In June of this year, several of the young women at Aviva, got the opportunity to be involved in a photo shoot called "In Her Shoes," with Amy Friedman. The shoot was held at Fred Segal on Melrose, where the Aviva girls were able to be models in a professional photo shoot. As the name of the photo shoot suggestions, the focus was on the girls' shoes, and each girl wrote a little something about their life; some wrote about the struggles that had to be overcome, others choose to focus on the future and the potential they have.
In October, the young women will have the opportunity to see their photos in an exhibit at a local gallery titled "A Day In My Shoes."
For more information, please visit Amy Friedman's web site
residential services
Wallis Annenberg Center – offering a second chance
When a teenage girl arrives at the door of Aviva’s Wallis Annenberg Center, it is often her last chance to heal and turn her life around. Aviva is all that stands between a life that may include institutionalization, welfare and homelessness…and a hopeful future.
The majority of the girls have suffered horrendous physical abuse, sexual abuse and/or abandonment. Due to an unstable home life, exposure to violence, and days filled with apathy or chaos, many of these girls are placed in a series of foster or group homes, which fail to meet their needs. When they arrive at Aviva, most are depressed, angry and feel hopeless. Many have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide.
Thirty-six adolescent girls who reside full-time at Aviva for a period of six-to-18 months receive a unique 24-hour psychotherapeutic, safe environment. Our treatment model gives the girls a structured program that addresses their social, behavioral and educational problems throughout the entire day. Every day events and interactions are therapeutically designed for the purpose of enhancing social skills and building confidence. Thus, residents are continuously supported, learn problem solving and coping skills and have the opportunity to experience positive relationships with peers, adults and authority figures.
