To our community,

National Family Month is here, and it’s important to recognize the vital role that families play in our local community. Families are the essential foundation that our community is built upon. They provide children with a sense of belonging, identity, and support. Family relationships are critical for healthy emotional and social development, and they help to shape an individual’s values, beliefs, and behavior.

National Family Month aims to promote strong family values and raise awareness of the challenges and issues faced by families today. Some families face financial stress, work-life balance, and conflicts within the family. The month of June provides an opportunity to address these issues and find ways to overcome them.

Families across the Valley are under unprecedented strain from rising living costs and inflation. Parents are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head. Children often go without meals and show up to school without the supplies they need to be successful. We have so much to do as a community to ensure that all families are able to thrive.

Thanks to generous supporters like you, A New Leaf is able to offer urgently needed assistance to these families. Not only do we provide food and shelter, we are also able to provide the healing and counseling many of these families need to recover from a crisis. With your support, A New Leaf will serve tens of thousands of families this year.

Thank you for helping to serve our neighbors in need. Without your donations of time, money, and support, families across the Valley would be on the streets with nowhere to go. A New Leaf counts on your kindness to make our community a safe place for families.

Sincerely,

Tanner Swanson

Communications Manager

A New Leaf

Joanna was going from job to job, trying to make ends meet, all while taking care of her two daughters. She was able to provide a stable living but an unexpected health problem left her family with nowhere to go. Joanna was rushed into surgery, but the damage was already done.

Strong family relationships have numerous emotional and social benefits. A supportive and positive family environment can help individuals feel loved, valued, and connected, which can have positive impacts on mental health. Here are some emotional and social benefits of strong family relationships:

• Emotional support: Strong family relationships provide emotional support to family members during difficult times. Family members can provide a listening ear, empathy, and comfort, which can help individuals cope with stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Emotional support from family members can also lead to increased feelings of self-worth and confidence.

• Sense of belonging: Strong family relationships help individuals feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. Family members can provide a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can be themselves and feel valued. This sense of belonging can lead to increased happiness and overall life satisfaction.

• Communication skills: Strong family relationships promote healthy communication skills. Family members learn to express their thoughts and feelings in a respectful and constructive manner. These communication skills can be useful in other relationships, such as friendships and romantic partnerships.

• Social support: Strong family relationships provide social support to individuals. Family members can help individuals navigate social situations and provide social connections that may be helpful in various aspects of life, such as finding a job or pursuing a hobby.

• Reduced stress: Strong family relationships can help reduce stress levels. Family members can provide emotional and practical support during times of stress, which can help individuals manage stress more effectively. Family members can also provide a sense of security and stability, which can help reduce stress levels over time.

What You Can Do to Help a Family in Need

• Offer emotional support: One of the most important ways to help a struggling family member is to offer emotional support. This can include listening without judgment, offering encouragement and validation, and simply being there for them when they need someone to talk to.

• Provide practical assistance: If your family member is struggling with financial or practical issues, you can offer assistance by helping them with tasks such as grocery shopping, cooking meals, or providing transportation.

• Help them access resources: There are many resources available to help families who are struggling, such as food banks, housing assistance programs, and mental health services. You can help your family member access these resources by doing research, making phone calls, or accompanying them to appointments.

• Offer financial assistance: If you are able to, you can offer financial assistance to your family member in the form of a loan or gift. However, it’s important to set clear expectations and boundaries around the assistance to avoid causing resentment or dependency.

• Encourage them to seek professional help: If your family member is struggling with mental health or addiction issues, it may be important for them to seek professional help. You can encourage them to seek therapy, counseling, or support groups, and offer to help them find a provider or make appointments.

A New Leaf’s Family Resources

Supervised Visitation Only: Provides visitation for families whose children are placed in the legal custody of the Department of Child Safety.

Nurturing Parenting Program: Offers short-term services to improve the parenting abilities of families through in-home and community-based support. 

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS): AHCCCS is Arizona’s Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility requirements vary depending on income, family size, and other factors.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income families to purchase food. Eligibility is based on income and household size.

Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES): The DES provides a variety of services to low-income families, including cash assistance, child care assistance, and employment services.

Arizona Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP provides assistance to low-income families to help pay for home heating and cooling expenses.

Community Action Agencies: Community Action Agencies are non-profit organizations that provide a variety of services to low-income families, including emergency assistance, food assistance, and housing assistance.

Arizona Food Banks: There are several food banks located throughout Arizona that provide free food to low-income families.

Arizona Housing Coalition: This organization provides resources and assistance to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.

Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH): Offers various programs to assist low-income families with housing. The programs include rental assistance, housing rehabilitation, and homebuyer assistance. Eligible families can apply for these programs online or in person at their local ADOH office.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federal program that helps low-income families pay their heating and cooling bills. In Arizona, the program is administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). Eligible families can apply for LIHEAP benefits online or in person at their local DES office.

The Arizona Family College Savings Plan: A state-sponsored college savings plan that helps families save for future education expenses. The plan offers tax benefits and investment options. Eligible families can enroll in the plan online or through a financial advisor.

Cook a family meal!

Choose a recipe that the whole family can make together and have a fun cooking night. This is a great way to bond over a shared activity and enjoy a delicious meal together.

Create a family tradition!

Start a new family tradition that the family can enjoy every year. This could be anything from a family game tournament to a special holiday celebration.