wallis Annenberg Residential Treatment Center quoting the rock band, Aerosmith.

new Resource closet opensAviva recently opened a new Resource Closet at our Family Resource Center. This “closet” is stocked with new and gently used clothing for our clients. It is the ideal place to “shop” for interview or work-appropriate clothing for men and women. Children’s clothing is offered as well.

The Resource Closet is open to all clients, who can make arrangements to visit with their case managers or therapists. Clothing and household items are available to clients at no charge.

Pompeo and Philosophy – continued from front page

Spaces For Living – continued from front page

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NEW Digital Media Lab

state of the future: digital mediaAviva recently opened the doors to our new Digital Media Lab (DML), which was created through generous contributions and support from the Ahmanson Foundation, Aviva’s Platinum Associates, Betty Kharrazi (Interior Designer), Ophir Muller and friends at Benchmark Construction, Inc. and Ryan Barron and friends at Business IT Solutions, Inc.

In October, Aviva launched our first program in partnership with Young Producer’s Group (YPG), with a commitment to showing the youth of Los Angeles how to make electronic music and, in turn, the young people are showing the world how creative they can be when given the proper opportunities to flourish.

Jason Lesner, a long-time friend of Aviva organized a Committee to provide feedback on the direction of the DML. Committee Members include: Kays Alatrakchi, Lisa Bohacek, Zach T. Bohn, Kevin Glikmann, Jeff Gross, Cassandra Hein, Regina King, Cooper Ladnier, Ambika Leigh, Wathana Lim, Tom Moser, Ferdinand Onandia, and Jay Ruston.

Aviva teens and staff Walk to support mental health Aviva staff, teens, volunteers and friends turned out at Grand Park on October 1 to support NAMIWalks 2016. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “Through NAMIWalks public display of support for people with mental health challenges, we are changing how Americans view mental illness.”

Aviva is a proud supporter of NAMI, and of doing our part to destigmatize mental health issues and treatment for everyone in our Los Angeles community.

Jeff Jamerson, Aviva Vice President of Programs and Services, reflected, “The Digital Media Lab will enable clients to develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and information technology through the use of various software tools as well as develop new ways to express themselves creatively and discover new avenues for a brighter future. So far the youth in our Residential Treatment Center have used the Lab, but eventually, we will make it available to clients in our other programs.”

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Aviva’s Platinum Associates and their guests enjoyed the exquisite environment and gracious hospitality of Barbara Lazaroff, long-time Aviva Platinum Associates member and sponsor of the 2016 Platinum Associates luncheon at Spago Beverly Hills. After a delicious meal, guests were spellbound by this year’s keynote speaker, Aviva alumnus Christine Bradley, who presented her personal emotional journey out of Juvenile Hall to become a successful, confident woman.

After several years in and out of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Bradley came to Aviva at age 15 as an angry, neglected youth. While at Aviva, she learned the tools necessary to move beyond her trauma and become a successful singer and songwriter. Today, Bradley is the mother of four beautiful children and working toward a degree in child development.

“The lessons of my youth are painful, but in the end, I came out a winner,” Bradley said. “When you get up each morning, if you try to be a better person than you were yesterday…you’ll get there.”

Aviva’s Platinum Associates are a dynamic group of people who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. Since its inception in 2001, the

Annual Platinum Associates Luncheon

(l-r) Robin Broidy, Barbara Lazaroff, Cheryl Saban and Eva Aaronson.

Regina Bette presents host Barbara Lazaroff with original painting by an Aviva resident.

Guests enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Spago in Beverly Hills.

Former resident Christine Bradley with Platinum Associates member, Barbara Lazaroff.

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Annual Platinum Associates Luncheon

Platinum Associates have raised more than $1 million in support of Aviva’s programs and services.

The luncheon also featured Jason Lesner, founder of Youth in Action Film Collaboration, who spoke about the importance of volunteers and their impact on Aviva’s youth.

Additionally, Aviva hosted a silent auction made possible through the generous donations from XIV Karats LTD, the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo and Barbara Lazaroff.

Aviva extends a heart-felt thanks to Barbara Lazaroff, Jason Lesner and Christine Bradley, as well as event co-chairs Laura Alpert, Leslie Kavanaugh, and Susan Rothenberg, for the incredible afternoon that helped create a poignant understanding of the critical role Aviva plays in the Los Angeles community.

shop Amazonsmile and benefit AvivaAviva is on AmazonSmile! This is great news for anyone who shops on Amazon. Just select HAMBURGER HOME (Aviva’s corporate name) as your charity of choice, and Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchases to Aviva every time you shop. Just go to http://www.avivacenter.org/donate/ and click on the AmazonSmile icon and start shopping.

Aviva also posts our most requested items on our holiday wish list. You can shop online and send items directly to our Santa Workshop. We’ll match your gift with one of our children for you.

Thank you for your assistance in helping Aviva provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at-risk children and families in our Los Angeles community.

Eva AaronsonLaura AflaloLaura AlpertWallis AnnenbergNoelle ArmstrongJackie BanchikRobert BarthKathrine BaxterJill Black ZalbenJanis Black WarnerCarolyn BloomRobin BroidyJacqueline BurdorfSusan CasdenWrenn ChaisScott CorwinLois Feldman BloomSherri FogelmanDavid GeffenGenevieve HainesStephanie GoldsmithShirley HahnBucky HazanMarilyn KatzenbergLeslie KavanaughDebbi LandsbergerBarbara LazaroffDina Leeds

Avi LernerAndrea LurieHeidi Jo MarkelMonica McEnteeLisa MindlinMyra NourmandYifat OrenEllen PompeoSusan RothenbergCheryl SabanEllen SandlerCorrine SandsJeannine SeftonRobin ShephardLinda SmallCheryl SnowNancy Stephens- RosenthalEva SternNicole SwainRobin SwartzSusan TivoliRobin UngarHope WarschawObaida WattMary Ann WeisbergTonya Winfield

Current Platinum Members

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Aviva gratefully acknowledges its donors. These gifts make the work we do possible! Donations are from the period May 1, 2016 through October 31, 2016

ambassador’s circle $100,000 and uP

Weingart Foundation

leader’s circle $25,000 - $99,000

George Hoag Family Foundation

benefactors $10,000 - $24,999

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl Discretionary Funds

The Harold Edelstein Foundation

The Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Foundation

Viacom Inc.

Patrons $5,000 - $9,999

Laura and Harvey Alpert Comerica Bank Netflix Gang, Tyre, Ramer and Brown

Charity Fund Ruth/Allen Ziegler Foundation

Partners $1,000 - $4,999

Laura and Moshe Aflalo Jacqueline and Howard Banchik Kathrine and Frank Baxter Natalie and David Bergeson Janis Black Warner Bolton Foundation Robin and Elliott Broidy Jacqueline and Arthur Burdorf Susan and Alan Casden Wrenn and William Chais Ronald Bloom and

Lois Feldman Bloom Sherri and John Fogelman Genevieve Haines and

Fred Buescher Brian Goldsmith Shirley and Richard Hahn Bucky Hazan ICM Partners Leslie and Jack Kavanaugh Knesset B’nai B’rith Debbi and John Landsberger Barbara Lazaroff Dina and Fred Leeds

Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine Andrea and Steve Lurie Linda May and Jack Suzar Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Lisa and Bradley Mindlin Myra and Saeed Nourmand Yifat Oren Ellen Sandler Corrine and Leonard Sands Jeannine Sefton Robin Shephard Nancy Stephens Rosenthal Eva and Marc Stern Nicole Swain Robin Swartz The Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation Susan and Alan Tivoli Robin and Gary Ungar Hope Warschaw Obaida and James Scott Watt Mary Ann Weisberg and Bryce Perry Tonya and David Winfield

advocates $500 - $999

Regina Bette Carolyn and Martin Bloom Rick Smith

suPPorters $100 - $499

Annette Adam Jan and Bruce Andelson Michele and Arlen Andelson Dellene and Michael Arthur Guy Austin Tracy and Pete Bonano Gayle Botti Marc Bourbigot Marlies Chalabi Deana Dearborn The DRYC Pilates Group Michael Rosenfeld and Patricia Elias Andrea Goodman Grant Associates Health Net, Inc. Meredith Hightower Georgann Huber

Anna and Michael Hudson Suzanne Kahane Sandy Lieberman Leonard Lieberman Carolyn and Kit Lokey Heidi Jo Markel Norie and Gerald Martin Carole Meltzner Laura Miller Leslie Minniti Susan Mossanen-Gabbay Murchison and Cumming Jennifer Pepper Evelyn and Tom Polizzi Lucy Postolov Patricia Reinstein Linda and Mark Rosman Greer and Myles Saunders Clare Sebenius Abby Sher Barbara Schroeder and Richard Sherman Slayton Studio LLC Cheryl and David Snow Southern California Yachting Association Nina Spaccarelli-Despain Penelope Spheeris Carol and Jac Stulberg Tami Swartz David Shapendonk Ttee and Marla Rubin Ttee Truist Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Linda Tyrer Barbara Van Wormer Sandra Zaslaw

friends

Giovanna Alaimo Anonymous Heidi Aranson-Marchette Lavalle Ashley and Luisa Von Roos-Ashley Rebecca Carter Courtnay Caufield Katherine Choi Ellen Clark Coe Dynamics Lynda Curland Brette Derman Eric Elick

Sonny Felis Joan Ford Floran Fowkes Jesse Fox Janae Franklin Layna Friedman Abby and Ira Friedman Mary Funk Vivian Gall Aimee Golant Gabriel Harkov Marcia Hartwig Suzan Hauptman Jenny Hoit Diane Jenkins Jarrett Johnson Arlene Joye Gurudarshan Khalsa George Kiel Kamarak Koeut Gail Leino Susan Leslie Judith and Paul Lippe Eve Marcus Christine May David Meadows Judith Melnik Angela Miller NGA Hancock Park Nina Oberfeld Mary Oien Lindsay Parks Gayle and Lon Peterson Kim Peterson Jaime Piscione Tyson Weihe and Marian Power George Royce Kathryn Russell Edward Saltzberg Louise Sattler Rachel Schwartz Paul Selwyn Barbara Smith Oreet Smith Patsy Chamberlain and Jeane Starkey Target Noemi Watanabe Debbie Weiner Christine Zardeneta

donoR RecognItIon

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Adventure City Cheryl Alpert Regina Bette Beverly Wilshire Hotel Michael Bierman Birns & Sawyer, Inc. Catherine Bloom Supervisor Sheila Kuehl Discretionary Fund Shane Bruce Monique Cadillo Catering by Gath’s:

Gath’s Vending City Triangles Domino’s Pizza Genevieve Haines and

Fred Buescher Allison and Sophie Goldberger Gina Gonzalez Scallon Good Plus Foundation Lauren Greene Renee Greene

Health Net, Inc. Jimmy Choo Arlene Joye Linda Kahn-Ferrell Kelly and Max Kogan Chelsea Lawrence Marjie Mautner Jay Mosoff Newborns In Need NGA Hancock Park Operation School Bell Cathy and Barry Pearlman RTH Shop Kathleen and Jonathan Rulon Santa Monica Sewing

Arts Center Louise Sattler Robin Shephard SK Donuts and Crossant Bruna Soares St. Andrew’s Luthera Church Starbucks

Jamie Stone The Carving Board Melissa Tillman Kristen Turner Veronica Valera Vons Store #2066 Gabriela Waltman Western Bagel Wooden Nickel Lighting Inc. Gwen Yeager

Rashelle Zelaznek

in memory

michael Kogan Arlene Joye

Ken roberts Michele and Arlen Andelson Regina Bette

Carolyn and Martin Bloom Clare Sebenius and

Kevin Cohen Carol and Jac Stulberg

barney sherman Joe and Joyce Slayton

in Honor

diane gray Judith Paul Lippe

leslie and ryan Kavanaugh Linda May and Jack Suzar

greer saunders Joan Ford

elizabeth and dennis tito Robin and Elliott Broidy

steve Westly Robin and Elliott Broidy

erica Zohar Robin and Elliott Broidy

Residents at Aviva’s Wallis Annenberg Treatment Center are traveling in style these days. Thanks to the generous support of the George Hoag Family Foundation, Aviva recently purchased a new 2016 Honda Odyssey minivan.

new Wheels for Aviva

We generously thank the following donors for making Yoga4Aviva a grand success!

Ronnie AlcalayLois AlfordKristen and Robert AllisonAlo YogaLaura and Harvey AlpertGladys AngelesAnonymous AquaHydrateHeidi Aranson-MarchetteMaralee Jane BeckDebby BergRegina BetteRobin and Elliott BroidyBurnham BenefitsRebecca CarterDawn CastilloCourtnay CaufieldWrenn and Bill ChaisMarlies ChalabiKatherine ChoiLynda CurlandElvia CusimanoShelair DemeterDotty DiemerViviana DominguezPatricia Elias and

Michael RosenfeldYelena EntinJoan FordStephen ForehtFloran FowkesJamie FriedrichMary FunkGFuelAllison and Randall Gingold

Patty GonzalezAndrea GoodmanOlivia GutierrezGenevieve Haines and Fred BuescherBarbara HardestyHealth Net, Inc.Jenny HoitDiane JenkinsArlene JoyeSuzanne KahaneLeslie and Jack KavanaughGurudarshan KhalsaPolina KombergDebbi and John LandsbergerBenjamin LeedsGail LeinoLola LevoyTony LitmanKit and Carolyn LokeyVanessa ManciaHeidi Jo MarkelKassie MarrinerLinda and David MeadowsMelanie MeriansAngela MillerNatalie MoralesRonald and Donna NaschShelagh CallahanWalter NJBokeTerri NovakRobyn Field and Anthony O’CarrollJohn OhanesianMary Oien

Jania PalaciosFlorinda PendleyGayle and Lon PetersonKim PetersonJaime PiscioneEvelyn and Tom PolizziMarian Power and Tyson WeiheRaquel RamirezPatricia ReinsteinDana Reston-Lyons and

Robert LyonsKarla RodriguezJacqueline RomeroDeborah and Mark RoperMagaly RosaLee RosacciDenise RosnerKerstin and George Royce

Arnold RudnickKathryn RussellMyles and Greer SaundersMatthew SaundersRachel SchwartzJoan and Paul SelwynSebastian Serrell-WattsTeri SimpsonOreet SmithKarina SouquetteRobin SwartzDL SweetBettina Tendler OmaraLinda TyrerNoemi WatanabeJulie WeberDebbie Young

In-kInd donoRs

yogA4AvIvA donoRs

In memoRy & In honoR donoRs

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Farewell to Milton BrownThis November marks the end of an era at Aviva. Milton Brown, long-time director of Residential Services, is retiring this month after 16 years of service to Aviva’s youth. At 6-feet tall in his tailored suits, Milton creates an impressive and unforgettable presence as he walks through the halls singing songs, ever ready with a joke or endless strength and compassion.

He frequently says, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” This Theodore Roosevelt quote truly epitomizes Milton as a person, and his long career in child welfare.

“When I came to Aviva 15 years ago, I was unsure, but I can say without a doubt that from the board of directors at the top down to everyday employees; all of the people involved at Aviva are here for the right reason: to make a difference with at-risk-kids and their families,” he reflected.

Jenny Hoit, Assistant vice president, Residential Program, said, “Milton is the heart and soul of our residential program. He has limitless passion for helping kids and families. He has a magical way about him–he’s really able to see people, cheer them up and offer compassion and understanding.”

Regina Bette, Aviva president and CEO, commented, “Milton has led a life of service giving teenagers opportunities for brighter futures. He loves the tough challenges and nothing makes him happier or more proud than a youth who makes the decision to turn their life around. We are grateful for the hope and transformations that Milton has have brought to these children’s lives.”

Milton has been passionately dedicated to his staff, as well as the residents at Aviva’s Residential Treatment Center. Leola Thomas, residential counselor supervisor, who has worked for Brown during his entire tenure at Aviva said, “He always said to me ‘I just want you to do your best, be truthful with me, and I will have your back.’ He also says ‘I believe in putting families back together.’”

Amanda Smith, director of Mental Health Services, commented, “Mr. Brown’s ability to work with children and their families is nothing short of magic. He has a gift that I have never seen before. It has been an honor (and a lot of fun) to work with him over the years. I wish him much deserved relaxation and peace in his retirement. He will be truly missed!”

Aviva is forever grateful for all the ways Milton has supported and uplifted thousands of lives over the course of his time at Aviva. His presence will be missed by staff and teens alike.

“Mr. Brown’s ability to work with children and their families is nothing short of magic. He has

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Welcome to the Boardrobin rosenzweig broidy philanthropist, film producer and entertainment and business attorney, returns to Aviva’s Board of Directors. She has been a passionate supporter of Aviva and our clients for more than 16 years, having previously served as Board President and Board Member. Broidy also is a co-founder of the Platinum Associates, Aviva’s auxiliary group. Aviva is thrilled to welcome Broidy back to our Board of Directors and our Resource Development Committee.

cheryl m. snow is the newest member of Aviva’s Board of Directors. She is a partner with the 75-year-old law firm of Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc., where she specializes in the areas of entertainment and sports. She and her husband are the parents of two young children. Snow comes to Aviva’s board with a strong commitment to give back to the community and help others. She serves on Aviva’s Program Committee.

sewing mends the soul Anyone who spends time at a sewing machine will agree that “sewing mends the soul.” Through the generosity of Baby Lock, the Sewing Arts Center in Santa Monica and donations from individual sewing devotees, Aviva recently created a new and inviting Sewing Arts Center in our Family Resource Center.

For many years, Aviva staff and volunteers have offered the teens in the Wallis Annenberg Residential Treatment Center sewing activities. When Aviva volunteer and sewing enthusiast Sandy Lieberman saw a growing interest in sewing, she called on Russell Conte, owner of the Sewing Arts Center in Santa Monica to help create a new sewing environment. Through their passionate efforts, they were able to get

Baby Lock, a premier sewing machine manufacturer, to donate eight new machines.

Conte reflected, “The act of sewing can be a process of emotional repair. In the process of learning to sew, we hope these youth not only develop new ways to express themselves, but will learn a valuable trade and skill.”

Interested in volunteering? Please contact elizabeth Rulon at erulon@avivacenter.org or call 323.876.0550 ext 1107.

help make holiday Wishes come true for Aviva’s children and families

Non-Profit

Organization

US Postage

PAID

Los Angeles, CA

Permit # 36805

Aviva Family and Children’s Services Hamburger Home, Inc. 7120 Franklin Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046

It is that time of year when commercials, movies and television will be flashing images of happy families celebrating the holidays together in warm and loving surroundings.

If only this were true for all children.

Unfortunately, the reality is that too many children and their families cannot celebrate holidays for a variety of reasons. Some of the teens in our residential program do not have families–Aviva is their only family.

Many of the families we serve live below the poverty line so there is no money, not even for a simple toy from a discount store.

Each year we reach out to friends in the community to help us bring a moment of cheer into the lives of children and families.

Please consider:• Hosting a holiday gift and toy drive at

your home or office on behalf of Aviva• Adopting one of our children living in out

of home care (foster care and group home) • Adopting a family who will not have a

happy holiday season without our helpAviva will provide you with more information and personalized wish lists.

If you want to learn how you can help bring a smile to someone, contact elizabeth Rulon at 323-876-0550 x1107 or email her at erulon@avivacenter.org

Crunched for time? Visit Aviva’s holiday wish list at Amazon Smile (Amazon.com) and shop under Hamburger Home Inc. dba Aviva Family and Children’s Services. Items will be shipped directly to us, and you’ll receive your tax deductible letter in the mail–it couldn’t be easier!

Take a look at our Wish List to help you get started!

babies, children and teenstarget gift cards–most requested itemfood gift cards (food4Less and Ralphs)99 cent store gift cards Babies – Diaper bags and baby supplies, baby clothes, blankets, winter wear Toddlers – age appropriate toys, clothes, winter wear, walkers Teen boys – cologne, clothing, wallets, Teen girls – Makeup/lotions/body splashes – MAC, Victoria’s Secret, clothing, jewelry All teens – iPod Shuffles (only), Radios or alarm clock radios, iTunes gift cards

toys Boys – action figures, remote control cars, Legos Girls – dolls, Legos, arts & crafts, jewerly making kits All – board games, activity books, crayons markers, sports ballsRain coats, ponchos, umbrellas

familiestarget gift cards–most requested itemfood gift cards (food4Less, Ralphs, Jon’s market)99 cent store gift cardsBlankets, Electric blanketsSheets (twin, queen, and king), PillowsTowels (bath, washcloths, kitchen)MicrowavesElectric kettleDishware, Pots and pans, Utensils, Glasses and cupsSpace heaters (must have automatic shut off and

tip feature)Hygiene supplies (laundry supplies,

toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner)

Sleeping bagsInflatable mattresses with pump (many

families rotate sleeping on the floor)