May 2025 Newsletter

Lamar served 12 years in the United States Navy before being honorably discharged. He saw combat in Grenada and visited dozens of countries across the world. While his service was the highlight of his life, Lamar says it also left him with a lot of scars that haven’t healed. 

“You see things when you’re in the military that never leave you. You lose friends, and see terrible things happen to innocent people. A lot of bad memories stuck with me – a lot more than I wanted to admit when I was discharged. I had all the symptoms of PTSD, but I just didn’t deal with it when I should have.” 

A few decades later down the line, his PTSD finally caught up with him. Lamar had retired on a fixed income and suddenly had little to fill his time with. Thinking and reminiscing about his experiences in the military chipped away at his mental health. Then his wife of over 20 years became terminally ill. Lamar felt like his life was slowly unraveling in front of him, and there was nothing he could do. He was often isolated at home for long stretches of time as he cared for his wife. 

“I couldn’t keep up with medical bills on top of rent and utilities, I mean I don’t have a lot of money. My whole life I thought my military service and social security would provide enough for me to at least get by in retirement, but that didn’t happen at all. So we ended up homeless, and that was rough.” 

Lamar and his wife ended up on the streets for a long time, until a community outreach advocate connected them to A New Leaf for housing and support. This is when everything in his life started to change for the better. He and his wife were placed into an affordable apartment at A New Leaf’s La Mesita Community and were provided with access to free healthcare care support.

“Not only did I get a roof over my head after being homeless, I went into counseling for the first time in my life. That was life-changing. All these thoughts and feelings I had bottled up for so long, I finally had someone to talk to about them. A New Leaf brought a lot of healing into my life, and thank God for that.” 

A year after moving into their apartment, Lamar’s wife passed away. It was a challenging time for him, but thankfully he had a community around him to provide support. Lamar got involved in the community at A New Leaf’s La Mesita, attending classes, making friends, and showing up at resident meetings. He even enrolled in grief counseling and worked hard to process his pain.

“A New Leaf saved me from homelessness as much as it saved me from the loss of my wife. We were married over 20 years, and I miss her to this day. I am so thankful for all the kindness that has been shown to me here. I can’t imagine where I would be, or how I would have dealt with losing her if it hadn’t been for the help I got. Thank you, truly.”

Last month, we celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Week! Our volunteers and interns are the BEST!

Over the past year, our volunteers gave 29,925 hours of your time to help families and individuals in crisis. They served meals, sorted donations, organized drives, cheered at events, and showed up when it mattered most.

Their support ensures that shelter, food, and vital resources reach those who need them most. They offer hope, comfort, and strength, and they help build a brighter, more compassionate community.

Read more about Volunteer Appreciation Week and each program’s successes by reading our blog here! https://turnanewleaf.org/volunteer-appreciation-week-2025/

Do you want to volunteer with A New Leaf? Sign-up today! Click here to get started: https://turnanewleaf.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Our most pressing needs right now are:

• Twin & Queen bed sheet
• Shower Curtains & Liners
• Dish Soap
• Pancake Mix
• Coffee Makers
• Diapers size 5&6

Hope That Never Ends!

Imagine your support continuing year after year, providing safe shelter, vital resources, and compassionate services to individuals and families in our community. By endowing your annual gift to A New Leaf, you are creating lasting impact; your gift is invested with a portion of the earning providing annual support for the programs you care about the most – forever!

Some Benefits of Endowing Your Annual Gift:

• Create Permanent Impact: Your gift will generate ongoing support each year, helping individuals and families find safety, stability, and a fresh start.
• Personal Legacy: Endowing your gift connects you to A New Leaf’s mission in perpetuity.
• Tax Advantage: Endowed gifts may provide significant tax benefits, particularly when given through appreciated assets or estate plans.

Ways to Endow Your Gift:

• A one-time gift to establish an endowment now
• A gift of stock, real estate, or other appreciated assets
• A planned gift through your will, trust, or retirement account
• A donor-advised fund designated to support an endowment at A New Leaf

If you already give annually, consider the hope you could bring by endowing that gift.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been a dedicated partner in A New Leaf’s mission of “Helping Families, Changing Lives.”

The Church operates Deseret Industries, a thrift store, and Bishops’ Storehouse, a commodity resource center. The Church generously donates vouchers for program staff and participants to access clothing, household goods, and food. Additional in-kind and monetary contributions further strengthen A New Leaf’s ability to meet urgent client needs and support their long-term self-sufficiency.

Volunteerism is another vital part of the Church’s partnership. JustServe is a community service platform created by the Church, which connects volunteers with local service opportunities, many of which are at A New Leaf.

This spirit of service is especially evident during the annual 9/11 Day of Service, a national day of giving back. On this day, hundreds of Church members show up across A New Leaf’s programs, completing impactful projects that support shelters, classrooms, housing sites, and beyond.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to uplift A New Leaf’s mission through generosity, service, and a shared belief in the power of helping others. Their willingness to serve wherever they’re needed most exemplifies the very best of community partnership.

It’s that time of year again—Bags and Brews is back for its 7th annual showdown of fun, food, and philanthropy! Hosted by Corporate Interior Systems, this cornhole tournament brings together the best of summer: friendly competition, refreshing brews, and a whole lot of heart!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at The Duce in downtown Phoenix. Whether you’re an ace with a bean bag or just here for the good vibes, this event is your chance to enjoy a casual, community-driven afternoon that makes a real impact.

All proceeds go to support A New Leaf, helping families across Arizona overcome homelessness, domestic violence, and other serious challenges. Every toss, every sip, and every cheer helps create brighter futures for those in need.

There are opportunities to sponsor, play, or simply show up and support. Gather your coworkers, challenge your friends, or bring your family for a meaningful day of connection and giving back.

Let’s make this the most impactful Bags and Brews yet! Register today and be part of something special!