March 2026 Newsletter

For nearly twenty years, Clemencia and Rodolfo worked hard and focused on one thing: giving their children a stable home. Rodolfo worked in masonry and construction, and Clemencia cared for their family and later worked as a caregiver for seniors. “We’ve always worked,” Rodolfo says. “Everything we did was for our children. As long as they had a roof and food, we felt like we were doing our job.”

That stability collapsed when Rodolfo suffered a serious injury on the job. He couldn’t work consistently during recovery, and the family’s primary income disappeared. Bills piled up quickly, and without savings to fall back on, the pressure became overwhelming. “In twenty years, I never thought we’d be here,” Rodolfo says. “I’ve always been the provider. When I couldn’t work, everything started to fall apart.”

With no steady income, housing became fragile. Over the course of several months, the family moved wherever they could, sleeping in their car, on friends’ couches, and even in backyards. Clemencia and Rodolfo did everything they could to shield their children from the worst of the instability, even as each option ran out. “We tried to make it work wherever we were,” Clemencia says. “Couches, friends’ homes, anything to keep our kids safe. When there was nowhere, we slept in the car.”

They tried to save for a deposit and rent, but it never added up. Often, they had to pay for a cheap hotel room just so the family could shower, sleep, and keep the kids ready for school. “We were trying to save,” Rodolfo says. “But we kept having to spend money just to make it to the next day.”

Desperately looking for resources, they found A New Leaf’s West Valley Housing Assistance Center online. They applied, waited, and hoped. When they were accepted into shelter a few days later, it marked the first real period of rest the family had experienced in months. “When we got here, it felt like we could finally breathe,” Clemencia says. “Our kids were safe. That was the biggest thing.”

At A New Leaf, the family found stability and support. With help from their case manager, they began applying for jobs, attending interviews, and searching for an apartment, this time with a realistic plan forward. “We aren’t panicking anymore and we can be patient enough to make the right choices,” Rodolfo says.

Today, Clemencia and Rodolfo are actively rebuilding. Clemencia is looking for work that fits their children’s schedules, and Rodolfo is exploring the administrative side of construction so he can keep working without worrying about his injury. “I still want to provide,” Rodolfo says. “I just need work I can do long-term and A New Leaf is helping me find that.”

Through everything, their family has stayed close. They still enjoy cooking together, riding bikes, and holding onto routines that give their children a sense of normalcy. “We just want stability,” Clemencia says. “A home. Somewhere our kids don’t have to worry. We have that now.”

Sometimes the most meaningful service happens when people simply show up ready to help! Recently, more than 25 volunteers from the Alta Mesa Stake came together for a day of service supporting A New Leaf’s programs and the families we serve.

Inside, volunteers worked side by side preparing resources that will directly support individuals across several of our programs. Together they assembled 200 sack lunches for residents at the East Valley Men’s Center, prepared more than 150 “mommy snack bags” for families staying in our shelters, and stuffed over 750 break-apart Easter eggs that will help bring a little extra joy to children in our programs.

While part of the team worked indoors, others took on a project we had been hoping to complete for quite some time. Volunteers repainted the parking lot lines at A New Leaf’s Administration Office, a large task that helps improve safety and accessibility for staff, visitors, and program participants.

In just a few hours, the Alta Mesa Stake made an incredible impact, supporting hundreds of people through simple acts of service and teamwork.

We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and generosity these volunteers brought to the day. Their willingness to step in and help shows the powerful difference a community can make when people come together to serve others.

Ready to join in on the fun and make an impact? Click the button below to sign up to volunteer today!

Our Donation Center is currently in need of the following high-priority items:

General purpose cleaning supplies

Clorox/Lysol wipes

Paper towels

Mops and brooms

Bottles of water

Pots and pans

Forks

Non-Perishable Food

Twin, Full, Queen sheet sets

Laundry Detergent

XL/2XL Women’s and Men’s Shirts, Pants, and Sweatshirts

Curly Hair Products

We are proud to be launching The Heartwood Circle, our new legacy society which honors supporters who have left a gift for A New Leaf in their will or estate plans.  

We chose the name “Heartwood” with deep intention. In a tree, the heartwood is the strong, central core that provides unwavering stability. It is the part of the tree that carries its history while sustaining its future growth. A planned gift serves as that very core for A New Leaf, providing the foundation that ensures we stand tall for generations to come.  

By joining The Heartwood Circle, you too can ensure that this legacy of hope is rooted deeply in our community’s future. As a member, you will receive invitations to exclusive events every year, where you will be able to see the impact of your generosity firsthand.  

To inquire about joining The Heartwood Circle, please contact Suzanne Percy, Senior Charitable Giving Advisor, at spercy@turnanewleaf.org.  

For questions about giving a gift from your IRA, stocks, cryptocurrency, or Donor Advised Fund, contact Suzanne or visit our website: https://anewleaf.mygiftlegacy.org/  

State Farm Insurance continues to make a meaningful difference for individuals and families served by A New Leaf through their support of the Pathways Out of Poverty Transportation Assistance Program. By helping remove one of the most common barriers people face while rebuilding their lives, reliable transportation, State Farm is helping create new opportunities for stability and progress.

Through this program, individuals and families receive assistance with public transit rides and rideshare services that allow them to reach employment, childcare, healthcare appointments, and other critical services. This support strengthens several A New Leaf programs, including Shelter and Housing services, Domestic Violence services, and workforce development efforts at Mesa Community Action Network (MesaCAN).

State Farm’s partnership with A New Leaf extends well beyond transportation assistance. Over the years, they have supported our work through in-kind donations, volunteer service, and program funding that helps families move from crisis toward long-term stability. Their involvement reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the communities they serve.

We are grateful for State Farm’s continued partnership and their belief that every family deserves a path forward. Their support helps open doors to opportunity and brings stability within reach for many individuals and families working to rebuild their lives.

Save the Date: A Night in New York City — A New Leaf’s 37th Annual Camaraderie Gala

There is still time to snag a ticket before the big day, but don’t wait! Get ready for a night on the town you’ll never forget, filled with unforgettable moments, meaningful impact, and a celebration worthy of this extraordinary milestone. We can’t wait to see you there!