June 2025 Newsletter
Hello friends!
As summer begins, I’m excited to share our June newsletter with you! With warmer days ahead, this season is a fresh start for so many, and a perfect time to reflect on the power of community and the impact your support makes every day.
In this issue, you’ll meet Robert, a proud U.S. Navy veteran who faced homelessness with quiet strength and determination. Thanks to A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center, and your support, Robert found the resources he needed to get back on his feet, rebuild his life, and regain his independence.
You’ll also find highlights from a fantastic volunteer day, details on upcoming events you won’t want to miss, and new ways to make a difference in your community this summer.
Thank you for standing with A New Leaf. Your compassion and generosity are the reason we can help individuals like Robert, and so many others, build brighter futures.
Laura Bode
Chief Philanthropy Officer
A New Leaf
Click Below to See Exciting News!
ROBERT GETS BACK ON HIS FEET
VOLUNTEER UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES
DONATION CENTER UPDATES AND URGENT NEEDS
LIFE SETTLEMENTS
COMMUNITY PARTNER HIGHLIGHT
BAGS AND BREWS 2025 IS COMING SOON!
June 2025 Impact News: Robert has a stable future, thanks to you!
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. 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.”
“A New Leaf helped me really get on my feet for good. It was 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.”
Contributed by:
Tanner Swanson
Communications Manager
A New Leaf
June 2025 Volunteer Update: Volunteers helped us Paint it Forward at Homeward Bound!
On May 10th, something truly special happened at A New Leaf’s Homeward Bound Apartments. Over a dozen incredible companies and a dedicated group of volunteers came together for one powerful reason: to help transform housing for families in need. Armed with paint rollers, brushes, and a shared mission of compassion, these community heroes rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
Together, they painted two full buildings of apartments! Thanks to everyone’s hard work, these homes are now ready for families seeking a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives.
This is what community looks like. It’s neighbors helping neighbors. It’s businesses stepping up to make a difference. It’s volunteers giving their time and energy to ensure that families in need have a safe, welcoming place to call home.
Thank you for Painting it Forward! Together, we are building a brighter, more compassionate community, one brushstroke at a time.
Do you want to volunteer with A New Leaf? Sign-up today! Click here to get started: https://turnanewleaf.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Contributed by:
Leneya Perschka
Director of Community Engagement
A New Leaf
June 2025 Donation Center Updates: We need your donations
A New Leaf invites you to make a direct impact in your local community by making a donation of new, unused items. Your gifts will help those facing homelessness, domestic violence, and other crisis situations.
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:
Bed sheets (twin and queen)
Pancake mix
Shower curtains/liners/rods
Dish soap
Individual snacks (protein bars, trail mix, chips, fruit snacks, etc.)
Coffee makers
Toilet bowl cleaner
Men and women’s shampoo
Men and women’s body wash
Men and women’s deodorant
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Baby formula
These everyday items play an important role in helping the individuals and families we serve feel clean, comfortable, and cared for. If you’re able to contribute, your generosity will make an immediate and meaningful impact.
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.
Contributed by:
Sondos Musa
Community Engagement Manager
A New Leaf
June 2025 Major Gifts Update: Turn an unused policy into life-changing impact!
Every year, more than 2.5 million seniors decide to stop paying into life insurance policies they no longer need or can’t afford. What many don’t realize is that these policies are assets and may be worth more than you think.
Instead of lapsing or surrendering a policy for a small payout, consider a life settlement: a tax-smart option that lets you turn your policy into a meaningful gift that transforms lives at A New Leaf.
What Is a Life Settlement?
A life settlement allows you to sell your life insurance policy to a third party for a lump sum – often 3 to 5 times more than the cash surrender value. After the sale, the buyer maintains the policy and continues premium payments.
Why Consider a Life Settlement?
- Get more from your asset than surrendering or lapsing the policy
- Free up resources for other needs or priorities
- Make a lasting gift to a cause close to your heart, like providing shelter, safety, and stability through A New Leaf
Before making a decision, consult your financial and insurance advisors to see if a life settlement is right for your situation. This strategy isn’t for everyone but it could unlock an overlooked way to give generously and wisely.
To learn more about life settlements or other smart giving options, contact: Suzanne Percy, CFRE. Sr. Charitable Giving Advisor (480) 708-1358, spercy@turnanewleaf.org
Contributed by:
Suzanne Percy
Sr. Charitable Giving Advisor
A New Leaf
June 2025 Community Partner Highlight: Delta Dental Foundation
Delta Dental Foundation is known for its commitment to improving oral health and overall wellness for underserved and uninsured Arizonans. Through its Dental Supply Donation Program, the Foundation distributes Smile Bags filled with essential hygiene supplies and education cards that help recipients build healthy habits and gain confidence.
These Smile Bags are a lifeline for families and individuals without reliable access to oral health care. Designed with dignity, each bag includes age-appropriate supplies that support daily oral hygiene and promote long-term wellness.
A New Leaf has been a proud recipient of Smile Bags from Delta Dental Foundation, which have been distributed to children and adults through A New Leaf’s after school programs, family shelters, supportive housing, early childhood education programs, and the East Valley Men’s Center.
Thanks to Delta Dental Foundation’s continued generosity, A New Leaf’s Healthy Smiles for Life Program provides dental hygiene education and supplies for adults and children in households with low income or who are un/underinsured. The program emphasizes preventative oral health care, instilling positive habits while also offering referrals for treatment when needed most.
With the support of Delta Dental Foundation, A New Leaf continues to promote oral health, wellness, and long-term self-sufficiency for every individual served. Together, we are creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, with a healthy smile to match!
For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Paula Kipp, Senior Grants Manager, at pkipp@turnanewleaf.org.
Contributed by:
Paula Kipp
Senior Grants Manager
A New Leaf
June 2025 Event News: Mark your calendars for two incredible events!
Bags & Brews 2025 – Cornhole, Community, and Cold Brews!
Get ready, Bags & Brews is back and better than ever! This year brings a fresh twist with a new date, new location, and exciting sponsorship opportunities. Join us on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at The Duce in Downtown Phoenix for an unforgettable day of friendly competition, delicious food, and refreshing drinks, all in support of A New Leaf’s vital programs.
Whether you’re tossing bags or cheering on your team, this fun-filled cornhole tournament is the perfect way to connect with community members while escaping the summer heat. Registration and sponsorships are open now, so gather your crew and sign up today!
With One Voice Breakfast – Raise Your Voice for Survivors
Join us for an inspiring morning of purpose and action at the With One Voice Breakfast on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at The Farm at South Mountain. This powerful event unites our community in a shared stand against domestic violence, supporting safe shelter and healing services for thousands of local survivors.
Your attendance at this breakfast sends a clear message: no one should have to live in fear. While the event is free to attend, a donation will be requested and every dollar makes a meaningful difference.
Let’s come together With One Voice to build a safer, stronger Valley for all.
Registration coming soon!
Contributed by:
McCall Schnepf
Special Events Manager
A New Leaf
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