March 2024 Newsletter

At 58 years old, starting over is going to be hard for Ken. As an incredibly independent, hardworking, and driven man, he never expected to find himself at a men’s homeless shelter.

“Homelessness was a shock. You never expect it to happen to you.”

As a certified mechanic, a journeyman drywall hanger, a professional painter, he can fix or build about anything. After a difficult season of work that left Ken financially stretched, Ken eventually found himself without a home.

“It was definitely the lowest point in my life. I had gotten by just fine for 58 years, and then this happened.”

Desperate to put a roof over his head, Ken called A New Leaf and was immediately placed into the East Valley Men’s Center, a 105-bed shelter for homeless men made possible by donors like you. Once he found shelter, his life changed forever.

“Asking for help was hard, but I’m so glad I did. When I got to the shelter, the staff worked with me right away to set goals. I was going to get back to work in my trade, get transportation – and really just get myself together.”

Ken started work with a good friend’s business called Expert Handyman, and business was picking up, allowing him to buy a bike and save for a new apartment. Ken has hopes for a brighter future when he leaves the shelter.

With the help of staff at the shelter, Ken has found a job, he has even found work here and there with Expert Handyman. Despite the challenges, Ken feels hopeful about his future, and thankful for the help you gave him.

“Without you, I wouldn’t have a roof over my head. I wouldn’t be able to eat. I wouldn’t have been able to get back to work. Thanks to you, I’m gonna be alright. I’m gonna get through this.”

A New Leaf would love to spotlight the incredible work done by the volunteers at Red Mountain Bike Group! These dedicated volunteers have been making a significant difference in the lives of homeless men at the East Valley Men’s Center. 

Over ten years ago, the Red Mountain Bike Group was established with a mission to not only provide bicycles but also teach bike maintenance skills to help individuals gain a greater sense of independence and mobility. With the help of a local bike shop, these volunteers were equipped with the knowledge they needed to help build and repair bikes for East Valley Men’s Center’s residents. On behalf of the Red Mountain Community Church, these amazing volunteers aim to support these men getting back on their feet.

You can help these volunteers get the parts they need to change lives. The Red Mountain Bike Group is looking for:

• Tubes- various sizes 26″, 27 1/2″, 29″
• Cables for breaks and shifters
• Chains
• Shifter pods

If you are interested in helping your local community, get involved today! A New Leaf is looking for Shelter Support Volunteers at four locations: East Valley Men’s Center (EVMC), West Valley Housing Assistance Center (WVHAC), Faith House (FH), and the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA). As a Shelter Support Volunteer, you will play a vital role in helping those who seek shelter, food, and support. Your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of so many families.

Here are some of the important tasks you’ll be involved in:

• Helping with food donation pick-ups and meal preparations.
• Sorting and organizing donations, including food, clothes, and toys.
• Providing directions and essential information to shelter visitors.
• Assisting with event preparations and clean-ups.
• Keeping our facilities clean, sanitized, and organized.
• Completing assigned tasks from the shift list, based on location.
• Providing valuable support to our administrative team by assisting with tasks like copying, scanning, answering phones, and greeting visitors.

By volunteering, you’ll not only help those in need but also gain valuable skills and connect with other volunteers like you. Importantly, A New Leaf will provide you with the training and skills needed to serve those most in need in your community.

Your commitment as a volunteer at A New Leaf will make a lasting impact. Your service ensures that shelter, food, and hope are given to those who need it most. Please submit an application through our website or email us at Volunteer@turnanewleaf.org.

This month, we want to say a huge thank you to Alpha Chi Omega for all the amazing donations they’ve made to A New Leaf’s donation center. They’ve been buying and sending items from our Amazon Wishlist all month long! Their kindness has brought a lot of happiness and help to people who need it the most.

Alpha Chi Omega’s donations are very important for people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and other heartbreaking challenges. The items they’ve given like clothes, cleaning products, and toys for kids, mean so much to the community. These gifts show people that others care about them and want to help them feel better and get back on their feet.

We’re really grateful to Alpha Chi Omega for their help. A New Leaf wants to say thank you for being so kind and for helping us make a difference in so many lives. Your big hearts bring so much hope to your neighbors in need.

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

These donations can make any new place feel like a home. Those transitioning out of homelessness can  focus on getting back on their feet without having to worry about basic necessities. Basic household items can be taken for granted, but you can change the lives of thousands of families and individuals with just one donation. 

For your convenience, our donation center (2245 W. Ella Street, Building A Mesa, AZ 85201) is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm, and on Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to call us at (480) 464-4648 or email us at donationcenter@turnanewleaf.org.

Every year 2.5 million seniors decide to stop their life insurance because it doesn’t seem useful, or is too expensive. Life circumstances change, and there are countless reasons that you may not want your policy anymore. While easy to forget about, these insurance policies are an asset you own.

Most people think that their only option is to stop making the premium payments and walk away from the policy (lapsing the policy) or cashing out of the policy entirely (surrendering the policy). Instead of walking away completely, you can get something more out of your policy by selling it completely.

Through selling your policy, also known as a life settlement, you receive a lump-sum of cash, and the purchaser takes over the ownership of the policy. On average, making a life settlement nets 3 – 5 times the value of cashing out. This lump-sum gives you the freedom of being able to choose where your money goes.

The proceeds from this settlement go towards what YOU want. This can be anything from purchasing something new for yourself, or giving to a charitable organization of your choice.

Please consult your insurance and financial advisors before considering a policy sale, as they are not always the best fit for everyone. If you have an unwanted, unneeded or unaffordable life insurance policy, life settlements offer a good opportunity to turn your asset into more money than the other alternatives.

Since 1987, Valley Partnership has been an advocate for responsible development. Each year, this amazing organization selects a nonprofit to receive facility enhancements donated and constructed by Valley Partnership members/volunteers called The Community Project Day of Action. A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center was lucky enough to be the recipient of this generous opportunity!

A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center (EVMC) serves 500 single men each year who are struggling to overcome homelessness and instability. Men arrive at EVMC in a state of crisis, many times with only the clothes on their back. Residents receive critically needed emergency shelter, case management, and support services. These men also are given connections to community resources to help ensure they never have to live without a roof over their head again.

The Community Project Day of Action was life changing for EVMC residents. In one day, the outside areas at EVMC were transformed from dirt and gravel into welcoming outdoor community spaces. Hundreds of volunteers built planter boxes, painted a mural, laid pavers, and did so much more. Valley Partnership volunteers made what was once a place to stay, a place to call home.

This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and community involvement to make a positive difference. We are so grateful for the generosity of Valley Partnership members that provide a brighter future for all. You can see the transformation of EVMC here!

A New Leaf wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to Valley Partnership for giving these residents a safer, more comfortable place to live! For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Director of Community Engagement, at lbode@turnanewleaf.org.

The annual Camaraderie Gala is THIS MONTH! You still have time to secure your tickets at TurnANewLeaf.org/CAM24. At this year’s “Night in Positano” Camaraderie Gala, you can bid to win prizes, while also supporting those experiencing homelessness. You could even bid to win a dinner and baseball game experience with Arizona Diamondbacks legend, Luis Gonzalez! 

The annual Camaraderie Gala is so important for families experiencing heartbreaking circumstances. All proceeds from the gala go towards those experiencing homelessness by giving shelter, food, and safety to those who need it most. Your participation makes a difference.

All of this is possible due to wonderful people just like you. A New Leaf would also like to thank our Gala sponsors for supporting those in need this year.

You still have a chance to reserve a table and participate in a night of fun! Secure your tickets and tables at TurnANewLeaf.org/CAM24. Share the excitement with your friends and family, and help those in your community at this unforgettable gala!

For any questions or assistance please reach out to me, mschnepf@turnanewleaf.org!