June 2024 Newsletter

Robert is a strong, proud veteran. He doesn’t like asking for help. Having served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1990, he believes in providing for himself and getting by as best as he can. But when he came face to face with homelessness, Robert knew that he was going to need more help than he wanted to admit.

“I work with my hands mostly, and I don’t make a ton of money – but I’ve always been able to pay my bills. When rent started going up, I got a roommate. But when I was getting ready to renew my lease he wanted to leave and I signed it by myself. But a few months later I still couldn’t find someone to fill the room. It’s embarrassing, but I ended up falling behind on my rent and came home to an eviction notice one day.”

When the eviction date came, Robert packed everything he could into his car and ended up sleeping in a Walmart parking lot. He couldn’t shower, cook, or wash his clothes. For several weeks he kept up with this routine, but eventually lost his job due to the challenges of living in his car. Without paying work, Robert felt like he had no way out of a very dire situation.

“I realized I needed to swallow my pride a little bit and commit to fixing the problem. I called up A New Leaf because I had heard about the East Valley Men’s Center online. It seemed a little safer than most shelters and it had a good reputation for veterans, so I figured I would give it a shot. That ended up being a really good choice.”

Robert got a bed at the East Valley Men’s Center and stayed for several months. He found a job installing commercial internet and started saving every paycheck. For the first time in over a year, things seemed to be moving in the right direction for Robert.

“It felt good to be working again, I even had my own truck. But it took a lot to pay off all the fees from the eviction and other bills. I had dug myself into a bit of a hole, so when it came time to move into a new place, I took it slow.”

“I went into A New Leaf’s Mesa Bridge program which would give me 12 months of reduced cost housing to help me really get on my feet for good. It’s been a great place to work on myself, and I gotta be honest – I have a lot of hope for the future now. I am so thankful.”

At A New Leaf, we are continually inspired by the dedication and generosity of our amazing volunteers. This month, we want to highlight Keller Williams and Extra Mile Painting Company for their exceptional commitment and hard work in renovating the main living space at the East Valley Men’s Center (EVMC).

The importance of a clean, inviting living space cannot be overstated for those staying at any homeless shelter. It is essential for providing a sense of stability, dignity, and peace. Thanks to your dedication, EVMC boasts a warm and welcoming environment, allowing the men to feel comfortable and safe as they focus on moving towards stability.

If you are interested in joining A New Leaf’s wonderful volunteer group, you can get involved today! A New Leaf is looking for Shelter Support Volunteers at four locations: East Valley Men’s Center (EVMC), West Valley Housing Assistance Center (WVHAC), Faith House (FH), and the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA). As a Shelter Support Volunteer, you will play a vital role in helping those who seek shelter, food, and support. Your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of so many families.

• Helping with food donation pick-ups and meal preparations.
• Sorting and organizing donations, including food, clothes, and toys.
• Providing directions and essential information to shelter visitors.
• Assisting with event preparations and clean-ups.
• Keeping our facilities clean, sanitized, and organized.
• Completing assigned tasks from the shift list, based on location.
• Providing valuable support to our administrative team by assisting with tasks like copying, scanning, answering phones, and greeting visitors.

A New Leaf wants to say thank you to Stardust for their generous donation of over 1,100 Stanley Cups! These high-quality cups will be distributed across all of our 40 programs, benefiting countless clients who rely on our services every single day.

Gifts like this play a crucial role in our efforts to provide support in as many ways as possible. Items like water cups may seem simple, but they do more than just meet basic needs. For those we serve, a new, high quality item can be significant. While it is easy to take household items for granted, it could be vital to someone else, even if it’s just a reusable water bottle. 

These cups will be used daily by our clients, serving as a constant reminder of the generosity and community spirit of people like you. Thank you, Stardust, for your kindness and for choosing to support thousands of people in the community. Your donation helps us ensure that every person in need feels valued and supported.

You can help those experiencing homelessness this year, just like Stardust. Our donation center is still looking for: 

You may be able to double your generous donation through your company’s donation matching program. If you work for any of the following, please read on!

• Allstate

• Ameriprise

• Apple

• Bank of America

• Boeing

• CarMax

• Choice Hotels

• CVS Health

• Deloitte

Corporate donation match programs are a win-win for employees and nonprofits alike. These programs essentially double the impact of charitable contributions made by employees, as companies match donations to eligible nonprofits, often dollar-for-dollar.

By participating in your company’s matching programs, you can make your charitable dollars work harder and organizations like A New Leaf can benefit from additional funding without extra effort. It’s a simple process: after you donate you can submit the matching gift request to your employer, and the company will take care of the rest, sending an equivalent donation to the same nonprofit.

A matched giving program is a powerful way to support the community and causes that matter, leveraging corporate resources for social good. If you’re looking to maximize your charitable impact, check with your HR department to see if your company offers a donation match program.

A New Leaf wants to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Garcia Family Foundation, an amazing organization that addresses key issues in our community. Based in Arizona, the Garcia Family Foundation is dedicated to ending homelessness and closing educational and economic gaps.

The Foundation provides support for education for high-achieving, economically disadvantaged students, including scholarships and programs. Their strategic focus also includes substantial contributions toward creating sustainable solutions to homelessness and engaging the community in these efforts.

With the help of the Garcia Family Foundation, A New Leaf is expanding our homelessness prevention services to help people overcome short-term financial hurdles that could lead to homelessness. This includes providing emergency financial assistance to households facing temporary crises—such as job loss, medical bills, or unexpected expenses—to help them cover rental costs and prevent eviction. Assistance also extends to helping with other essential costs that impact housing stability, such as basic needs, transportation, car repairs, childcare, and costs associated with securing and maintaining employment.

The Garcia Family Foundation’s support is a vital resource that helps people across the Valley find a path toward long-term stability. Meeting the immediate housing and financial needs of families and individuals has far-reaching impacts, and we are grateful for the Foundation’s partnership that will have a positive effect for years to come.

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

A New Leaf is excited to announce the annual “With One Voice” event, a breakfast dedicated to raising awareness and supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This special event will be held on October 23rd, from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM at The Farm at South Mountain.

“With One Voice” is a crucial event for all survivors throughout the Valley. By coming together, we amplify the voices of survivors, share their stories of resilience, and work collectively to support survivors in any way possible. Your participation means joining a community committed to making a difference, offering hope and much-needed support to those who have endured these profound challenges.

The morning will be filled with speakers, survivor testimonials, and opportunities to learn how you can help your neighbors in need. Whether you are a long-time supporter or new to With One Voice, your attendance significantly impacts A New Leaf’s efforts to provide resources, support, and advocacy for survivors.

I invite you to stand with A New Leaf to support, empower, and uplift survivors across our community. We look forward to seeing you at The Farm at South Mountain for this impactful event. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those affected by domestic and sexual violence.