October 2024 Newsletter

James is a proud father and was raised to believe that men should be strong, resilient providers for their family. When he became legally blind, he still worked full time and tried his best to ensure that his children got everything they needed to succeed. Eventually his eyesight deteriorated so much that he could no longer work, and he was placed on disability.

There were a lot of challenges in James’ life, but he never expected to find himself in a domestic violence situation. Tensions with the mother of his children had been rising as they struggled to make ends meet. Nights together would often result in arguments, and it was not a good environment for their newborn baby.

“After three months of pretty toxic arguments, it wasn’t good. Then she started getting physical with me in front of the kids and that just wasn’t acceptable. I don’t wanna talk about that much. But honestly I didn’t know what to do. At one point I called the police and they actually laughed at me.”

James didn’t fully recognize that he was experiencing abuse, but he did know that things couldn’t continue the way they were going. So he packed his things and decided to leave until he could figure out a better situation. Legally blind and with only small disability checks to get by, he spent a few nights on the streets homeless. It wasn’t ideal, but it felt safer than being at home.

During this time, James felt entirely alone and had to deal with the stigma of being a male survivor. He could barely admit to himself what was happening, let alone talk to his family or friends about it. James felt like no one in his life would be able to understand what he was going through.

“I never even heard of a man being a victim of domestic violence before. That wasn’t even something I would’ve thought about. But when I got here, to A New Leaf, I was finally able to process all that stuff.”

When James finally called the county domestic violence hotline, he was admitted to A New Leaf’s Autumn House Domestic Violence Shelter. Here, he was surprised to find himself in a caring and supportive environment that made him feel welcomed. James was able to work on restoring his sense of dignity and safety.

After a few months of counseling and support, James was on the path to recovery. He had secured an apartment of his own, and was finally starting to feel in control of his life again.

“I could finally breathe – like it was over. Then I was able to start focusing on the important stuff I needed to do, and the staff was really helpful. They helped me get a job, find an apartment, and just helped me turn my life around.”

“This place was a gift, it really showed me that life doesn’t stop just because things get tough. You gotta keep going and advocate for yourself. Even if it rains, the sun’s gotta come out one day. You just have to be strong and keep moving,”

A New Leaf is actively seeking dedicated volunteers to fill a variety of roles spanning across multiple locations in the Valley. We are looking for amazing community members like you who are committed to making a difference in the lives of thousands of families each year. By joining our volunteer team, you can contribute to the vital services that provide help and hope to those in need.

A New Leaf is immensely grateful to State Farm and their incredible team for their generous donation of 3,500 snack bags to A New Leaf’s shelter programs! State Farm employees dedicated their time to assemble these thoughtful packages, which included a kind note card in each bag, bringing a personal touch to their gift.

These snack bags are amazing gifts for the families we serve, especially the children who often need a quick, nutritious snack during the day. Thanks to State Farm’s efforts, parents can rest a little easier knowing their children have something to eat.

This kind of community support is invaluable and highlights the power of collective effort in making a real difference. We are deeply grateful to State Farm for their partnership and commitment to helping those in need.

You can help those experiencing homelessness this year. Our donation center is still looking for: 

October 10, 2024, marks a momentous occasion: the very first National Give from Your DAF Day. As a donor with a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), you have the unique opportunity to be part of this historic event and make a significant impact on the causes you care about.

A DAF is a charitable giving vehicle that allows you to make tax-deductible contributions and invest the funds for growth. You then recommend grants to charities of your choice, providing you with flexibility and control over your giving.

• Strategic Grantmaking: This special day is an excellent opportunity to strategically allocate your DAF funds and support the causes that are most meaningful to you. 

 

• Be Part of History: As the inaugural National Give from Your DAF Day, your participation will help set the stage for this important annual event. 

 

• Amplify Your Impact: By joining a community of generous donors, you can collectively make a powerful difference.

 

• Inspire Others: Your generosity can encourage others to establish their own DAFs and make a difference in their communities.

Here is how you can give:

1. Visit A New Leaf’s Tax Smart Giving Page 
2. Click on Donor Advised Funds to learn more. 
3. Make a grant recommendation from your DAF on our site. 
4. Feel great about making the world a better place.

By participating in the inaugural National Give from Your DAF Day on October 10, 2024, you have the power to make a lasting difference and help shape the future of charitable giving. Your generosity can inspire others, address critical needs, and create a better world for all.

The Arizona Cardinals are not only a source of pride on the field but also a force for good off the field, making significant impacts throughout the community. For nearly 35 years, Cardinals Charities has been dedicated to improving opportunities for children, women, and marginalized communities across Arizona.

This year, Cardinals Charities has generously contributed nearly $250,000 to A New Leaf’s programs through grants, in-kind donations including tickets and memorabilia, sponsorships, and more. Their commitment extends deeply into our efforts, offering support to over 2,700 individuals annually through A New Leaf’s domestic violence programs. These grants help all three emergency domestic violence shelters, as well as court advocacy, sexual violence support and advocacy, therapeutic services, and so much more.

In addition to the amazing grants, the Cardinals are set to host a health and wellness event at the La Mesita Community coming later this month! This exciting event promises to be a fun day for families, featuring educational health and medical information, sports activities for kids, appearances by Big Red and the Cardinals cheerleaders, food trucks, and plenty of games.

We are incredibly grateful for the Arizona Cardinals’ enduring partnership and their continued kindness. Their generosity continues to help A New Leaf’s mission of supporting, and empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Vice President of Philanthropy, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.

A New Leaf just broke ground at East Valley Men’s Center! On October 1st, A New Leaf held a groundbreaking ceremony for 30 new housing units for men experiencing homelessness. This expansion marks a pivotal step forward in our mission to provide safe shelter, meals, and stability for thousands of people experiencing homelessness every single year.

The addition of these new housing units is designed to provide a foundation for stability, recovery, and new beginnings. Each unit will serve as a safe place, where residents can find the resources needed to rebuild their lives and step confidently towards self-sufficiency and independence.

We are immensely grateful for the presence of our local council members, community leaders, and board members who joined us at this landmark event. Your continued support and commitment play a crucial role in making such initiatives possible, driving positive change and offering hope to those in need.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported this groundbreaking ceremony. I can’t wait to share even more updates about this project with you in the future.