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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?
Arizona’s Charitable Tax Credit Doubles
Governor Ducey recently signed legislation that doubles the Tax Credit for Contributions to Qualifying Charitable Organizations (formerly “Working Poor Tax Credit).
Bashas’ Campaign Kicks Off
A New Leaf and Bashas’ Family of Stores are partnering to provide shelter and support for victims of domestic violence and homelessness through an in-store fundraising campaign at Bashas’ Family of Stores locations statewide during the month of May (Food City and Bashas’ Supermarkets).
CEO Blog: Five Essential Factors that Motivate a Volunteer
By Michael T. Hughes, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteering can be a big task. Or small. It can be making root beer floats for your church potluck. Or teaching a youth group how to shoot hoops. It can be an apprenticeship for a large company. And it can even be leading an online campaign for your favorite charity.
A New Leaf’s Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Celebrates 45 Years
Donors and volunteers across the Valley gathered at the East Valley Institute of Technology to celebrate A New Leaf’s 45-year anniversary.
Enjoying a delicious lunch and an inspiring program, attendees were treated to videos of long-term supporters telling their personal stories about the organization’s 45 year history.
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.
Abraham’s Story – Getting Help to Get Ahead
Abraham has always been a hard worker. In high school, he always pushed himself to add one more class, extracurricular, or club. Anything to give him an edge on his college applications. Abraham’s parents dreamed of providing him with a college education, but they knew the only way to afford it was through scholarships. So Abraham learned to excel in everything he did.
A Tax Credit Gift for the Holidays
The end of the year brings with it the holidays, gift giving, and time for renewal among Valley residents. It also is the time to consider an extra special gift of which many people may not be aware.
It’s the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, or what has been known as the Working Poor Tax Credit.
Cary’s Story – Helping Households in Need
Cary Peskin came to Phoenix in 2008, after retiring from a long career of public service in his hometown of New York City. He had worked there for many years as Associate Commissioner and Chief Information Officer of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Only a year into retirement, Cary knew that he couldn’t sit still. He wanted to do more for the community that he now called home, so he began to search for opportunities to use his skills to help people. It was then that he came upon A New Leaf’s West Valley Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which provides cost-free tax preparation services to low-income households.