A New Leaf Joins Heat Relief Effort
During the summer of 2025, A New Leaf joined forces with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health as part of the annual Heat Relief Network. With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, the network provided life-saving resources for thousands of Arizonans facing dangerous heat conditions.
Through this collaboration, residents were able to access an official Heat Relief Network Map, which highlighted cooling centers, hydration stations, respite centers, and water donation drop-off locations across the Valley. These sites became critical lifelines for community members experiencing homelessness or living without adequate shelter, offering both relief from the heat and access to essential supplies.
A New Leaf played a key role by operating three sites: MesaCAN in Mesa as a Cooling Center, the West Valley Housing Assistance Center in Surprise as a Hydration Station and Donation Site, and our Donation Center in Mesa as a Water Donation Drop-off. Each location served as a safe and reliable source of water and respite for those most vulnerable to the extreme summer heat.
Meeting Urgent Needs Together
The demand for resources in 2025 was overwhelming, with some high-demand sites across the county recording between 5,000–6,000 visits during peak heat weeks. Supply levels quickly ran low, and community donations of bottled water, funds, and time became essential in helping meet the need.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners, A New Leaf was able to distribute water, provide shelter from the heat, and ensure thousands of residents had a safe place to go during the hottest months. These efforts not only prevented illness but also saved lives in a summer marked by extreme and unrelenting heat.
From all of us at A New Leaf, we extend our gratitude to every supporter who contributed to our 2025 heat relief efforts. Together, we showed that by coming together as a community, we can protect our most vulnerable neighbors and make a life-saving difference.