Robinson Grad Continues to 'Create Smiles of Joy'

“One of my main goals in life is to try and help as many people as possible,” said Jessica Aviles, a 2011 graduate of .

Aviles, with the help of two friends, started Creating Smiles of Joy when she was a junior at Robinson.  The nonprofit gives homemade tote bags full of books, toys, calculators and school supplies to young people who really need them.

Aviles said the nonprofit will continue as she moves to college.  “We’re going to meet pretty soon and try to open branches at our schools,” she said. Aviles is studying at Virginia Tech, while her friends are attending the University of Virginia.

The three have given more than 300 bags to three different homeless shelters.  “A lot of the people are really shocked, they’re kind of surprised we would do this, but they’re always very thankful,” Aviles said. They young women are planning to expand their giving to hospitals.

Creating Smiles of Joy has earned Aviles recognition, respect and scholarships from the community.  She was honored this summer as .

Aviles immigrated to the U.S. from Bolivia as a five-year-old, and said her perspective has fueled her passion for service work.

"In third world countries you see a lot of poverty but you also see a lot of community," she said.  “Kids should start getting the idea that helping each other out is what really matters.”