Meet Mark.
You changed his life.
Mark came to Arizona at the age of 46, searching for a good job. He had worked all of his life in construction and outdoor work, and never once had he been close to homelessness. But when he struggled to find work, Mark found himself on the streets with nowhere to go. This made finding work even harder, and Mark ended up homeless for 3 years.
“When you’re homeless it takes from you and takes from you until there’s nothing left and then it can even take your life. I was ready to just accept that.”
“When you’re homeless it takes from you and takes from you until there’s nothing left and then it can even take your life.”
While living on the streets, Mark met Lisa, a community advocate connecting those in need to resources like A New Leaf. He was reluctant to accept help at first, but ultimately accepted the help from Lisa.
“Man, I almost cried, I almost cried. I couldn’t believe it. I thought no one cared about me, that no one would help me.”
Within 2 weeks, Mark was placed into an apartment with A New Leaf while he got back on his feet. For the first time in over 3 years Mark was able to sleep in a bed, he could lock a door and feel safe, he even knew what he would eat for breakfast in the morning.
“I was shocked. It was so different from what I had known over the past three years. I just felt like I had a bit of dignity, after having all of it stripped from me. It meant a lot to me.”
“I just felt like I had a bit of dignity, after having all of it stripped from me.”
The day after he moved to La Mesita, staff got to work with Mark to plan for his future. With the help of A New Leaf’s case workers, Mark filed for permanent disability due to past injuries and won his case.
“It’s changed everything. Now I feel I can get back into the mainstream of society, pave my way you know. Having more purpose than just being hopeless, helpless, and homeless like I was.”
La Mesita has given Mark a sense of community and a place to feel safe. Even though he is single and has no family, when Mark leaves his apartment he talks to other residents and enjoys living here. He finally feels like he has a place in the world where he is wanted and valued.
“These people are my family now. I went without that for so long, I forgot what it felt like, but it sure feels nice. I can’t imagine my life without that feeling now.”
“Without you, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. I am so thankful for your support, it truly saved my life.”
Mark’s future looks brighter than ever, and with the ongoing support of his new “family” at La Mesita, and A New Leaf’s staff, he will never be homeless again.
“Without you, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. I am so thankful for your support, it truly saved my life.”