April 2024 Newsletter

CONTENT WARNING: Topics in this blog concern domestic violence.

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to stand with survivors on their journey of healing. At A New Leaf, we recognize the deep impact sexual and domestic violence has on families and individuals in the community. By actively participating in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, you can create meaningful and lasting change by supporting survivors across the Valley.

One of these survivors is Kirsten, a loving mother of 4. Kirsten and her husband had a great relationship, but as her children got older, Kirsten’s husband became unexpectedly violent. She knew she had to do something, which is when she found A New Leaf’s Faith House shelter.

Within a week Kirsten found a new full-time job, started to pay off her debt, and began her journey towards independence for herself and her children. Thanks to you, Kirsten is now living with her children in a new apartment. She is able to comfortably take care of her children, pay rent, and heal at her own pace.

Every story of recovery starts with a helping hand. Your contributions enable A New Leaf to continue this work, ensuring that no one has to face the aftermath of sexual or domestic violence alone. You make a world of difference for all survivors.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your selflessness, and your commitment to helping those in need creates an impact on thousands of lives. In this month’s blog, you can learn even more about how to make a lasting change for your neighbors in need.

Sincerely,

Staff Signatures 1

Joe Dulin

Chief Philanthropy Officer

A New Leaf

Click Below to See Exciting News!

YOUR GENEROSITY SAVED KIRSTEN'S FAMILY

VOLUNTEER UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES

DONATION CENTER UPDATES AND URGENT NEEDS

LEARN ABOUT NEW WAYS TO GIVE

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BRAND NEW AT&T CONNECTED LEARNING CENTER GRAND OPENING

EVENT NEWS: "A NIGHT IN POSITANO" WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND UPDATES

DONATION CENTER UPDATES AND URGENT NEEDS

YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT NEW WAYS TO GIVE

BRAND NEW AT&T CONNECTED LEARNING CENTER GRAND OPENING

"A NIGHT IN POSITANO" WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

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April 2024 Impact News: Your Donation kept Kirsten’s family together!

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Kirsten, a loving mother and veteran, found a new shelter for her family. Thanks to you, she was able to leave a domestic violence situation, and provide a better future for her daughter.

Kirsten is a proud veteran. After completing 2 tours, she decided that she wanted to settle down and start a family.

After getting married, Kirsten started her family and had 4 young children. While her husband was great at first, he began to change as their children got older, his patience got thinner and he was prone to yelling. While Kirsten didn’t like the idea of yelling as a parent, she thought they could work through the issues.

The first night Kirsten’s husband hit their oldest daughter, she took all four kids and went to stay with her parents. She was shocked that the father of her children would do such a thing. But after a few days had gone by, she decided to make it work with him.

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When Kirsten came home, everything was different. Her husband threatened that if she ever left again he would hurt her and the children. He kept a tracker on her phone, never let her be alone with the kids, and was verbally and physically abusive. For a few weeks the shock, embarrassment, and fear kept Kirsten trapped.

After a month Kirsten knew it needed to end and set plans to leave. She called A New Leaf’s Domestic Violence Hotline and scheduled an intake so that she could stay in shelter with her children. When her husband was away for the night on a work trip, Kirsten packed everything she could fit in her car and left with her four children.

Hours later she entered A New Leaf’s Faith House Domestic Violence Shelter and met with a personal advocate. Together, Kirsten and her advocate enrolled her oldest daughter in school and got childcare for her 3 younger children. Within a week Kirsten found a job as a certified caregiver that would provide enough money for her to achieve independence.

After working with her advocate on finding affordable housing, Kirsten found subsidized housing for veterans that would help her afford rent. She is now able to provide for her children, keep a stable home, and will never have to worry about the safety of her children again.

Contributed by:

Tanner Swanson

Communications Manager

A New Leaf

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April 2024 Volunteer News:

A New Leaf’s Intern Mixer!

This past week, A New Leaf’s amazing interns were able to meet and network over delicious bagels and coffee. It was a great opportunity for interns from all of A New Leaf’s programs to come together, connect, and share their experiences. The mixer included a lively “speed dating” style game, allowing interns, employees, and board members to exchange stories about their daily lives and work at A New Leaf.

A New Leaf’s CEO, Michael Hughes attended the event, and gave an amazing speech about just how much interns mean to A New Leaf. He highlighted the indispensable role interns play within the organization, noting how their hard work and dedication contribute to changing thousands of lives every year. Michael’s words reminded us that A New Leaf’s success and ability to make a difference hinge significantly on the contributions of our interns. Their passion, energy, and commitment are at the heart of A New Leaf’s mission to ensure everyone has a place to call home.

Thank you to each and every intern for their incredible work and dedication. Your unique talents and perspectives not only enhance our programs but also profoundly impact the lives of those we serve. You are an essential part of the A New Leaf family, actively creating positive change in the community every single day.

Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and they’re appreciated far more than words can express. You are truly making a difference, and A New Leaf is profoundly thankful for each and every one of you.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in helping your local community, 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:

Helping with food donation pick-ups and meal preparations.

Sorting and organizing donations, including food, clothes, and toys.

Providing directions and essential information to shelter visitors.

Assisting with event preparations and clean-ups.

Keeping our facilities clean, sanitized, and organized.

Completing assigned tasks from the shift list, based on location.

Providing valuable support to our administrative team by assisting with tasks like copying, scanning, answering phones, and greeting visitors.

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.

become a volunteer

Contributed by:

Raven Jordan Yosick

Volunteer Program Supervisor

A New Leaf

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April 2024 Donation Center News: Crafty Ladies Give Crafty Gifts!

A New Leaf invites you to make a direct impact in your local community by making a donation of items. Your gifts will help those facing homelessness, domestic violence, and other crisis situations.

A New Leaf wants to thank the Crafty Ladies at the Resort, a group of incredibly generous and talented women who make a significant impact on their community. Through their efforts in creating beautiful quilts and hosting bake sales, they’ve raised over $7,500 to support those experiencing homelessness. The Crafty Ladies truly exemplify the spirit of community and compassion, lighting up our world with their generosity and care.

These amazing ladies have also donated hundreds of household items to our donation center. They have given hundreds of quilts, pillows, and socks in support of those experiencing homelessness. These handcrafted items carry a personal touch that resonates deeply with the community, making them feel valued and supported.

The Crafty Ladies’ generosity impacts the lives of homeless families and individuals throughout the Valley. Their commitment to giving has been a source of inspiration and has made a tangible difference in the lives of many. The efforts of the Crafty Ladies are showing how creativity and compassion can come together to uplift and assist those in need.

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

Twin size bed sheets

Men’s shaving cream

Men’s disposable razors

Large and Extra-Large disposable gloves

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.

see more details on donating

Contributed by:

Joe Dulin

Alyssa Turley

Philanthropy Coordinator

A New Leaf

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April 2024 Donor News: A New Leaf’s Professional Advisors Council

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To fulfill the mission of helping families, changing lives, A New Leaf relies on the dedication and support of volunteers – from our Board of Directors to meal providers at our shelters, and everywhere in between. One group of volunteers that profoundly impacts the community is A New Leaf’s Professional Advisors Council.

The Professional Advisors Council consists of allied professionals from the financial, tax, and estate planning sectors, and every one of them is here to help you. Council members voluntarily offer expertise and support to YOU.

To provide education, A New Leaf’s advisors are going to provide a wide array of educational content on diverse topics involving ways to give. While they may not take the place of working with your own personal advisor, this content is an amazing opportunity to start the learning process of giving in ways that may not be familiar to you.

In the coming months, look for articles authored by these incredible volunteers. If you have any questions about these new articles, we encourage you to contact your personal advisor, or a member of A New Leaf staff.

A New Leaf’s current Professional Advisors are:

Carina E. Burtell, AAMS®, CEPA®, Edward Jones

Alan R. Davidson, CCIM, Arizona School of Real Estate and Business

Lisa Groves, JD, Valley of the Sun United Way

Darlene D. Hagan, CPA, Hagan Consulting Services, PLLC

Tiffany T. House, CAP ®, CEPA®, FCEP, Tax, Estate & Charitable Strategist

James R. Lukes, Philanthropy/Trusts & Wealth Management

Larry Lytle, CFP®, CAP®, CEPA®, Wiser Advisor

Darren L. Richardson, JD, Eastman Estate Planning, PLLC

Todd W. Skinner, CPA, Skinner Clouse Group

Trevor S. Whiting, JD, LLM, MBA, Dana Whiting Law

A New Leaf is grateful for their service, dedication, and partnership in support of serving families and individuals in crisis.

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.

Contributed by:

Suzanne Percy

Charitable Giving Advisor

A New Leaf

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April 2024 Community Partner News: AT&T Connected Learning Center Grand Opening!

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There is a brand new learning center at Mesa Community Action Network! AT&T has been giving to A New Leaf over the years through in-kind support, volunteer efforts, and financial contributions totaling over $100,000. The partnership reached a new high with the grand opening celebration of the Learning Center on Friday, March 22, an event attended by A New Leaf leadership and staff, AT&T representatives, city officials, and members of our community

AT&T and A New Leaf are dedicated to closing the gap between those who have access to digital technology and those who do not. The Connected Learning Center is part of a nationwide initiative to establish Connected Learning Centers in 30 cities across the country. The creation of more learning centers is vital towards ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation, has access to education and digital technology.

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With free access to computers and high speed internet, clients are equipped to use technology for the better. Whether it’s kids doing their homework, adults preparing resumes and job applications, or anyone looking to build their digital skills, the Learning Center offers resources and support to help them succeed. MesaCAN staff are always on hand to provide guidance and learning support to all visitors.

In 2023 alone, AT&T began expanding its fiber and wireless network, donated 500 laptop computers to households in our community, and conducted 33 digital literacy workshops throughout Arizona. We are incredibly grateful to AT&T for their ongoing support and for helping to bring this amazing resource to MesaCAN. The AT&T Connected Learning Center is a place where education, opportunity, and community meet, offering a bright future for all.

A New Leaf wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to AT&T for giving so many people access to the digital world! For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Director of Community Engagement, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.

Contributed by:

Laura Bode

Director of Community Engagement

A New Leaf

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April 2024 Event News: Thank You For Attending “A Night in Positano!”

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A photo from A New Leaf’s 2024 Camaraderie Gala.

I wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual camaraderie gala, “A Night in Positano”! This extraordinary evening was not only a celebration of community and compassion but also a monumental success in support of families experiencing homelessness.

You helped raise over $850,000 for the families and individuals going through one of life’s toughest challenges. This is a tremendous achievement and I wanted to again say thank you for your generosity and commitment to making a difference.

Every dollar raised from this amazing evening is providing shelter, food, support services, and hope to families facing homelessness. Your participation and contributions have paved the way for a brighter future for thousands of people, offering them the support they need to rebuild their lives and step forward with confidence.

As A New Leaf looks back on this unforgettable night, we are filled with gratitude for your support and enthusiasm. Your involvement is crucial to giving families safe shelter, and an opportunity for a brighter future.

All of this is possible due to wonderful people just like you. A New Leaf would also like to thank our Gala sponsors for supporting those in need this year.

Desert Financial Credit Union

Messinger Mortuaries

The Wrigley Mansion

Skinner Clouse Group

Gateway Bank

Banner | Aetna

Wells Fargo

SRP

Please stay tuned for a “Save the Date” invitation for next year’s gala in 2025! A New Leaf looks forward to the opportunity to come together once again and continue to support the people who need it most.

Thank you once again for your incredible support and for making “A Night in Positano” a truly special event. You are making a profound difference in the lives of those in need.

For any questions or assistance please reach out to me, mschnepf@turnanewleaf.org!

Contributed by:

McCall Schnepf

Events Manager

A New Leaf

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