Brenda Aviles works with young women in Columbia Heights to help them overcome difficult personal situations, which include violence, gangs, unstable family situations, domestic abuse and other significant challenges. Brenda has experienced and overcome major personal issues of her own and is as a result an empathetic listener, who provides guidance, and is looked up to by the young women.

Four years ago Brenda was on a destructive path, in a gang and out of school. She was the victim of domestic violence and substance abuse. Brenda, suffocating under the weight of her everyday life ran away from home and was gone for over 2 months.

When Brenda returned she joined the Girls Leadership Program in Columbia Heights. Slowly, with the support, Brenda began to focus on her future and worked to turn her life around. Today she is high school senior, with perfect attendance, excellent grades, patiently awaiting acceptance from a 4 year college or university. Above all else Brenda is a role model for the young women she mentors in Columbia Heights.

Brenda gives generously of her time, experiences, and understanding to help young people in the neighborhood. She is currently the Assistant Coordinator of the Girls Leadership Program. The young women in the program have been identified by their schools as gang involved or troubled, and are referred to for support and intervention. As Assistant Coordinator, Brenda spends hours talking to the young women about the risks of the gangs, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Brenda helps the young women cope with their circumstances through dance, drama, and creative writing and assists the coordinator of the program in developing workshops that teach the young women more constructive ways to resolve disputes and manage their anger. Brenda has a very positive energy. The young women in the Leadership Program feel comfortable with her because she is not only trustworthy but genuinely fun to be around. When questioned about Brenda's qualities the young women in the program use phrases like "a lot of fun", "always there", "just like us", and "someone you can trust". Brenda has also won the respect of her peers. As a former gang leader Brenda can be forceful and intimidating in a way that reinforces respect in the young women in the Leadership Program. Finally because Brenda's experiences mirror those of the young women in the program she mentors with an incredible amount of honesty and empathy.