history
Throughout our almost 100-year history, the agency now known as Aviva Family and Children’s Services has evolved to meet the needs of a growing and changing community. Our roots began in 1913 as the Ida Strauss Day Nursery, which arranged for the adoptions of WWI orphans and provided day care to children of working widows and mothers. In 1918, we became the Jewish Alliance, which added a small residential program and community center to the day nursery. In 1927, the agency became known as Hamburger Home in tribute to a major benefactor and for almost 40 years provided housing for young, working and single Jewish women. In the 1960’s the women’s residence evolved into a residential treatment program for sexually and physically abused adolescent girls of all races and religions. To reflect the commitment to a brighter future for its young clients, the agency changed its name to Aviva, the Hebrew word meaning rebirth or renewal.
Today, Aviva Family and Children’s Services’ many vital programs include the residential treatment center and special education high school for abused and neglected adolescent girls, along with enrichment programs for infants through sixth grade, foster care and adoption, and a variety of community mental health services for at-risk youth and their families.
For a more detailed history, click here to download Aviva’s History Timeline [PDF, 13K]
