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VITA Program Seeks Volunteers
(Glendale, AZ) – A New Leaf’s community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in the West Valley is currently seeking volunteers to assist qualified taxpayers prepare and file their tax returns.
Michael’s Story: His Son’s Death and Then Homelessness
By Michael Tuebner
I had just started a new job in Colorado Springs when my ex-wife let me know our 30-year-old son was dying.
ICE Donates to 150 Children for the Holidays
(Scottsdale, AZ) – A New Leaf received a record number of holiday gift items this week to benefit 150 children staying at A New Leaf’s shelters – all because of a generous donation from International Cruise & Excursions (ICE), Inc.
Amy’s Story: Surviving Domestic Violence
A very articulate Amy defined her story as “not your typical domestic violence situation.” She wasn’t romantically involved with her roommate, but because she had no place else to go, it was either room with him and live in daily fear or go to the streets. The reality of one and the thought of the other were equally terrifying to her.
Emily’s Story: A New Start at Faith House
Wrapping her 9-month-old son in a blanket stained with her blood, Emily tried to calm her baby’s crying and her own beating heart. The baby had been awakened during the night by her husband’s shouting as he beat Emily. She panicked when his rage turned from her to the baby and Emily desperately scrambled to the crib before he could get there. She felt a searing pain and realized her husband had stabbed her hand with the pocket knife he had been threatening her with. The blood and Emily’s scream startled both of them and her husband thankfully backed away.
A New Leaf’s CEO Selected as Most Admired Leader
A New Leaf’s CEO Michael T. Hughes has been selected by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of this year’s Most Admired Leaders. The award will be presented on September 27 at a dinner presentation hosted by the Phoenix Business Journal.
CEO Blog: Record Giving Celebrates the Impact of Donors
By Michael T. Hughes, Chief Executive Officer
Charitable giving last year leaped to $373 billion, setting a national record for the second year in a row, according to a recently released report from the Giving USA Foundation. On behalf of A New Leaf, I thank all of our generous supporters who took the time to donate to our shelter programs and invest in transforming the lives of vulnerable families to become independent, thriving members of the community. You are making a difference!
A Nightmare Move to New City
The panoramic view creeping through the windows of the massive Greyhound, coupled with the excitement of a new construction job awaiting him in Colorado, kept Tom and his wife Marissa on the edge of their seat. The steady roar of the bus’s engine was just enough to lull their three-year old son, Lucas to sleep for much of the 22 hour trip.
CEO Blog: Six Myths of Homelessness Debunked
By Michael T. Hughes, Chief Executive Officer
Have you heard that homeless people come to Phoenix because of the warm weather? Or that the homeless choose to be homeless?
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.
Mother. Survivor. Thriver.
As a single mother of three young children, Lonique fought hard to build a safe and stable home for her family. “In Michigan, I was making over $15 an hour. I had a house a car, and my credit score was over 700. We were happy.” But things were still hard as a single parent.
A New Leaf Celebrates Volunteers and Donors
Are you a hero? We sure think so! Next week, A New Leaf will be celebrating the contribution of its donors and volunteers at a luncheon to say thank you, once again, for all of their service and support.
Amanda Finds a Better Tomorrow
In November, 2015, Amanda came to A New Leaf struggling to save her home and in desperate need of a job with insurance to help care for her son’s unique needs. She was also in a toxic marriage, and the emotional and psychological trauma had already caused major damage to her self-esteem and confidence.
Meet Chef Jennifer
Chef Jennifer Johnson has been cooking as a pro for almost 23 years, but she had an unusual start in the industry.
Jennifer never intended to make cooking her career, but when her 2nd grade son wrote a loving Mother’s Day card full of all the reasons he loved her, it included a side note… he hated her cooking. The perfectionist in her decided to go to culinary school, and 23 years later, Chef Jen has never looked back.
Best Charitable Gifts to Make in 2018
With the introduction of tax reform, you may be looking at your finances and wondering how you can continue to be charitable. There are many ways you can make a difference at A New Leaf while enjoying financial benefits for yourself!
A New Leaf Merges with Phoenix Day
A New Leaf is acquiring Phoenix Day in a merger to expand the school’s century-old legacy of protecting and caring for Arizona children.