Life Book Writer
Contact:   Troy Kimball                    Phone No.:   520-327-6779 Ext. 11

Email:  troy.kimball@avivatucson.org

A Life Book is the story of a foster or soon-to-be adopted child's life. With access to case files and through independent research, Life Book Volunteers chronicle each child's unique life experience, including their journey through abuse and foster care.

Using words and pictures to create this album, Life Book Volunteers are able to help the child understand how and why they came to be placed in the foster care system, the steps the parents took to get the child back, and how agencies, foster parents and other caregivers worked to keep the child safe.

For many children growing up in the foster care system, the Life Book is the only record they will ever have of their childhood. Course credit may be earned through the University of Arizona or Pima Community College. Some daytime availability is required along with a four month commitment. A vehicle is required and mileage is reimbursed.

Mentor/Tutor
A Mentor/Tutor provides attention and friendship to an individual child or young adult. Volunteers help to develop the child's self-esteem and social skills by providing companionship and modeling positive behavior. They may also encourage a child's or young adult's educational progress and goals or teach basic skills they might have missed. Most volunteers make a one year commitment and work an average of 3 hours per week. A vehicle is preferred and mileage is reimbursed.

"In My Shoes" Mentor Program
Aviva Children's Services is currently collaborating on a new mentoring project called "In My Shoes." Funded with a generous grant from VisionMark™, Aviva is working with Casey Family Services, The Department of Economic Security, Big Brothers, Big Sisters. The goal is to recruit former foster children to match with youth who are facing the tremendous challenge of transitioning out of the foster care system. Please contact us if you are a former foster child or know of a former foster child who might be interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or if you know of a foster child who is either 17 or turning 17 who would like a mentor.

Interested? For an application please email Troy Kimball at the email listed above.

Social Worker Assistant

Contact: Bonnie Demorotski                         Phone No.:  520-327-6779 Ext. 13

Email:  bonnie.demorotski@avivatucson.org

A Social Worker Assistant is placed with a Child Protective Services Caseworker. Volunteers may be asked to make home visits, assess client needs, schedule appointments, research social services, research case records, write reports, attend staffings and court hearings, interview foster parents and children, supervise visits and transport children. Course credit may be earned through the University of Arizona or Pima Community College. Daytime availability is required along with a four month commitment. Volunteers work an average of 8-10 hours per week. A vehicle is preferred and mileage is reimbursed.

Child History Investigator

With access to case records, Volunteers collect information missing from the child's case file. This information might include details about birth parents and members of the birth parents' family or a health and genetic history of the child. If the information is not located in the case file, the Volunteer contacts family members, foster parents, etc. by phone or mail to request needed information. Daytime availability is required as well as a minimum 4-month commitment. Most volunteers average 3 hours per week. A vehicle is required and mileage is reimbursed.

Office Assistant

Volunteers perform general clerical tasks such as filing, photocopying, answering the phone, etc. Volunteers may schedule themselves on an on-call or regular basis.

In-Kind Donations Volunteer

Volunteer duties include sorting incoming donations of primarily children's clothing, toys and baby equipment. Daytime availability is required. Volunteers may be scheduled on an on-call or regular basis.

Visit Supervisor Assistant
Assist a parent-child Visitation Supervisor with a large family and/or help transport the children to/from the visit.

Interested? For an application please email Bonnie Demorotski at the email listed above.

Bags for Kids
Contact: Marnie Pollard                               Phone No.:  520-327-6779 Ext. 16

Email:  marnie.pollard@avivatucson.org

The Bags for Kids program is a collaborative project of the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, Child Protective Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, and Aviva Children's Services.

When children are taken into protective care by the state, they often have to leave their home with all of their possessions in a plastic garbage bag. This "luggage" further distresses an already traumatized child. A simple, colorful duffel bag with a drawstring is easy to make with our super-simple pattern and instructions.

Volunteers can sew bags, either at home or as part of group, and/or provide the necessary supplies to make the duffel bags. Every January, during our Annual Sew-a-Thon event, participants make over several hundred bags during this special marathon session.

If you are interested in any of the above, please click on the person's name whom you would like to contact.