June 2024 Newsletter
A New Leaf
Dedicated to helping end homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and other community challenges in Arizona.
As we enter the month of June, I want to share with you a story of resilience and hope. In this newsletter, we spotlight Robert, a veteran who’s life was turned upside down in just a matter of days. He lost his job, and was quickly left homeless. The support of people like you gave Robert food, shelter, and a path towards stability.
Robert served our country with honor, but like many veterans, found the transition back to civilian life difficult. After losing his civilian job, Robert was quickly homelessness. This story is all too common, as thousands of veterans find themselves without a place to call home once they return from service.
With your generosity, Robert found hope at A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s center. Not only did he find a safe place to stay, but he also received the support and resources necessary to rebuild his life. Robert was able to secure a stable job, and start on his path towards stability. He has since moved to another shelter, and is currently looking to get a place to truly call home.
Your kindness plays a vital role in providing veterans experiencing homelessness with the resources they need to not just survive, but thrive. As you read more about Robert’s journey in our blog, I hope you feel inspired by the difference your support makes in the lives of individuals like him. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every word of encouragement contributes to making someone’s life better.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Joe Dulin
Chief Philanthropy Officer
A New Leaf
June 2024 Impact News: Your Donation Gave Robert a Second Chance!
Robert is a strong, proud veteran. He doesn’t like asking for help. Having served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1990, he believes in providing for himself and getting by as best as he can. But when he came face to face with homelessness, Robert knew that he was going to need more help than he wanted to admit.
“I work with my hands mostly, and I don’t make a ton of money – but I’ve always been able to pay my bills. When rent started going up, I got a roommate. But when I was getting ready to renew my lease he wanted to leave and I signed it by myself. But a few months later I still couldn’t find someone to fill the room. It’s embarrassing, but I ended up falling behind on my rent and came home to an eviction notice one day.”
When the eviction date came, Robert packed everything he could into his car and ended up sleeping in a Walmart parking lot. He couldn’t shower, cook, or wash his clothes. For several weeks he kept up with this routine, but eventually lost his job due to the challenges of living in his car. Without paying work, Robert felt like he had no way out of a very dire situation.
“I realized I needed to swallow my pride a little bit and commit to fixing the problem. I called up A New Leaf because I had heard about the East Valley Men’s Center online. It seemed a little safer than most shelters and it had a good reputation for veterans, so I figured I would give it a shot. That ended up being a really good choice.”
Robert got a bed at the East Valley Men’s Center and stayed for several months. He found a job installing commercial internet and started saving every paycheck. For the first time in over a year, things seemed to be moving in the right direction for Robert.
“It felt good to be working again, I even had my own truck. But it took a lot to pay off all the fees from the eviction and other bills. I had dug myself into a bit of a hole, so when it came time to move into a new place, I took it slow."
“I went into A New Leaf’s Mesa Bridge program which would give me 12 months of reduced cost housing to help me really get on my feet for good. It’s been a great place to work on myself, and I gotta be honest – I have a lot of hope for the future now. I am so thankful.”
June 2024 Volunteer News: Going the Extra Mile at EVMC!
At A New Leaf, we are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of our amazing volunteers. This month, we want to highlight Keller Williams and Extra Mile Painting Company for their exceptional commitment and hard work in renovating the main living space at the East Valley Men’s Center (EVMC).
The importance of a clean, inviting living space cannot be overstated for those staying at any homeless shelter. It is essential for providing a sense of stability, dignity, and peace. Thanks to your dedication, EVMC boasts a warm and welcoming environment, allowing the men to feel comfortable and safe as they focus on moving towards stability.
The thoughtful touches in the renovation reflect the care and commitment Keller Williams and Extra Mile Painting put into this project. Your actions exemplify a profound commitment to giving back and uplifting the community.
We cannot thank you enough for your generosity, compassion, and unwavering support. Your contribution has brought comfort and joy to many, and it is people like you who reinforce the strength of our mission at A New Leaf. For those interested in seeing the impact of this wonderful transformation, we invite you to watch this short video showcasing Keller Williams and Extra Mile Painting’s incredible renovation efforts.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in joining A New Leaf’s wonderful volunteer group, you can get involved today! A New Leaf is looking for Shelter Support Volunteers at four locations: East Valley Men’s Center (EVMC), West Valley Housing Assistance Center (WVHAC), Faith House (FH), and the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA). As a Shelter Support Volunteer, you will play a vital role in helping those who seek shelter, food, and support. Your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of so many families.
Here are some of the important tasks you’ll be involved in:
By volunteering, you’ll not only help those in need but also gain valuable skills and connect with other volunteers like you. Importantly, A New Leaf will provide you with the training and skills needed to serve those most in need in your community.
Your commitment as a volunteer at A New Leaf will make a lasting impact. Your service ensures that shelter, food, and hope are given to those who need it most. Please submit an application through our website or email us at Volunteer@turnanewleaf.org.
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June 2024 Donation Center News: A Cup For All!
A New Leaf wants to say thank you to Stardust for their generous donation of over 1,100 Stanley Cups! These high-quality cups will be distributed across all of our 40 programs, benefiting countless clients who rely on our services every single day.
Gifts like this play a crucial role in our efforts to provide support in as many ways as possible. Items like water cups may seem simple, but they do more than just meet basic needs. For those we serve, a new, high quality item can be significant. While it is easy to take household items for granted, it could be vital to someone else, even if it’s just a reusable water bottle.
These cups will be used daily by our clients, serving as a constant reminder of the generosity and community spirit of people like you. Thank you, Stardust, for your kindness and for choosing to support thousands of people in the community. Your donation helps us ensure that every person in need feels valued and supported.
You can help those experiencing homelessness this year, just like Stardust. Our donation center is still looking for:
These donations can make any new place feel like a home. Those transitioning out of homelessness can focus on getting back on their feet without having to worry about basic necessities. Basic household items can be taken for granted, but you can change the lives of thousands of families and individuals with just one donation.
For your convenience, our donation center (2245 W. Ella Street, Building A Mesa, AZ 85201) is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm, and on Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to call us at (480) 464-4648 or email us at donationcenter@turnanewleaf.org.
June 2024 Donor News: Special Donation Match Opportunities!
You may be able to double your generous donation through your company’s donation matching program. If you work for any of the following, please read on!
Corporate donation match programs are a win-win for employees and nonprofits alike. These programs essentially double the impact of charitable contributions made by employees, as companies match donations to eligible nonprofits, often dollar-for-dollar.
By participating in your company’s matching programs, you can make your charitable dollars work harder and organizations like A New Leaf can benefit from additional funding without extra effort. It’s a simple process: after you donate you can submit the matching gift request to your employer, and the company will take care of the rest, sending an equivalent donation to the same nonprofit.
A matched giving program is a powerful way to support the community and causes that matter, leveraging corporate resources for social good. If you’re looking to maximize your charitable impact, check with your HR department to see if your company offers a donation match program.
For more information about giving from assets, year-end deadlines, and other charitable strategies, please contact Suzanne Percy, Charitable Giving Advisor, at (480) 708-1358 or email spercy@turnanewleaf.org.
June 2024 Community Partner News: The Garcia Family Foundation is Closing the Gap!
A New Leaf wants to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Garcia Family Foundation, an amazing organization that addresses key issues in our community. Based in Arizona, the Garcia Family Foundation is dedicated to ending homelessness and closing educational and economic gaps.
The Foundation provides support for education for high-achieving, economically disadvantaged students, including scholarships and programs. Their strategic focus also includes substantial contributions toward creating sustainable solutions to homelessness and engaging the community in these efforts.
With the help of the Garcia Family Foundation, A New Leaf is expanding our homelessness prevention services to help people overcome short-term financial hurdles that could lead to homelessness. This includes providing emergency financial assistance to households facing temporary crises—such as job loss, medical bills, or unexpected expenses—to help them cover rental costs and prevent eviction. Assistance also extends to helping with other essential costs that impact housing stability, such as basic needs, transportation, car repairs, childcare, and costs associated with securing and maintaining employment.
The Garcia Family Foundation’s support is a vital resource that helps people across the Valley find a path toward long-term stability. Meeting the immediate housing and financial needs of families and individuals has far-reaching impacts, and we are grateful for the Foundation’s partnership that will have a positive effect for years to come.
For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Vice President of Philanthropy, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.
June 2024 Event News: With One Voice Breakfast Announced!
A New Leaf is excited to announce the annual “With One Voice” event, a breakfast dedicated to raising awareness and supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This special event will be held on October 23rd, from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM at The Farm at South Mountain.
“With One Voice” is a crucial event for all survivors throughout the Valley. By coming together, we amplify the voices of survivors, share their stories of resilience, and work collectively to support survivors in any way possible. Your participation means joining a community committed to making a difference, offering hope and much-needed support to those who have endured these profound challenges.
The morning will be filled with speakers, survivor testimonials, and opportunities to learn how you can help your neighbors in need. Whether you are a long-time supporter or new to With One Voice, your attendance significantly impacts A New Leaf’s efforts to provide resources, support, and advocacy for survivors.
I invite you to stand with A New Leaf to support, empower, and uplift survivors across our community. We look forward to seeing you at The Farm at South Mountain for this impactful event. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those affected by domestic and sexual violence.
For any questions or assistance please reach out to me, mschnepf@turnanewleaf.org!