January 2023 Newsletter
To our community,
Incredible things were accomplished in 2022, with nearly 25,000 lives changed across the Valley. Thanks to people like you, thousands of families and individuals were able to overcome homelessness, domestic violence, and so much more!
Donors, volunteers, and other members of our community stepped up to help those most in need, making a lasting change in their own neighborhoods. It’s some truly inspiring results that fill me with hope as we look forward to this next year. Already we are seeing remarkable stories coming out of shelters across the Valley.
I got to personally meet Camila, the lovely grandmother who shares her story in this month’s newsletter. At over 70 years old, she found the courage to leave her abusive husband and find independence. Her story is inspiring, heart-wrencing, and only made possible by people like you.
Her story is proof that no matter how long you have been facing a challenge, it is never too late to ask for help or turn your life around. It is people like Camilla that we hope to help in 2023. Your support will help families desperate to improve their lives, giving support to those willing to take brave steps towards a brighter future.
As the start of this new year quickly passes, don’t forget that a small donation, or a few hours of volunteering, can completely change the course of someone’s life. You can make your local community a better place by contributing your time, resources, and voice.
Never forget that your actions can make an enormous impact.
Sincerely,
Joe Dulin
Chief Philanthropy Officer
A New Leaf
Click Below to See Exciting News!
HOW YOU GAVE CAMILLA A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
EVENT NEWS: CAMARADERIE 2023 IS NEARLY HERE
VOLUNTEER UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES
DONATION CENTER UPDATES AND URGENT NEEDS
FREE SPECIAL NEEDS FINANCIAL PLANNING EVENT
COMMUNITY PARTNER NEWS: PNC BANK
January 2023 Impact News: How You Changed Camila’s Life After Years of Abuse
Camilla experienced physical and emotional abuse for decades. Thanks to supporters like you, Camilla was able to make a change in her life and finally get the help she needed to leave her abusive husband. You gave her a second chance at life.
“Domestic violence has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father was abusive to my mother, my siblings, and myself. As an adult, I continued to choose relationships that were much like what I had always known. The uncertainty of leaving was too much to handle, so I would go back and suffer the abuse…. what a terrible resignation to a life of pain and fear. I could have died so many times.”
Camila struggled for 50 years before she was able to free herself from domestic violence. It was only after her eight grown children reached out and offered to help her that she felt as if she could actually leave. Together, this family gave Camila the strength she needed to move towards independence.
Camila came to A New Leaf’s Faith House Domestic Violence Shelter and resolved to never go back to her husband. As she opened up to the staff about her life, she started to see things very differently. Being isolated for so long in an abusive household, Camila had gotten used to accepting her husband’s perspective as truth.
“The counseling I got at A New Leaf opened my eyes to everything I had put myself through. So many painful moments in my life that I blamed myself for suddenly changed. I had thought I was worthless, inattentive, and weak for so long. But the truth was, I was being abused.”
Camila worked hard to move forward in her life. She found employment within a month, attended all of her case management meetings and continued in counseling to help process her lifetime of trauma. Four months later, an empowered Camila moved into her own apartment, encouraged by the emotional support of her eight incredible children and five grandchildren.
“Everything has changed. Today, I feel complete because my stay at Faith House enabled me to find my true self. Not Camila, the victim, but Camila, a mother, a productive member of society, a survivor… a stronger Camila all the way around. Faith House has enabled me to re-discover myself and believe again in things that most people take for granted.”
“It took me years, but I finally realized some simple truths: My life is mine. My body is mine. I deserve to be happy. My actions did not cause my abuser’s actions. I am not defined by the trauma I have experienced. Violence and pain are not part of a loving relationship. I have value as a human being, mother, friend, and partner.”
“I am so thankful for the support I received from A New Leaf to reach this point in my life, where I am now free. It means the world to me.”
Contributed by:
Tanner Swanson
Communications Manager
A New Leaf
January 2023 A New Leaf Event News: Camaraderie 2023
It is our pleasure to invite you to A New Leaf’s 2023 Camaraderie Gala, benefitting survivors of domestic violence and families experiencing homelessness. All proceeds from this event will go to support A New Leaf’s life-saving shelter programs, support programs, and more. Every attendee will be directly changing the life of someone in need, right in our local community.
You can view event details and register for this event below:
Camaraderie 2023
Date and time: April 1, 2023 | 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Chateau Luxe Event Venue – 1175 E Lone Cactus Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Attire and style: Tropical, Cocktail
Registration: https://turnanewleaf.org/Camaraderie
Contact Kelly Snyder at ksynder@turnanewleaf.org or 480-464-4648 if you would like to get more involved, sponsor the event, or if you have any questions.
Contributed by:
Kellie Snyder
Special Events Manager
A New Leaf
January 2023 Volunteer News: Margaret’s Legacy of Service
Margaret (left) has personally coordinated nearly 1 million meals at the East Valley Men’s Center since 2009
Margaret Taylor has been volunteering with A New Leaf since 2009. A recently retired teacher with over 37 years of experience, she knew she needed to stay active, and volunteering was a perfect fit. Margaret worked at A New Leaf as a VISTA staff member through AmeriCorps for two years and fell in love with the organization. She has stayed on as a volunteer ever since.
During her tenure, Margaret has been responsible for organizing meal donations for the East Valley Men’s Center, which gives shelter to nearly 110 men each night. She was responsible for feeding all of these men breakfast and dinner, every single day of the week. It was an enormous responsibility, but she took it on without a second thought.
Thanks to her remarkable leadership these past 14 years, over 1 million meals have been served to those most in need. This is a staggering achievement, and demonstrates how much Margaret truly cares about her community. It is impossible to even try and measure the number of lives that she has changed in the Mesa community.
With over a decade of service to A New Leaf, Margaret is planning to hand the reins to a new volunteer. Her priority now is to travel and spend more time with her children and grandkids. At 85 lovely years of age, she wants to spend more time with the people closest to her (she looks 20 years younger and everyone is jealous of her!).
We thank Margaret for being a wonderful volunteer and friend.
A New Leaf was recertified as a Service Enterprise!
A New Leaf has been recertified as a Service Enterprise Organization (SEI) for another three years. This certification is a testament to A New Leaf’s commitment to creating worthwhile volunteer and intern opportunities for the community. It means that we are committed to providing valuable experiences that also create substantial impact in the lives of those most in need across the Valley.
We are deeply thankful to all of the volunteers, interns, employees, and Board members that worked to make this certification happen. Thanks to their dedication, the next three years will be spent on building a healthy volunteer program to successfully engage, place, and recognize members of the community.
2022 Volunteer Program Results
Individual Volunteers
Volunteer Groups
Volunteer Hours
Dollars in Value
If you are interested in participating in other volunteer opportunities, we are currently recruiting for the following ongoing roles:
· Shelter Support at the East Valley Men’s Center ·
· Administrative Volunteers ·
· MSW and BSW Field Instructor Volunteer Supervisors for Intern Supervision ·
· Special Project and Special Event Volunteers ·
A New Leaf welcomes anyone interested in serving their community to join us at one of our many program locations across the Valley. As a volunteer you will be making a direct impact in the lives of families and individuals in crisis. Please submit an application through our website or email us at Volunteer@turnanewleaf.org.
Contributed by:
Raven Jordan Yosick
Volunteer Program Supervisor
A New Leaf
January 2023 Donation Center News: How You Can Give Back in the New Year
This is Julia, and she just raised hundreds of dollars so she could donate a whole trunk full of pet food, treats, shampoo, and more to a local domestic violence shelter!
This New Year, you can provide life-changing support to those experiencing homelessness by donating basic household items like bath towels, sheets, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, and more! You can make a direct impact in the life of someone in need by donating one of these items to A New Leaf! Examples of the most needed items include:
- Non-perishable food items
- Bath towels
- Bed sheets
- Pots and pans
- Cleaning supplies
Arizona is facing the highest rates of homelessness in the nation, and your help is needed, now more than ever. Generous supporters like you are often the only reason these households get the safety, food, clothing, and basic needs they require. Donating items is the most direct way to help those experiencing a crisis!
Contributed by:
Sharma Glenn
Donation Center & Contributions Supervisor
A New Leaf
January 2023 Donor News: Presentation on Special Needs Planning
Presentation on Special Needs Planning with Stephanie A. Bivens, Esq., CELA
If you have a loved one with special needs, you want to make sure they are provided for, now and in the future. Careful planning will provide peace of mind, knowing they will have the financial resources, benefits, and extra care they need. Come and learn about special needs trusts and other tools from one of Arizona’s leading experts.
Date: Friday, February 10, 2023 | 11:30am – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Mesa Country Club | 660 West Fairway Drive, Mesa, Arizona
Details: There is no charge to attend. Advance registration is required. Buffet lunch provided. Space is limited.
Register for this free event today!
Please register no later than January 31 at turnanewleaf.org/lunchandlearn or (480) 640-3010. Special thanks to Darlene D. Hagan, CPA, Hagan Consulting Services, PLLC for sponsoring this event.
Contributed by:
Brad Harris
Senior Director of Estate and Gift Planning
A New Leaf
January 2023 Community Partner News: PNC Bank Invests in Education
A New Leaf’s CEO, Michael Hughes, maintains that education is the key to overcoming poverty. From early childhood to post-secondary, education in many forms, opens the door to opportunity.
Education is integrated into all of A New Leaf’s programs, making quality early childhood education accessible for children from low-income families, supporting youth struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral health challenges so they can be successful in school, putting college and vocational training within reach with an 8 to 1 match savings program, teaching life skills to youth and adults, and providing opportunities for employment readiness and career training.
PNC Bank takes pride in being an active member of the communities they serve. At the center of PNC’s community involvement is the PNC Foundation, partnering with high-quality community-based nonprofit organizations to understand and address issues of early childhood education and community and economic development.
In 2021, PNC made a commitment to invest $500 million in charitable giving over a four-year period. This incredible commitment coincided with PNC’s expansion in Arizona with the opening of retail banking operations, known as Solution Centers, in Phoenix metro and northern Arizona communities. And, to demonstrate their commitment to addressing social issues, PNC established a partnership with A New Leaf.
PNC Believes in Early Childhood Education and Workforce Development
PNC Foundation makes charitable investments in A New Leaf’s programs, supporting financial empowerment from cradle to career by closing education gaps for low-income children and workforce training gaps for low-income adults.
PNC funding supports programming for preschool aged children at Phoenix Day, a nationally accredited, First Things First Four-Star- and Quality-First-rated, bilingual early childhood education program in South-Central Phoenix. Phoenix Day ensures children from low-income families enter kindergarten ready to learn by supporting the development of skills needed to succeed in school and in life.
In 1970, Joan Ganz Cooney, co-founder of the Children’s Television Network, selected Phoenix Day to test her curriculum material for the television program Sesame Street because of Phoenix Day’s racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity, and exceptional bilingual programming. For the past 17 years, the PNC Foundation has partnered with Sesame Workshop to address racial justice through early childhood, providing children with the foundation for kindness, fairness, and respect, in the critical early years of child development.
And for adults struggling to overcome financial instability, PNC funding supports career training provided through BankWork$, a free, 8-week course that helps individuals develop the skills necessary to secure meaningful employment opportunities in the financial services industry. The program connects graduates to employers, including PNC, and supports them from the on-boarding process through their career advancement.
Through their partnership with A New Leaf, PNC is creating pathways out of poverty. Pathways for children like Isabel, whose single mom worked two jobs to barely make ends meet but graduated from Phoenix Day exceeding developmental assessments and ready to succeed in school. And pathways for adults like Gabriella, who was struggling as a waitress to help her mom pay the rent but after graduating from the BankWork$ program landed a new career earning a good salary with benefits.
A New Leaf is grateful to PNC for their support and for helping build economic opportunity for low-income community members. For more information, please contact Laura Bode, Director of Community Engagement, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.
Contributed by:
Laura Bode
Director of Community Engagement
A New Leaf