January 2025 Newsletter

After years in the gig economy and having unsteady work, 38-year-old Matthew felt it was time for a change. Having worked with companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats, Matthew had managed to keep his bills paid, but little remained for savings or buying a home. The demanding nature of the work was also taking its toll and he found himself logging 60 hours weeks regularly.

“I’ve been in gig work and sales since 2015, but I was getting tired of it. I wanted to explore something different, maybe finance,” he explained. “But I wasn’t sure if my tattoos or personal style would fit the traditional banking world.”

A turning point came when Matthew joined A New Leaf’s free job training initiative designed to prepare individuals for careers in banking. The program became a lifeline, restoring confidence in their abilities and sharpening their professional skills.

“I had lost a bit of confidence in my interviewing skills, but the program really helped me get that back,” he said. “The elevator speech training was a game-changer—it reminded me how to sell myself quickly and effectively. I built up my self-esteem and started to feel like this could work.”

By the end of the program, Matthew secured a role with Bank of America in their Client Solutions division. The position came with challenges, but it was a valuable learning experience.

“It was a call center role, but it paid well and was a step up from what I was doing before. It felt like I was on the same level as a banker, maybe even a bit higher,” he shared.

After several months in the role, Matthew felt ready to make another change and decided to pursue his education. His manager encouraged him to check out local programs and slowly a plan came together that would give him the tools he needed to get ahead in his career.

“I’m starting school at Mesa Community College to earn a certificate in project management,” Matthew said. “I’d love to get into tech, maybe finance again, or even manage a team in a call center. I want to mentor young people and help them grow.”

With new skills and fresh determination, Matthew is ready to take the next step toward a brighter future. He credits much of his new path in life to the time he spent at A New Leaf’s workforce program, learning the skills he needed to succeed.

“A New Leaf’s program was exactly what I needed to get back on track,” he said. “It helps with your interviewing skills and builds confidence. I’m really grateful for the opportunity. I don’t think I would have taken a shot at college again without A New Leaf’s encouragement!”

A New Leaf extends our heartfelt thanks to Sundt Construction Inc. and Compass Datacenters for organizing a remarkable toy drive to support the children in our programs. Your generosity ensured that every child in our care received a special gift this holiday season, filling their hearts with joy and their holidays with magic.

Located at A New Leaf’s La Mesita campus, our Donation Center plays a crucial role in supporting the individuals and families we serve. Generous donations of new, unused items from community members like you are essential in meeting the everyday needs of those who rely on our services.

Our most pressing needs right now are:

• Men’s Shoes (all sizes)
• Paper Goods (towels, toilet paper, dishes)
• Baby Formula
• Bath and Hand Towels
• Twin and Queen Sheets
• Twin and Queen Quilts

Donate your new, unused items to our drop-off donation center located at 2245 W. Ella Street, Building A, Mesa, AZ 85201. Our hours of operation are Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM, and Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. To facilitate a smooth drop-off, kindly call ahead to schedule your delivery at 480-464-4648.

A New Leaf offers many ways to give, including several tax-smart options. These include stocks and securities, donor advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, real estate, retained life estate, and life insurance settlement.

Stocks and Securities

You can choose to give stocks, securities, or mutual funds instead of gifts of cash. Giving appreciated assets like these help you avoid paying capital gains taxes, and can give you an income tax deduction for the full value of the gift, if you’ve had the assets for more than one year.

Give appreciated assets now and enjoy the benefits, or add us as a beneficiary of these assets and eliminate estate and inheritance tax, making the most of your gift.

Donor-Advised Funds

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) allows individuals to make charitable contributions and receive an immediate tax deduction. The funds are managed by a DAF custodian, and the donor can recommend grants to their preferred nonprofit organizations.

Donors can contribute to the fund over time and recommend grants to charities at their discretion, providing flexibility in their giving strategy.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a tax-efficient way for individuals who are age 70 ½ or older to make gifts directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

QCDs can count towards satisfying an individual’s Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year, which is the minimum amount that an individual must withdraw from their IRA each year once they reach age 73.

Retained Life Estates

A Retained Life Estate is a planned giving arrangement where individuals can donate their home or real property to a charitable organization while retaining the right to live in it for their lifetime.

It is ideal for homeowners who wish to make a significant charitable gift while still enjoying the property’s use and avoiding the complexities and costs associated with transferring ownership during their lifetime.

Life Insurance Settlement

A life insurance settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy to a third party for an amount greater than the cash surrender value. Typically, the sale involves an insured age 65 or older with a policy that is no longer needed, wanted, or affordable to an investment company that provides the owner of the policy with a lump sum cash settlement.

You can sell your life insurance policy and use the proceeds how you see fit. Any life insurance policy (including term policies) is your own asset – just like your car or house.

For more information about these tax-smart giving options, please contact Suzanne Percy, Charitable Giving Advisor, at (480) 708-1358 or email spercy@turnanewleaf.org.

This month, we are highlighting our partnership with Umpqua Bank. Umpqua Bank is a leading financial institution in the western U.S., with over $50 billion in assets and more than 300 locations including in Arizona.

Umpqua recognizes that local organizations have deep experience meeting the unique needs of the communities they serve. A New Leaf’s partnership with Umpqua began before any branches even opened in the Phoenix Metro area

Umpqua has its roots in a small timber town in Oregon, where the community worked together to build what they needed: a school, church, grocery store, a bank, and more. As the bank has grown and expanded into new markets, it has stayed true to its values of supporting local communities and giving back.

The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation provides grants and other charitable resources to build healthier, more resilient, better connected, and inclusive communities where it does business. The Foundation supports A New Leaf’s financial empowerment services.

Our partnership has adapted over time to the changing needs of the local economy and workforce and it remains impactful in improving economic prosperity for under-resourced individuals and families in our community. Umpqua Bank truly believes that we can all work “Together for Better”.

For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Vice President of Philanthropy, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.

Register Now! Tickets to our annual Camaraderie Gala are now available! This incredible event will be March 8, 2025 at Fairmont Princess Scottsdale.

For one night only, A New Leaf will be opening “The Jazz Lounge”, an exclusive black-tie club, where guests will enjoy the ambiance of the French Quarter through lively jazz performances, handcrafted cuisine, and an impactful program. Please join us as we celebrate our partners and sponsors who make serving over 23,000 people a year possible!  

All proceeds from the evening will benefit A New Leaf’s homeless shelters and housing assistance programs across the Valley! Register or view sponsorship opportunities at the button below: