A New Leaf

Since 2008, the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake of East Mesa has played a pivotal role in supporting the East Valley Men's Center by generously donating meals to men in need. This partnership exemplifies true community spirit and the power of sustained, collective effort. Every donation from volunteers brings comfort and a sense of community to those we serve. While not every East Mesa stake meal donor is pictured, we want to thank the various members who rotate in serving, ensuring that the support is continuous and that many have the opportunity to contribute. We are immensely grateful to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stake of East Mesa for their unwavering commitment and kindness. Your contributions over the years have not only nourished bodies but have also nurtured hope and strength within our community. Thank you for being an integral part of our mission to provide stability and support to those facing difficult times. Your dedication to giving back is a profound reminder of the impact that compassionate community action can have. We look forward to continuing this wonderful relationship and are thankful for every meal, every volunteer hour, and every moment of support you have shared.

Dave was born on the Navajo reservation to modest means. He knew that if he wanted to succeed, he needed structure and a chance to go to college. In 1982 Dave joined the United States Marine Corps, planning to be a machinist and learn valuable trade skills. However, with the invasion of Grenada in 1983, Dave was pulled from his unit and put into infantry. Dave was put into some of the most dangerous areas during the war and saw substantial combat. He came home in 1986 with acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. “I love my country and I have no regrets about serving, but it’s hard coming back to civilian life. Where do I fit in… where do I go?” For some time, Dave was able to cope, but after divorce left him without a home or the support of a partner things got hard. He also retired after working 25 years in construction, losing the distraction that his work provided. “I ended up homeless for six years. It was a hard time in my life, not having a safe place to sleep, to shower, to just be human.” Eventually Dave found a social worker willing to help him, and was able to get stable housing, counseling, and medical assistance. With pre-existing conditions, Dave was especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. “When I finally got the help I needed, everything changed. It gave me hope that I could survive, that my life wasn’t over yet. It saved my life.”

This morning, we had the wonderful opportunity to share A New Leaf's mission and impact with viewers across Arizona, thanks to a feature segment on Sonoran Living, aired by ABC15 Arizona. We are immensely grateful for Terri Ouellette's interview with Laura Bode, A New Leaf's Vice President of Philanthropy. This interview highlighted the critical services A New Leaf provides to thousands of people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence across the Valley. Laura emphasized A New Leaf’s commitment to meeting the immediate needs of every client, as well as ensuring every person we serve has a sustainable path to stability and self-sufficiency. We extend our deepest appreciation to Sonoran Living and ABC 15 for shining a light on these important issues. Your collaboration is invaluable to the community we serve. Thank you, Sonoran Living and ABC 15, for your partnership and dedication to spreading awareness about local nonprofits like A New Leaf. Together, we can continue to make a profound difference, offering hope and essential services to those who need it most.

A New Leaf is incredibly grateful to Little Caesars Pizza for their unwavering support and generosity to the East Valley Men's Center. As a consistent donor, Little Caesars has provided countless hot, delicious pizzas to the families and individuals in our shelter programs, bringing comfort and a sense of community through their thoughtful donations. Their commitment to serving those in need extends beyond just food; it’s about bringing joy to our residents. These meals are a reminder to our men that they are valued and supported by their community as they work towards rebuilding their lives. Thank you, Little Caesars, for your dedication to giving back to the community. Your efforts make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of people who rely on A New Leaf for support and sustenance. We are deeply thankful for your partnership and the positive impact you continue to create. You can watch this short video to see the direct impact you make on your community.

As the new school year approaches, teacher shortages continue to persist, but recent findings suggest promising improvements that offer a ray of hope for schools and communities. According to an AZ Mirror article, significant efforts and initiatives are beginning to show signs of improvement. While 30% of teacher positions were unfilled at the beginning of the last school year, some districts are now seeing positive changes. Tucson Unified School District, for example, reports 164 classroom openings, a reduction from 300 at the same time last year. Deer Valley Unified School District is nearing full staffing, and Tempe Union High School District has only one opening left to fill, compared to five at this point last year. These advancements are critical as they directly affect the educational environment and the future of our students. The factors contributing to the shortage, including low pay and challenging working conditions, are being addressed through various measures aimed at enhancing recruitment and retention. Through collaborations with educational institutions and community partners, A New Leaf strives to support not only the children in our programs but also the broader educational landscape in Arizona. By breaking down barriers to education and supporting our teachers, we can help foster a learning environment where both students and educators thrive. https://lnkd.in/giBxhbXg

On Women's Equality Day, we honor the remarkable progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality. Yet, we also recognize that the journey towards full equality is far from over. At A New Leaf, we are committed to playing our part in this ongoing mission. This day serves as a reminder of the struggles women have faced and continue to confront. It's an opportunity to acknowledge the gender disparities that persist, from the wage gap to underrepresentation in leadership roles. In our local community, we see the resilience and strength of women every day. Many face unique challenges, including those related to domestic violence, housing instability, and financial insecurity. A New Leaf stands by these women and is proud to serve them throughout all their different journeys. This Women's Equality Day, let's celebrate the achievements of women while rededicating ourselves to the cause of true equality

The partial opening of a new homeless shelter in west Phoenix has made about 65 beds available in a temporary building and converted two shipping containers, with plans to add approximately 75 more in the coming weeks. The shelter, once completed, will boast a capacity for about 280 people. Despite ongoing construction, city officials have begun to offer some beds at the new facility on 71st Avenue, ensuring that more individuals can find respite from the dangerous summer heat. “We’re really happy to open, even to this half-capacity, to get these much-needed beds online in the hottest part of the summer,” commented Rachel Milne, director of Phoenix’s Office of Homeless Solutions. At A New Leaf, we continue working towards enhancing and expediting services that can save lives during extreme weather conditions. The soft launch of this new shelter is a beacon of hope and a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to support our community’s most vulnerable. As construction progresses, we look forward to the completion of this vital facility and the broader impact it will have. https://lnkd.in/gHEjCpF9

The development of a new waitlist for child care assistance in Arizona jeopardizes thousands of families who urgently need help paying for childcare. As reported by AZFamily, thousands of families are now facing significant delays in receiving help with child care costs. This development puts enormous strain on working parents and highlights the broader challenges of affordability and accessibility in child care services. With the demand for child care assistance dramatically outpacing the available funding, many families find themselves caught in a difficult situation. The waitlist not only complicates the daily lives of these families but also impacts their economic stability and ability to work. Currently, the waiting times can vary greatly, with many families unsure of when they will receive the necessary support. A New Leaf, along with other nonprofits across the Valley, are deeply concerned about the implications of this waitlist. We are committed to advocating for increased resources and support to ensure that every family has access to the child care they need. https://lnkd.in/gDFHe5Qk

We're Hiring!! Our Homeward Bound Family Shelter is looking for a compassionate and dedicated Bilingual Case Manager. If you have a passion for helping others, are fluent in English and Spanish, and want to be part of a team that provides crucial support to those experiencing homelessness, this opportunity is for you! 🌐 Apply Now: https://ow.ly/o7TE50T5q0J Make an impact. Share, refer or apply today and be the change our community needs! #JobOpening #CaseManager #Bilingual #SocialServices #HomewardBound #JoinOurTeam #PhoenixJobs

We are immensely grateful to Santander Consumer USA Foundation for their renewed investment in promoting educational and economic mobility within our community! Their generous support this year enables low- to moderate-income households to access vital services through A New Leaf’s BankWork$ and Assets to Opportunity programs. BankWork$® is a comprehensive, free 8-week career training program that prepares participants, like these recent graduates, for meaningful employment in the financial services industry. Assets to Opportunity is a matched savings program that makes post-secondary education more accessible to qualifying individuals with an 8:1 match of their own savings. Thank you, Santander Consumer USA Foundation, for supporting A New Leaf’s mission of “Helping Families…Changing Lives!” For more information on BankWork$, Assets to Opportunity, and other free programs and services, please visit turnanewleaf.org.