June 2023 Newsletter

Preston had a difficult childhood, surrounded by adults dealing with addiction, unemployment, and many other challenges. As the oldest in his family, he found himself taking care of himself and his siblings at a young age. Preston did his best to be a good example and look after his family, but it wasn’t easy.

“I grew up surrounded by a lot of poor examples. I developed a lot of behaviors and belief systems that didn’t serve me very well in life. I did my best to be a positive influence for my younger siblings, but when that stuff gets to you so young and so often, it’s tough to overcome.”

Preston did his best to stay on a good path, but as he reached adulthood the peer pressure became too much. He started drinking with his friends and dabbling in drugs. When he tried methamphetamine for the first time, everything changed.

“I grew up in a family where addiction runs rampant, I mean it was basically a normal thing in people’s lives. I watched my role models as a child steal and commit crimes to get what they needed. I really never thought I would do things like that, but when I got addicted to meth I fell into those same behaviors. 

“It really is a generational thing. When you’re conditioned to see those things as normal it doesn’t seem that horrible to live that way. Even if it feels horrible and you’re completely dependent on a substance.” 

As his addiction started to drive his behaviors, things got harder for Preston to control. He started to commit crimes to pay for this drug habit. Eventually, things caught up to him and Preston was arrested in his early 20’s. He ended up going to prison for several years. 

“When I went into prison, I wanted to change. I knew I never wanted to be back in a cell again, ever. So I did everything I could to reflect on myself, the things that I believed, and really challenged all of the behaviors I had grown up with. That’s when I found the Second Chance Center and connected with A New Leaf.” 

Thanks to donors like you, Preston was able to enroll in A New Leaf’s program, which helped him adjust to normal life after getting out of prison. He was provided with a dedicated case manager that understood his addiction challenges, received referrals to support services, and could get help with his housing. 

“Thanks to A New Leaf, I’ll be coming up on a full year sober while out of prison. I’m building a good life, and I’ve even found a career that means a lot to me. I work in an addiction treatment center, and that allows me to help other people facing the same type of challenges that I was facing.” 

“Honestly, A New Leaf just gave me all the things I needed to succeed when I got out. You have to remember, when you leave prison you’re starting your life over basically, except now most people won’t hire you or rent you an apartment. So it’s tough.” 

Because of people like you, Preston was able to get all of his needs met so that he didn’t have to quit his job and so that he wasn’t tempted to give up. From basic needs like food, to a new driver’s license, to affordable housing, Preston was able to start to put his new life together.

“When I came to this program I had a job, but I didn’t have any money yet for gas or food. I couldn’t do anything for myself really. When you’re trying to do things the right way, but you can’t even provide for yourself it can be really discouraging. If I hadn’t gotten that help, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my job. Who knows where I would be?”

You gave Preston a network of social, emotional, and logistical support to rebuild his life. It made all the choices that he already wanted to make for himself easier, and more achievable. As Preston celebrates one year out of prison, and one year of sobriety, he has high hopes for his future. 

“I feel good about my future. I’ve learned to practice a lot of humility. I have to accept myself where I’m at and that I’m a very imperfect person. I have to accept help when I need it, and say thank you. So truly, thank you for helping me get my life back.”

A New Leaf’s shelters rely on the generosity of volunteers and groups to provide meals for over 150 individuals each day. Volunteers and donors like you play a crucial role in ensuring that families, children, adults have nutritious food to eat every day. By preparing a meal, you will be sending a powerful message of care and compassion to everyone currently living in shelter. 

If you are interested in helping your local community, get involved today! You can start by applying to our urgently needs volunteer opportunities, we are currently recruiting for the following ongoing roles:

• Front Desk Support at shelters and offices
•  Lead Donation Center Volunteers
•  Shelter Support Volunteers
•  Administrative Volunteers
•  Project and Events Chair

A New Leaf welcomes anyone interested in serving their community to join us at one of our many program locations across the Valley. As a volunteer you will be making a direct impact in the lives of families and individuals in crisis. Please submit an application through our website or email us at Volunteer@turnanewleaf.org.

We want to give a huge shoutout to Dick’s Sporting Goods for their incredible donation! They generously provided several pallets of brand-new clothing for individuals staying in A New Leaf’s homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters. Thanks to their support, we can now offer our residents access to high-quality clothing, helping them feel comfortable and confident!

It’s heartwarming to see local businesses like Dick’s Sporting Goods stepping up to make a positive impact in our community. We are immensely grateful for their generosity and commitment to improving the lives of those in need. Together, we can make a difference! Join us in thanking Dick’s Sporting Goods for their compassion and support. Let’s continue to spread kindness and uplift one another.

A New Leaf depends on people like you to serve our local community. Food is made and beds are ready every night in shelters across the Valley because you step up to donate, volunteer, and get involved. Every now and then however, we start running low on some important items. Right now, these are some urgent needs that you can help provide: 

Every day there are more and more families in dire need of basic assistance from A New Leaf. They are in need of safety, food, clothing, and other basic necessities. Homelessness is affecting more communities than ever, but your kindness can have a significant impact. By donating urgently needed items, you have the power to help vulnerable households facing crises. Don’t hesitate, take action now to make a difference.

Whether in her home state of California, or her adopted states of Colorado and Arizona, Ann C. Flatten cared deeply about others in her community. Throughout her life, she generously gave of her time and treasure helping people and causes that were important to her. While raising five children with her husband Orris, Ann was an active volunteer in Yorba Linda, California. 

After their children finished High School, Ann earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology and put her degree to use, serving as Principal in her local school district. She continued serving the community upon retirement to Durango, Colorado, where she was active with a local adult education program and founded a program called “Music in the Mountains Goes to School.”  

After moving to Arizona in 2014, Ann once again gave her time and energy to help others, serving on several committees and boards in her retirement community of La Loma Village. And it was at La Loma where she was first introduced to A New Leaf by her neighbor and friend, Betty Lynch. “My dear friend Ann was the most beautiful, gracious, and generous person I’ve ever met. She shared everything with everyone. Each night for dinner, Ann would bring a bottle of white and red wine so that everyone at the table could join her but also have what they preferred. I learned a lot from Ann and miss her daily.”

Ann ensured that her legacy of caring would continue beyond her lifetime by including a generous gift from her estate for A New Leaf, where it will provide support to survivors of domestic violence. Remarking on Ann’s lifetime of generosity, CEO Michael Hughes said, Ann was an inspiration to so many people whose lives she touched throughout her lifetime. We’re honored that her legacy will continue helping others through A New Leaf.” 

If you have a passion for your community like Ann, take action like she did and leave a legacy for those in need. Reach out to Brad Harris, CFRE, CAP® Senior Director of Estate and Gift Planning in A New Leaf’s Philanthropy Department by phone at (602) 320-1185, email at bharris@turnanewleaf.org, or for more information click the button below:

Domestic violence is a the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Arizona. To help, A New Leaf operates three domestic violence shelters in the Valley, providing safety and support for more than 500 adults and children a year. With all of our resources spent on saving lives, A New Leaf often struggles to keep up with costly, but critically needed renovations and repairs.

This can be an opportunity for community donors and volunteers to make a big impact! Renovation projects help ensure that shelter facilities are welcoming and comfortable for families and individuals in crisis, while also also ensuring A New Leaf is able to dedicate all our funds to serving those in need. With 37 programs across the Valley, many of which operate in older buildings, there are many projects that can be championed by community volunteers and donors every year.

A New Leaf is proud to showcase two local companies who demonstrated their support of domestic violence survivors and their commitment to combatting homelessness.  These companies gifted a significant donation of time, expertise, and materials to entirely renovate the apartments at A New Leaf’s Autumn House Domestic Violence Shelter.

On May 11th, 75+ volunteers from Keller Williams Arizona Realty and several of their vendors spent the day transforming multiple spaces at Autumn House. The projects completed include repainting 3 apartment units, custom-fitting and installing 3 bathroom vanities, clearing out a full shed, landscaping, and reorganizing the basement where supplies for clients are stored. In total, over 600 volunteer hours and nearly $20,000 worth of in-kind goods and services were donated by Keller Williams and their associates.

On May 13th and 14th, the transformation of Autumn House continued as Interior Worx and several of their vendors graciously donated the materials, supplies and over 125 hours of expert labor to install all new waterproof, pet-friendly flooring in every apartment unit at Autumn House. 

This project replaced very old, worn and damaged tile and carpeted surfaces with state-of-the-art flooring designed to be more sanitary and easier to clean and maintain, especially important as Autumn House begins to allow family pets in shelter. Other vendors contributing to this project include Pacherre Carpet, R&P Flooring, and Mapei.

With the support of community partners like these, A New Leaf would never be able to provide shelter, safety, or support to survivors of abuse.  We count on incredible people like the folks at Keller Williams Arizona Realty to keep these critical community program operating successfully. Through this simple donation, these volunteers have given safety and comfort to hundreds of women, children, and others. Their generosity and impact are remarkable!

A New Leaf is grateful for Keller Williams Arizona Realty’s and Interior Worx’s support. For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Director of Community Engagement, click below:

A New Leaf is delighted to announce the date of our second annual With One Voice Luncheon. This incredible event will support local domestic violence shelters across the Valley, giving safety to over 4,000 survivors fleeing abuse a year. Attendees will be treated to a powerful speech by an A-list domestic violence advocate, a gourmet lunch, and “just a few” cocktails. 

While this event will certainly be a fun one, make no mistake: this is about saving lives. Over 100 people lost their lives in 2022 due to domestic violence in Arizona. We must take action to end this wave of heart-breaking violence in households all over the Valley. No child deserves to see or experience domestic violence of any kind. No person should ever be subjected to abuse. If you believe in these statements please see the event details below and consider attending:

A New Leaf invites passionate community members like you to join together as we speak out with one voice against domestic violence in our local community. You have the power to make a clear statement through your attendance: that no one should ever have to live in fear of abuse.