blog and news

read incredible stories of impact

ANL logo standard
Alison Spark

Alison

“As working parents, it’s been hard for me and my husband to find childcare that would accept an infant. More so, it is hard to find childcare I would trust with my infant,” says Alison, mother of Addison, 5, and Bishop, 9 months. “Kids can easily fall behind or go...

Sofia Spark

Sofia

Sofia’s family had recently been evicted from their apartment and were now staying at a walk-in homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix. It was a few weeks into her stay at the shelter that she found the miracle she had been looking for. A shelter staff person told...

Stacy Spark 1200

Stacy

I’ve been employed with Wells Fargo now for over a year thanks to the BankWork$ training program, and have already gotten a promotion. I found not only my career at A New Leaf, but a chance to build a business and be my own boss. I’ve built a website, found...

shutterstock 62916883

Jessica

Jessica called A New Leaf’s Crisis Hotline, desperate to escape her abusive marriage. With nowhere to go, she turned to DVSTOP to provide safe, temporary shelter. After taking that step, and finding help, Jessica said she was ready to move forward with getting a...

IMG 5364 edited web

how you saved karina’s life

Karina thought she met her soulmate when she was only 17. She had just graduated high school when her son Adrienne was born. Soon after, she moved in with her new husband, and had high hopes for a happy family and a bright future. “It happened so fast. We don’t...

shutterstock 1922251091

Amy

I was completely broken when I finally came to A New Leaf, but the staff welcomed me with open hearts. They’ve taught me a lot about valuing myself and that I am a good person. I am much stronger now and just so grateful for the support I got.” A very articulate...

What it Takes to Be a Nonprofit Board Member

You’ve volunteered your time, and you’ve donated yearly. Despite your heavy involvement in the organization, you’re ready for something more. You’ve dipped your toes into the nonprofit world, but now it’s time to full-on swim. Before jumping in, you understandably want to know what’s in the water. We’re talking, of course, about joining a nonprofit board of directors.

Website Header for Blog Pages 2000 × 800 px 3

Diane

I was a survivor of domestic violence and now I am a case manager at A New Leaf’s Centralized Screening Domestic Violence Hotline. Having experienced abuse first hand, I would do anything I could to keep my callers safe.” My name is Diane. I was a survivor of...

Angel edit 1200

Angel

Angel, her sister, and her two brothers all participated in La Mesita’s Summer Program. Near the end of the summer several of the older kids participated in the Peace Poetry contest and three girls, including Angel, were selected as winners. Angel’s poetry...

Juan’s Story

After leaving prison, I knew I needed help to stay off drugs, find work, and provide for my son. I wanted to lead a better life than I had. A New Leaf helped me do exactly that.

Website Header for Blog Pages 42

Marissa’s Story

I was a mother with one child and another on the way, having walked away from an abusive relationship and I was scared. I felt so alone, at least until I found A New Leaf’s Autumn House. The staff there welcomed me with open arms.

Website Header for Blog Pages 29

Starr’s Story

Starr was in her mid-sixties when she became homeless, and it came as a shock. Bouncing from shelter to shelter, Starr tried to get back on her feet, but the constant moving and uncertainty made finding a job hard. The longer she was on the streets, the harder it was to find a place to live and work.

Website Header for Blog Pages

50th Anniversary Gala

A New Leaf celebrates 50 years of “Helping Families, Changing Lives” in the Greater Phoenix community, serving 30,000 people annually.

Website Header for Blog Pages 10 1

Janis Merrill Dedication Ceremony

Janis Merrill’s Commitment to Education The Janis Merrill Education Center was dedicated on Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, in honor of Janis Merrill, a community leader, volunteer, and philanthropist who has played a significant role in the history of A New...

Website Header for Blog Pages 2

Homelessness Awareness Month

November is Homelessness Awareness Month, and thanks to generous donors, A New Leaf is able to help families experiencing homelessness find a home. But, there is so much more to do.

Website Header for Blog Pages 7

Mark’s Story

Mark came to Arizona at the age of 46, searching for a good job. But when he struggled to find work, Mark found himself on the streets with nowhere to go. While living on the streets, Mark met Lisa, a community advocate connecting those in need to resources like A New Leaf.

Mark's Story Header

Dave’s Story

Dave was in the military and developed PTSD that led to him becoming homeless. He slept behind dumpsters and bushes for years before finding help at A New Leaf.

Dave Header Photo