blog and news
read incredible stories of impact
A New Be-leaf: Alyson’s Story
Alyson’s heart was pounding harder and her vision was narrowing as she brushed the vivid color onto the canvas. With each and every precise movement of her paintbrush, the details of the mural began to form a whole. Days turned into weeks as shapes formed across the canvas, buildings of historic Mesa slowly painted onto the long trapezoid-shaped wood material, each creating a brilliant image of the heart and soul of downtown Mesa.
Meet Dr. Duane Wooten
In a modest medical office three stories above South Phoenix, Dr. Duane Wooten sits behind a large desk scattered with paperwork. He has run a successful pediatric medical practice in Phoenix for 31 years. “I’ve helped a lot of people – nearly 35,000 children,” he explains.
Gail’s Story: Finding Hope at A New Leaf
As a single parent of a child, Gail, had done everything right. She had gone to college, received a degree, and secured a good paying job. She was the proud mother of a son, Mateo. While her parents lived in Tucson, Gail was especially close to her mother’s family – Gail’s aunts, uncles, and cousins – who lived in Colombia. Gail decided to take a chance and move to Colombia and pursue a dream of teaching English and living close to her family.
Unaccompanied Children – Your Help Is Needed
Chances are you’ve read reports lately of migrant children being sheltered by local nonprofit agencies. It’s a compelling story, and any parent would want their child to be safe and protected. A New Leaf is on the front lines caring for unaccompanied children who need help at this critical window of their lives.
Diane’s Story – Just a Call Away from Help
My name is 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. I screen calls from victims of domestic violence in Maricopa County and out of state.
Meet Pearl, a Survivor and Activist
My name is Pearl, and I am a Mobile Court Advocate for A New Leaf, helping survivors of domestic violence find protection and security – or whatever else they may need – through the courts. As a survivor of domestic violence, I choose this career because I want to empower people who are facing what I faced.
Mental Health Month: A New Leaf Heals Hearts and Minds
May is Mental Health Month. It’s the time each year to raise awareness of mental health and recognize the caring medical teams that work tirelessly to help so many people in our community. One of the most important issues among healthcare professionals today is care for children and teenagers who struggle with their mental health.
Rooted in the Community
In a small, modest medical office, three stories above South Phoenix, Dr. Duane Wooten sits behind a large wooden desk, scattered with paperwork and prescription receipts. He has run a successful pediatric medical practice in the Phoenix area for over 31 years. “I’ve helped a lot of people – nearly 35,000 kids – since I started as a practitioner.”
Stacy Finds her Better Tomorrow
For the first time in her life, Stacy feels truly secure. She has a good, predictable job, financial security, and a stable home for her children. But things haven’t always been so optimistic for her.
How to Donate Without Leaving Your House
The pandemic has kept many of us in our homes for quite some time, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on giving back. You can still help your favorite organizations, many of which could really use it right now—2020 has not been kind to the nonprofit industry. Check out these easy ways to donate while still chilling in your pajamas.
A Message to Our Community: George Floyd
These are indeed difficult and challenging times. In the first half of 2020, we have experienced a global pandemic, economic disruptions, and now, an emergency curfew imposed in Arizona in response to the violence on our streets. These conditions make us pause and reflect on these matters of extreme importance.
Work$ Ready Program Will Help Displaced Workers
A New Leaf is launching Work$Ready, a new program designed to help people sharpen their skills. With unprecedented unemployment and financial hardship devastating our community, this new and innovative program will help households find new employment.
COVID-19 Raises Risks for Abuse Victims
The global pandemic is changing life as we know it right before our eyes. The measures put into place to keep the virus from spreading and help keep the public stay safe – including social distancing and stay-at-home orders – have put many people in danger, especially victims of domestic violence and abuse. Throughout this pandemic, it’s important to not only keep ourselves safe, but to raise awareness for those who are most vulnerable during this time of crisis.
COVID-19 Crisis: Your Help Is Urgently Needed
With people losing their jobs, schools closing, and the COVID-19 landscape quickly changing, A New Leaf continues to provide critical services to individuals and families in need. The work we do is more important than ever.
A New Leaf Responds to COVID-19 Virus
With the recent spread of the Coronavirus and disruption in the Valley, A New Leaf is taking steps to address the crisis and protect the health of clients, staff, volunteers, donors, and the community at large.
How to Spot Domestic Violence and Abuse
October was National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A month that is meant to bring attention to the men, women and children who have been or are currently survivors of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a very pervasive issue that can affect people from any walks of life. It does not discriminate between class race or gender. Since 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience domestic violence chances are you know someone who is currently in a domestic violence situation or has been in the past.
5 Types of Homeless People: It’s More Complicated Than You Think
Have you ever stopped and thought about what you would do if one day you became homeless? Who you would rely on? What resources you would reach out to? Many people and families face these questions when they unexpectedly find themselves without a home.