2025 Volunteer Appreciation Week
To all of our volunteers and interns,
As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to take this opportunity to share our heartfelt thanks for the incredible time, energy, and compassion you have given over the past year. Your dedication to helping those most in need continues to create a lasting impact on thousands of families and individuals across the Valley.
This year, our community of volunteers generously gave a total of 29,925 individual hours in service to those experiencing crisis. That’s 29,925 hours spent serving meals at shelters, sorting donations, organizing toy drives, assisting with events, and creating moments of kindness for people navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Your support ensures that urgently needed shelter, food, and vital resources reach those who need them most. You’ve brought comfort to people in distress, offered hope to families facing homelessness, and helped build a stronger, more compassionate community.
It is truly powerful to witness the difference that can be made when people like you step forward to serve. Your willingness to share your time and talents reflects the very best of humanity and demonstrates the transformative power of volunteerism.
We also want to extend special thanks to our interns, who have contributed not only their time, but their curiosity, drive, and passion for service. Your presence has helped advance A New Leaf’s mission in meaningful ways.
From all of us at A New Leaf, thank you for everything you do. Your generosity is a beacon of hope, and we are endlessly grateful to have you on this journey with us. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our neighbors in need.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Michael Hughes
Chief Executive Officer
A New Leaf
Housing and Shelter Volunteers Gave 1,909 Individuals Hours of Time!
Director of Shelter Services Jim Diaz shares his appreciation for all the work that volunteers and interns put into programs across the Valley!
At A New Leaf, our Housing and Shelter programs are a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis—and that lifeline is made possible by you. This past year, you gave 1,909 hours of your time to serve warm meals, organize donations, support daily operations, and most importantly, extend kindness and dignity to those seeking safety and stability. Your presence in our shelters is more than helpful—it’s healing.
You’ve created a place where people feel seen, respected, and cared for during their most vulnerable moments. Your compassion has brought light into dark times, showing residents that they are not alone and that a brighter future is within reach. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and for the hope you bring into every space you serve. Thank you for making home possible.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Volunteers Gave 1,430 Individual Hours of Time!
A New Leaf’s CAAFA Program Manager, Alicia Misilao, shares her appreciation for volunteers and interns, in honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week!
When someone escapes domestic or sexual violence, they are beginning a courageous journey toward healing—and thanks to you, that journey is filled with compassion and care. In 2024, you devoted 1,430 hours to supporting survivors through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. From serving meals to preparing welcome baskets, from organizing donations to lending a listening ear, your presence has made our shelters feel safe, comforting, and full of hope.
Your kindness has helped survivors regain their sense of dignity and strength. You have shown them that they are not alone, and that a supportive community stands behind them every step of the way. We are deeply thankful for your service—because of you, survivors can begin to rebuild their lives in an environment filled with respect, empathy, and unwavering support. Thank you for changing lives.
Financial Empowerment Volunteers Gave 12,726 Individual Hours of Time!
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, A New Leaf’s MesaCAN Program Coordinator Diana Acuna and VITA Program Manager Puja Sachan shared their appreciation for the volunteers in programs like MesaCAN, VITA, and other Financial Empowerment programs.
Financial stability means freedom, opportunity, and peace of mind—and thanks to you, our incredible Financial Empowerment volunteers, thousands of families are now on a stronger financial path. In 2024, you gave an astounding 12,726 hours to helping individuals reduce debt, create budgets, and build financial literacy. Your time, knowledge, and guidance have empowered people to move from crisis to confidence, laying the groundwork for long-term success.
Your impact reaches far beyond numbers. You’re giving people the tools to make informed decisions, the support to navigate financial stress, and the encouragement to believe in their future. Your commitment is helping families across the Valley build lasting security and stability. We are so grateful for your dedication—because of you, more people are not just surviving, but truly thriving. Thank you for being a guiding light on the road to financial empowerment.
Administrative Volunteers Gave 11,331 Individual Hours of Time!
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, A New Leaf’s Director of Community Engagement Leneya Perschka and former Volunteer and Intern Program Supervisor Raven Jordan Yosick share how thankful they are for volunteers and interns in programs across the Valley!
At A New Leaf, every act of service begins with a strong foundation—and you, our amazing administrative volunteers, are that foundation. In 2024, you dedicated an outstanding 11,331 hours to supporting the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our programs running. From entering vital data to planning impactful events and assisting with fundraising efforts, your contributions have helped us reach more people with greater efficiency and care.
Even if you don’t always see the direct outcomes of your work, please know this: you are making a profound impact. Your time and talents ensure that every shelter stays organized, every program operates smoothly, and every family gets the help they need. Thank you for your dedication and attention to detail. You are a crucial part of our mission, and our success simply wouldn’t be possible without you.
Foster Care, Education, and Family Support Volunteers Gave 2,529 Individual Hours of Time!
To celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, A New Leaf’s Foster Care Manager, Kristina Gonzalez, shares why volunteers and interns are so important!
Every child deserves to grow up knowing they are valued, supported, and loved—and because of you, our incredible Foster Care and Family Support volunteers, so many children and families have felt exactly that. In 2024, you gave 2,529 hours of your time to create moments of joy, stability, and connection for those who need it most. Whether you were helping with schoolwork, organizing family events, or simply offering a caring presence, your impact has been profound.
Your compassion is changing lives. You’re helping children feel safe and seen, supporting families during difficult transitions, and reminding everyone involved that they are not alone. The time and care you give are opening doors to brighter futures and building a sense of belonging that every child deserves. Thank you for your unwavering support—we are so grateful to have you as part of our A New Leaf family.