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Life as a Nomad: Renee’s Story
For Renee Williams, struggling with homelessness was like chasing the flicker of a light on the horizon with only shadows to guide her steps. She stumbled through obstacles: evictions, empty bank accounts, a strained co-dependent relationship with her husband, and a nomad existence as she parented her two children. It was a chaotic way to live, and she felt an intense depression gnawing at her every time she opened her eyes in the morning.
CEO Blog: 4 Reasons to Work for a Nonprofit
By Michael T. Hughes, Chief Executive Officer
Did you know that the nonprofit sector is now the third largest segment of the U.S. workforce? The sector has grown by 20% over the last 10 years in contrast to a growth rate of 2-3% for the for-profit sector, according to PNP Staffing Group. Arizona’s nonprofit industry – some 21,000 organizations strong – is a thriving force in the economy and growing bigger every day.
Cool Aid: Make a Difference This Summer
We live in a desert hot zone, filled with extreme weather that strikes our most vulnerable neighbors the hardest. Triple digit temperatures afflict the homeless or elderly disproportionately. They can’t afford basic tools essential for summer survival: air conditioning, hydration or shelter. The heat puts them at risk of stroke, dehydration, and even death.
Mila’s Story: Tears of Thankfulness for Her Children
Sometimes a family follows a well-set plan for their lives. Find your soulmate, get married, decide together on the number of kids you will have, plan your expenses, pick out all your children’s names in advance, and perhaps even buy a home to raise them in.
Jessica’s Story: A New Life at La Mesita Community
This is the story of Jessica, a young woman who has found hope, courage and strength through A New Leaf. Her story could be that of thousands of others.
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.
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.
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.