November 2024 Newsletter

Just a year ago, Jutoria was living in a four-door Dodge Charger with her five young children and her husband, Will. They parked in 24-hour restaurant lots, alternating as lookouts to avoid robbery or arrest. To bathe, the family had a gym membership. Every day was a struggle to get by.

“We moved to Arizona and got a great apartment, but in just one year, our landlord raised rent from $1,300 to $2,000. We couldn’t afford it and didn’t have savings to move elsewhere. After falling behind, we were evicted.”

Finding shelter was challenging, with few programs allowing families to stay together. If Jutoria wanted to enter a shelter, her children and husband would need to go to different locations. She refused to split up her family.

“We were already beaten down, and I wasn’t going to let our family get split up. So we stayed in the car for a few months. Will had a job, and I spent all day delivering food. We saved money, but not enough for a security deposit.”

Then A New Leaf contacted Jutoria with a shelter unit for larger families. The next day, she, Will, and their children moved in, gaining access to food, hygiene products, employment assistance, and more. They made the most of this opportunity.

“As soon as we were accepted, our goal was to become independent quickly. The shelter offers families up to 4 months of relief, but we only stayed for 2 weeks. A New Leaf helped us afford a deposit to rent a home, and we’ve been in that same home ever since—several years now.”

Jutoria and Will have established a stable and loving home for their children. Jutoria even joined A New Leaf’s Housing and Shelter division as a Case Manager, guiding others on their journey to overcome homelessness.

“This organization helped my family so much, and I want to give back. I think it means something when I can look someone in the eye and say, ‘I’ve been in your shoes, I know how you feel.’ It also shows my kids that even when things get tough, you can still push through and be a good person. I’m proud of that.”

November 5th marks National Volunteer Managers Day, a special day dedicated to recognizing the hard work, dedication, and passion of those who lead volunteer efforts. At A New Leaf, we are incredibly fortunate to have an outstanding team of volunteer managers who not only inspire and coordinate our volunteers but truly embody the spirit of service and community.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, A New Leaf is hosting a special Food Drive to ensure that families in crisis also have a chance to enjoy a festive, nourishing meal. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and make a significant impact by providing food to families experiencing homelessness.

We are inviting you to help by assembling food baskets that include an array of non-perishable items essential for a Thanksgiving dinner. Signature items include boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, dried gravy mix packets, canned vegetables (green beans, corn, peas), canned yams or cranberry sauce, cornbread mix, soup mix (cream of mushroom), powdered drink mix, canned pumpkin or fruit pie filling, pie crust mix, jello or pudding mix, and basic seasonings like salt and pepper.

Please ensure your donations are delivered by November 22nd 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.

You can help those experiencing homelessness this year. Our donation center is still looking for: 

As you make your plans for year-end gifts, you may want to make note of these dates to ensure that your gift will qualify for a federal tax deduction in 2024:

Checks sent by U.S. mail must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, December 31. Checks sent via other carriers must be received at our administrative office by noon on Tuesday, December 31st, and the shipping documentation must also be dated on or before Tuesday, December 31st.

Credit card gifts online must be made on or before Tuesday, December 31. Be sure to keep the emailed gift receipt showing the date and time of the gift.

Gifts of appreciated securities should be transferred by Friday, December 20 so the shares will be received by Monday, December 30. Please notify us of the number and type of shares when your brokerage transfers the shares. That will enable us to link the shares back to you and provide a timely and accurate gift acknowledgment for tax purposes.

A New Leaf is thrilled to celebrate the enduring support and generosity of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, which has been a pillar of community assistance since 1997, even before the D-backs played their first Major League game. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed more than $75 million to various causes across Arizona, demonstrating a deep commitment to making a difference in the community.

This year, we are honored to be the recipients of the Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Award, a prestigious recognition named after the D-backs’ General Managing Partner. This award is designed to make a substantial impact on community organizations, and for A New Leaf, it has done just that. Thanks to this support, we were able to acquire a much-needed box truck with a liftgate, significantly enhancing our ability to deliver critical resources to those in need.

The box truck has already become an invaluable asset for our organization, facilitating the pickup and delivery of approximately $1.9 million in donated items annually. These donations are crucial in supporting the more than 23,000 adults and children served by our programs each year. With this new vehicle, our staff can more efficiently transport larger items such as pallets of water, furniture, and equipment, ensuring that these essential goods reach our Donation Center and program sites effectively.

The Foundation team, along with Baxter the mascot, made the delivery of the new truck an event to remember, arriving with the truck loaded with a variety of basic needs items to bolster our stock at the Donation Center. We are immensely grateful for the D-backs’ continued generosity and support, which enables us to provide help and hope to those in need within our community.

Thank you, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, for your unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of Arizonans. Your partnership is truly making a significant impact.

For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Vice President of Philanthropy, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.

This past week, A New Leaf hosted the With One Voice Breakfast, a pivotal event dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence. Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this gathering was not only a tribute to the strength and resilience of survivors but also a crucial fundraiser to bolster the resources needed to aid their recovery and empowerment.

The With One Voice Breakfast brought together community members, leaders, and advocates in a show of solidarity and support for those who have endured domestic violence. This event served as a poignant reminder of the challenges survivors face and the critical role that community support plays in their journey towards healing and independence.

Thanks to the generosity of people like you, A New Leaf will be able to provide the extensive support services survivors need to get back on the path towards stability. Together, we are empowering survivors and working towards a safer, stronger community.