May 2026 Newsletter

In 2006, Anna Colombo was working in behavioral health when a family she served made an unexpected suggestion: become a foster parent. The idea came from a woman caring for two siblings, who proposed that Anna take in one child while she kept the other so they could remain connected. Inspired, Anna and her husband Thomas began the process of becoming licensed foster parents.

What started as one placement grew into a long-term commitment. Nearly twenty years later, the Colombos have welcomed countless children into their home, rarely going more than a few months without caring for a child.

“Our home has never been empty,” Anna shares. “If we don’t have placements, we provide respite care. There is always a child in need.”

The children they have fostered come from a wide range of difficult circumstances, including neglect, abuse, and the effects of addiction. For Anna and Thomas, the goal has always been to provide stability and a safe place where healing can begin.

“We’ve had children show us scars from beatings,” Anna recalls. “It’s heartbreaking. But we focus on helping them feel safe, reminding them it wasn’t their fault, and showing them there is more ahead.”

One of Anna’s most meaningful experiences was caring for a toddler who arrived nonverbal and developmentally delayed. He communicated only through screams, and for days she barely slept as she worked to build trust and help him express himself. Within six months, he had caught up and even exceeded developmental milestones, learning multiple languages and sign language.

Over time, the Colombos have stayed connected with many of the children they have fostered. Some are now adults with families of their own. Their work has also influenced their own children. Their daughter Cassandra became a foster parent and adopted a child who had once been placed in their home.

And with support from A New Leaf, families like Anna and Thomas have the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to continue opening their home to children in need. 

“With A New Leaf, we feel supported,” Thomas says. “There’s always someone to turn to.”

Now in their 60s, they continue fostering with the same commitment.

“If you’re thinking about fostering,” Anna says, “know that you can change a life. Fostering takes a village,” Thomas adds. “Every child deserves a safe home, and we’ll keep providing one for as long as we can.”

Pat Chambers, affectionately known as “Mr. Pat”, doesn’t plan to slow down any time soon.

“I’m not the type to sit still,” he says simply. After nearly two decades working for a medical imaging company, he retired and quickly realized it wasn’t for him. “I didn’t enjoy it at all.”

So he went looking for something else, something that felt meaningful and familiar. In many ways, he had already been doing it for years.

“I used to always make up a gallon bag. Two things of water and some food. And as I was driving around, I’d just give some out to anyone on a curb. Yeah, I did that for a long time.”

That instinct to notice people and help in small, consistent ways is what eventually brought him to A New Leaf.

“When I got the interview to volunteer, I told them, ‘Hey, whatever you need, but I do really like to drive. I’ll go any place you want, pick up anything you want. I just like to drive.’”

These days, that’s exactly what he does. “My usual task is I go wherever they need me. I’ll go and pick up stuff. MesaCAN, EVMC, La Mesita. I hit those places every day, and I just absolutely love it. I really do.” On any given day, his car might be full of clothing, food, bicycles, or donated goods. “Everything,” he says. “Just everything that they have that they want to get from this location to another.”

But for Pat, it’s not just about the work. It’s about the people.

“This family, A New Leaf, are the nicest people I have ever worked with. Really,” he says. “I just can’t wait to go to volunteer.”

Ask him why he does it, and his answer is immediate and personal. “I’ve just had a thing for the homeless. It’s a special place in my heart. It could be any of us living on the streets. It could be me, it could be you.”

Pat has lived in Arizona nearly his whole life, graduated from Northern Arizona University, and has been married for 50 years. When asked the secret to a long marriage, he doesn’t hesitate. “Two words: ‘Yes, dear’.” In his spare-time, he is a lover of music, especially classic rock, and enjoys playing the drums.

For anyone thinking about volunteering, he keeps it just as straightforward. “Come in. Get an interview. You’ll be working for some of the nicest people you’ve ever met. You won’t regret it.”

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

Bottled water

General purpose cleaning supplies

Clorox/Lysol wipes

Paper towels 

Mops and brooms

Pots and pans

Forks 

Food (urgent need: pasta sauce, PB&J, condiments, chips, rice, boxed milk, canned fruit, canned tuna, canned chicken, granola bars, fruit cups, canned chili, canned carrots, canned potatoes)

Twin, Full, Queen sheet sets 

Laundry Detergent 

Twin and Queen quilts

Bath towels

Hand towels

XL/2XL Women’s and Men’s Shirts, Pants, and Sweatshirts (urgent need)

Curly Hair Products

Diapers sizes 6-7

Have you ever wondered how you can ensure your support for our community continues long into the future? Many of our dedicated donors find great fulfillment in knowing their annual contributions will support A New Leaf not just today, but for generations to come.

One of the most impactful ways to achieve this is through endowing your annual gift.

How an Endowment Works

An endowment is a dedicated fund where the principal amount is invested, and only a portion of the investment earnings is spent each year. This creates a permanent source of funding that remains stable regardless of economic fluctuations.

For example, if you typically give $1,000 annually, you can establish a fund that generates that same $1,000 every single year in perpetuity.

The Math of Forever

Most nonprofit endowments are designed with a sustainable “spend rate”, typically around 4% to 5%, to ensure the fund grows over time and keeps pace with inflation.

To calculate the amount needed to endow your gift, you simply divide your annual contribution by the spending rate.

• Your Annual Gift: $1,000
• Target Spend Rate: 4% ($0.04)
• Required Endowed Total: $25,000

Ways to Establish Your Fund

You don’t necessarily have to write a check for the full amount today. Many donors choose to build their endowed fund over time or through a future gift:

• Multi-Year Pledges: You can contribute toward the endowment goal over a period of three to five years.
• Legacy Gifts: You can include a provision in your will or name A New Leaf as a beneficiary of an IRA or life insurance policy for the designated amount.
• IRA Charitable Rollovers: If you are 70½ or older, you can transfer funds directly from your IRA to jumpstart an endowment.

A Heartfelt Commitment

By endowing your gift, you transition from an annual supporter to a founding partner in our long-term stability. It is a powerful way to ensure that the programs and people you care about today will always have a foundation to lean on.

Interested in learning more or getting started? Email Suzanne Percy, Senior Charitable Giving Advisor, at spercy@turnanewleaf.org.

Great things are happening through strong community partnerships, and this is one worth celebrating. Support from Intel Corporation, including grants and employee giving, continues to create meaningful opportunities for children and youth served by our programs.

Intel has been a valued partner for several years, consistently investing in A New Leaf’s mission through its End-of-Year Bonus Grants, which support youth services at La Mesita Housing Community. Young residents participate in After School and Summer Programs for grades K–6, along with Teen Programming for grades 7–12. Community-wide activities also bring families together, helping foster a connected and supportive environment for residents of all ages.

Intel believes that “real opportunity starts when students get both the technology and the teaching that inspire them to think bigger.” La Mesita youth services participants gain access to experiences that build both academic and life skills. Activities focus on financial literacy, reading development, STEAM learning, and emotional wellness equipping youth with the tools to grow in confidence and capability. Access to technology, education, and enrichment opportunities is provided in a safe, supportive setting at no cost to families, thanks to community partners like Intel.

Thanks to Intel’s continued partnership, youth at La Mesita are better equipped to navigate challenges and pursue new ideas and possibilities. By combining hands-on support with access to technology and learning opportunities, Intel’s support is helping to inspire and empower the next generation while creating lasting, positive impact across the community.

Something simple is making a big difference in Mesa this month!

Now through May 9, our friends at The Narwhal Taproom & Bottleshop are hosting a water drive to support individuals and families served by A New Leaf.

As temperatures rise across the Valley, staying hydrated becomes increasingly important. For many of the individuals and families we serve, reliable access to clean drinking water is not guaranteed. For those experiencing homelessness or navigating crisis, something as basic as a case of water can provide comfort, safety, and stability during an especially vulnerable time.

The Narwhal Taproom & Bottleshop has found a creative and community-focused way to give back. For every donated case of water, guests will receive their first pour of draft beer for $1, making it easy to gather with friends while also making a real impact. It is a small gesture that adds up quickly when a community comes together.

If you are in the Mesa area, we encourage you to stop by The Narwhal Taproom & Bottleshop, bring a case of water, and be part of something that truly matters. Together, we can help ensure more families have access to the essentials they need to stay safe and healthy. 

The Narwhal Taproom & Bottleshop – 4576 S Power Rd #102, Mesa, AZ 85212