October 2026 Newsletter

When Renetta welcomed her third child, she hoped her growing family would enter a joyful new chapter. Instead, she would face unemployment, homelessness, and abuse. 

“I lost my job as a waitress during pregnancy. Unfortunately, my partner hadn’t had a job in months and didn’t have any money,” Renetta said. “So we had to survive on my savings.”

Renetta watched money she had worked to build for years disappear as she paid the bills for the entire household. 

When her savings were gone, the family lost their housing. With a newborn and two other children, Renetta moved between short-term rentals, motels, and sleeping in their car. 

“I had just had my baby and we were homeless. Completely homeless. It felt like the world had ended for us.” 

Each day became about survival. As pressure mounted, her partner became increasingly abusive. One night Renetta wasn’t sure she would survive the night if she stayed with him, and she made the decision to leave. 

“He was being violent and told us to leave. So, we did. I’ve been away ever since, and it was the best choice I made.” 

Renetta began reaching out for domestic violence resources. She was connected to A New Leaf’s domestic violence shelter. Here, she would finally have somewhere safe to live with her children. 

“For the first time in months, I didn’t have to worry,” Renetta said.

“I had the space to pull myself out of postpartum depression. I found a career that I liked. My kids were able to regularly attend school again. It was what we needed.”  

After a few months in shelter, Renetta signed up for A New Leaf’s Rapid Rehousing program which would place her into an apartment of her choice. 

“The program helped me get the security deposit, the down payment, even furniture,” she said. “But once we got in, I pay the rent and move ahead myself. It’s my home again, and my responsibility.” 

Today, Renetta’s children have a safe, familiar place to sleep, play, and simply be kids. The family has settled into a routine, and Renetta treasures ordinary evenings at home, whether they are playing board games, taking walks, or simply spending time together. 

“A New Leaf gave me a chance to escape a violent relationship and achieve independence. That’s a huge blessing.” 

Renetta is also building toward long-term independence. She was recently hired as a health advisor and is now enrolled in college. She knows there is still more she wants to accomplish, but when she looks at how far her family has come, the difference is remarkable.  

“I’m still on the journey, but I’m so much better than I was two years ago. A New Leaf truly transformed our lives.” 

Every year in remembrance of 9/11, hundreds of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come together to serve their community, supporting first responders and other critical service providers across the Valley. For the past four years, these volunteers have also generously given their time to A New Leaf, and we were so grateful to see them in action again this year! 

Three teams spread out across A New Leaf sites, including Autumn House and the East Valley Men’s Center, to make a big difference in just one day. Volunteers refreshed outdoor spaces, deep cleaned buildings, restored picnic tables, prepared meals, and collected clothing and other essentials. They also donated hundreds of handmade grocery bags and dental kits, 200 sack lunches, 25 casseroles, and more than 400 boxes of cereal—all to help make life a little easier and more comfortable for the people we serve. 

We want to especially recognize Ron and Maggie Fosson of the Mesa Central Stake, Bruce and Mary Kiene of the Mountain View Stake, and Steve Pothier and LeeAnn Freeman of the Lehi Stake for helping lead this incredible day of service. 

In total, these groups contributed 950 hours of service to our local community. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity, hard work, and continued support of A New Leaf over the years. We can’t wait to see what this partnership continues to make possible for families and individuals across the Valley! 

Do you have a group interested in volunteering? Click below! 

Current Donation Needs 

A New Leaf’s Donation Center is currently in need of new sheets and towels of all sizes, non-perishable food, and feminine hygiene products. These everyday essentials help provide comfort, dignity, and care for individuals and families rebuilding their lives after a crisis. 

With Halloween just around the corner, we are also collecting Halloween candy, goodie bags, and children’s costumes in a variety of sizes. Your donations help families in A New Leaf’s programs enjoy the fun and traditions of the season while navigating difficult circumstances. 

We want to help you make a difference in the way that works best for you! October 8 is DAF Day, a national day highlighting donor-advised funds and the many different ways people can support causes they care about. 

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is simply an account you set aside for charitable giving. You can add money to it over time, then choose when and where to make gifts to nonprofit organizations like A New Leaf. 

And with October marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month, now is an especially meaningful time to put your generosity into action. If you already have a DAF, your support can help survivors of domestic violence find safe shelter, compassionate support, and the resources they need to begin healing and rebuilding their lives. 

And a DAF is only one option. A New Leaf offers a variety of ways to contribute non-cash assets, providing a tax-savvy approach to philanthropy for big-hearted people like you. Depending on what works best for you, that could include gifts of stock, retirement assets, cryptocurrency, or other non-cash gifts. 

We want giving to feel simple, meaningful, and accessible. Exploring your options may help you find a way to give that works better for you while creating even more positive change in our community. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize survivors, raise awareness about relationship abuse, and strengthen the resources that help people find safety and begin again. 

A New Leaf is the Phoenix metro area’s largest provider of domestic and sexual violence support services, with seven programs serving approximately thousands of survivors each year. From emergency shelter and transitional housing to court advocacy, sexual violence services, and support for survivors with pets, our programs are designed to meet people at many different points along their journey. 

None of this work happens alone. We are deeply grateful to the donors, funders, volunteers, advocates, and community partners who stand beside survivors all year long. 

A special thank-you to the AKC Humane Fund, Greenawalt Foundation, In-N-Out Burger Foundation, John F. Long Foundation, Lanter Family Foundation, LB Charitable Foundation, Resolution Copper, Season for Sharing, SRP, Sun City Rotary Foundation, Sunrise Foundation, Transource, Desert Diamond Casinos, West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop, Sundt Foundation, West Valley Mavericks Foundation, and Westgate Foundation for their generous support of A New Leaf’s domestic violence programs. 

There’s Still Time to Join Us at With One Voice 💜 

A New Leaf’s 2026 With One Voice Breakfast is just a few weeks away, and there’s still time to register! Join us for a meaningful morning during Domestic Violence Awareness Month as our community comes together to stand with survivors and help ensure they have access to safety, stability, and hope. 

Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 AM 

The Farm at South Mountain 

6106 S. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85042 

You’ll hear powerful stories of survival, learn more about how A New Leaf supports nearly 3,000 survivors each year, and see how you can help provide safe shelter, legal advocacy, emergency services, and ongoing support to people experiencing domestic violence. 

With One Voice is free to attend, with an opportunity to make a donation during the event. We hope you’ll spend the morning with us and be part of a community committed to helping survivors heal and move forward. 

Register today: https://turnanewleaf.org/events/fundraising/withonevoicebreakfast/  

Save the Date for Camaraderie Gala 2027!

You’re invited to a spectacular Monte Carlo-inspired evening with A New Leaf! Join us for lively entertainment, wonderful company, and a celebration of what your generosity makes possible for our community. 

Camaraderie is more than a memorable night out. Your support helps provide safe shelter for survivors of domestic violence, a place to stay for families experiencing homelessness, and the support people need to move from crisis toward stability. Together, we can help our neighbors build brighter futures. 

Saturday, February 27, 2027 
Arizona Biltmore • Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom 
2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016 

Registration opens in January. Mark your calendar—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Questions? Contact kdrewes@turnanewleaf.org or (480) 254-6525.