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Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Awards $1.15M Grant to A New Leaf
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded A New Leaf $1.15 million to support A New Leaf’s La Mesita Emergency Family Homeless Shelter located in Mesa, Arizona – the only homeless shelter facility in the East Valley of Metropolitan Phoenix that provides housing to families with children.
CEO Blog: From Emergency Room to Shelter
By Michael T. Hughes, CEO of A New Leaf
Two years ago this month Phoenix celebrated its end to Veteran chronic homelessness, one of the first cities in America to do so.
A Mother Escapes Abuse with Help from A New Leaf
Sarah Anderson is a survivor, and she has faced life’s obstacles and overcome them with determination. But nothing prepared her for her biggest obstacle: facing physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband.
Ellen DeGeneres Show Hosts Our Supporters Alpha Chi Omega
Breaking News!
A New Leaf’s wonderful supporter, Alpha Chi Omega at Arizona State University, appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” October 9 on NBC. The sorority spoke about A New Leaf and domestic violence awareness.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and A New Leaf’s shelters and services help nearly 3,000 victims and survivors in the Valley each year. A New Leaf marks the special awareness month with community outreach, creating awareness by wearing purple, social media and special events.
Abused, Single, and Fighting for Her Kids
A New Leaf was recently awarded three separate grants to support the services of the La Mesita Campus, including our family homeless shelter and services, Headstart, after school programs, and the workforce development program.
Three Big Grant Awards to A New Leaf
A New Leaf was recently awarded three separate grants to support the services of the La Mesita Campus, including our family homeless shelter and services, Headstart, after school programs, and the workforce development program.
A Veteran Struggles with Homelessness
A veteran of the armed services, Michael had spent many years serving his country. He received many awards and recognition for his valor. But then a perfect storm of bad luck happened. He lost his job, his marriage, and his home.
It’s Tough to be a Homeless Single Dad: Jim’s Story
Young Jace holds on to his dad’s hand like a bolt; his curious eyes sweep the sidewalk, and he carefully watches the other children playing next to the building. He has a hard time making friends, says his dad, Jim, and though he is sharp as a whip, he shies away from people he doesn’t know.
East Valley Men’s Center Undergoing Renovations
A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center recently began major construction of several areas within the facility, including bathrooms, showers, laundry room and community space. The project continues through the fall and will be completed in January 2018.
A New Leaf and AWEE Join Forces
A New Leaf and Arizona Women’s Education and Employment today announced that A New Leaf will make AWEE part of its organization as a key community program. AWEE is one of Central Arizona’s leading providers of workforce development and employment assistance.
A New Leaf Hosts Professional Advisor Breakfast
If you are in the finance industry as a CPA, financial advisor, estate attorney, insurance broker or banker, please consider joining us for an informative breakfast session to learn more about charitable financial planning.
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.
