September 2022 Newsletter

Hello to all supporters of A New Leaf!

I want to personally thank you for all that you’ve done this summer. Thanks to you, thousands of families and individuals experiencing homelessness found shelter from the heat. Hundreds of survivors of domestic violence found safety and security as they worked towards healing and independence. And hundreds of children were able to return to school with a backpack full of supplies, ready to learn. 

Kind people like you have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors and make sure that our community looks out for those going through hard times. It’s given me so much hope that we’ll be able to overcome the challenges that we are all sure to face this fall and into the new year. 

If you’re like me, you’ve seen rent prices skyrocketing, food prices soaring, and all of the other costs of everyday living going up. It’s been incredibly hard on our community, for families and individuals. More people are calling A New Leaf for help than ever before and we’re doing our best to help everyone that contacts us. 

But we need you to stay engaged, and to keep your local community in mind this holiday season. It can be so easy to be swept up in the errands and holidays of this time of the year, but your kindness and service to the community is so very important. 

Volunteer when you are able to. Make a donation if you have the means. Keep showing those in need that they are not alone, whether they are facing homelessness, domestic violence, or another challenge.

Sincerely,

Joe Dulin

Chief Philanthropy Officer

A New Leaf

James was disabled and on a fixed income when he went to renew his apartment lease and was shocked that his rent had gone up 50%. James couldn’t afford it and was pushed onto the streets. Thanks to you, James got safe shelter and was able to find an affordable apartment!

James has been on disability and in chronic pain for nearly 5 years now. His long career in construction and large machinery had taken a greater toll on his body than he ever thought it would, and although he had planned to retire, the costs of his medical care made that impossible.

“I spent all my money on trying to get better, and now I haven’t even been able to see a doctor in three years because of how much it costs. I can’t even pay for prescriptions, so I have to use ibuprofen to manage my pain.”

Despite this, James had managed to keep a roof over his head and food on the table. However, with rapidly rising rents and a fixed income, that changed very quickly. When James went to renew his lease, it had inflated from $800 a month to $1,200 a month.

“I may as well have been kicked out, I could never afford that. I had lived there for years, and now all of a sudden I had to leave. It just felt wrong.” James stayed with friends, sleeping on couches and floors, while he looked for a new place. But after a few weeks, he had nowhere else to go and was facing homelessness. 

“It was really hard on me. I can be a very emotional man, and knowing I didn’t have anywhere to go just hurt. When you don’t have a home, you start to feel like you don’t have a future – and that is very much how I felt.” 

Knowing he couldn’t sleep on the streets due to his medical conditions, James started calling shelters around the Phoenix area to see if he could find a place to stay while he tried to find a long term place to stay. Eventually, he found A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center. 

“It was a huge blessing. I wish I didn’t need help like this, but what else is an old guy like me supposed to do? Especially when I can barely work as it is. This place saved me.” Now James is working with his caseworker to make plans for finding more affordable housing when he leaves. He is also working on his budgeting skills, and seeking higher paying work that can accommodate his health conditions. 

“I feel hopeful for the first time in a long time. We’ll see what happens for me in time, but right now it seems like I’ll be alright. I’m just thankful for the help. Hopefully I’ll make it and I won’t have to be back here again. As much as I like this place, I don’t like homelessness, I’ll tell you that much.”

Contributed by:

Tanner Swanson

Communications Manager

A New Leaf

This July our Volunteer Team sent out the Volunteer Satisfaction Survey to all our individual volunteers, interns, and group volunteer participants. This survey received a phenomenal response and gave incredible feedback that we plan to use to improve our volunteer program. We are so grateful to all those who participated and provided feedback.

A New Leaf values our volunteers and interns, as well as those that stay with us and accrue experience, as they make a huge impact on the organization as a whole. The Volunteer Team evaluated the results and developed action plans to make improvement where volunteers made suggestions. You can review the feedback and responses below:

Americorp VISTA Opportunities

A New Leaf’s Volunteer Program is partnering with the Arizona Food Bank Network for the Americorps VISTA Program to create unique learning and working opportunities! We are offering positions in the East and West Valley focused on coordinating and designing meal programs for key housing and shelter programs. To view these opportunities and apply, please click the links below:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Opportunities

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in the West Valley, assisting low-income households with filing their taxes free of charge has begun their volunteer recruitment! Available roles include:

Greeters/Screeners

Tax Preparers

Site Coordinators

Instructors

Interpreters

This program saves low-income households millions of dollars each year through free tax preparation, and by ensuring households get their maximum return. This enormous community effort requires over 100 generous volunteers to give their time and talents to help their community. Apply to be a VITA volunteer today!

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in participating in other volunteer opportunities, we are currently recruiting for the following ongoing roles:

· Financial Wellness Mentors ·
· Shelter Support at the East Valley Men’s Center ·
· Administrative Volunteers ·
· MSW and BSW Field Instructor Volunteer Supervisors for Intern Supervision ·
· Special Project and Special Event Volunteers ·

For those looking for group volunteer opportunities or donation drive efforts, we are currently looking for those able to donate meals at A New Leaf’s domestic violence and homeless shelters, groups able to participate in school supply drives, and those seeking to host holiday drives during the fall season.

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 websites or email us at Volunteer@turnanewleaf.org.

Contributed by:

Raven Jordan Yosick

Volunteer Program Supervisor

A New Leaf

The fall season is nearly upon us and A New Leaf is planning on helping tens of thousands of people in need over the next 4 months. But to do that, we need your help to raise the materials needed to help families and individuals facing homelessness, domestic violence, and other heart-breaking challenges. 

With more families facing financial uncertainty and a rocky economy, A New Leaf’s programs continue to see more and more families and adults in need. Our Donation Center is in most need of Halloween seasonal supplies (costumes, candy, giftbags), new underwear for children and adults, and more. Below is a listing of the items most in need of being donated over the next month:

• Men’s underwear and socks
• Women’s underwear and socks
• Children’s underwear and socks
• Children’s clothing of all sizes
• Halloween materials and give aways
• Halloween gift bags

• Children’s clothing of all sizes
• Halloween materials and give aways
• Halloween gift bags

Donation drives are critical to A New Leaf’s programs. They provide the most essential needs for the children, individuals, and families who are most in need in our community. You can help make sure that every family facing homelessness gets the help they need to get back on their feet and find housing. Together we can end homelessness and make sure families have a stable home.

Contributed by:

Bridget Talty

Senior Community Engagement Coordinator

A New Leaf

Don gives through a Charitable Gift Annuity!

 

Don, age 70, is a monthly donor to A New Leaf who is passionate about helping homeless veterans. Since retiring in 2017, he has volunteered with his men’s group at church to serve meals at our East Valley Men’s Center.

 

Don was looking for an additional source of income that would be reliable no matter what the market was doing. He was looking to save on taxes, and he wanted his support of A New Leaf to continue beyond his lifetime.

 

A friend told Don about a gift annuity he had set up with his favorite charity, funded with stock. Don liked the idea. Working with his charitable giving advisor at A New Leaf and a reputable third party, he set up a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) for himself. Now he will receive an additional $4,000 annual payment for life and the remainder will endow his current giving to A New Leaf in perpetuity.

Did you know there are ways to give to A New Leaf that provide income back to you? One example is through a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA).

With a Charitable Gift Annuity, you can donate cash, securities, or other appreciated assets in exchange for guaranteed fixed payments during your lifetime. The remaining assets then go to A New Leaf. This is a great way to increase income during retirement for yourself and up to one beneficiary, while receiving tax benefits and creating your charitable legacy.

Charitable Gift Annuity payout rates recently went up, so you may be able to increase your guaranteed income even more, regardless of future economic conditions.

Make a Gift and Save on Taxes Today!

We are here to help with charitable planning strategies that can benefit you as well as A New Leaf. Contact Brad Harris at (602) 320-1185 or bharris@turnanewleaf.org for more information about giving gifts that pay income or to request a sample gift illustration.

Contributed by:

Brad Harris

Senior Director of Estate and Gift Planning

A New Leaf

This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please consult an attorney or financial advisor to determine which strategies are best suited to your circumstances.

A New Leaf’s Rapid ReHousing Program Offers Help

 

A New Leaf’s Rapid Re-Housing Program uses a Housing First approach with the immediate goal of getting people back into permanent housing as quickly as possible. Then case managers work together with each family to address their unique challenges to stability, such as employment, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and education.

 

Challenges can be complicated and numerous, but case management and financial assistance play a critical role in supporting families as they make a fresh start and work through barriers to long-term stability.

 

Rent and utility financial assistance, case management, employment support, budget coaching, and referrals for other services are provided for up to 12 months. Eligible participants must be willing to work or have other income benefits and demonstrate the ability to manage their rent obligations independently once assistance has ended to maintain long-term housing stability. 

The Rapid Re-Housing Program provides critical support for households to address barriers to maintaining stability and to ensure their basic needs are met, including providing Essential Living Kits that are customizable for each family’s needs, and range in cost from $300 to $500.

Items include dishes, pots, pans, utensils, small appliances, towels, toiletries, bed linens, pillows, alarm clocks, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, items for infants/toddlers if needed such as highchairs, boosters, strollers, and diapers, air mattresses if needed, and other supplies.

Gateway Bank is helping stabilize families with contributions to provide Essential Living Kits for 15 households a year. Their support is vital for families who are starting over with very few or no belongings. These simple everyday items helped households moving out of shelter set up their new home and transition with dignity. The kits also removed a significant barrier in terms of time and resources, enabling families to begin to focus on rebuilding their lives as quickly as possible.

A New Leaf is grateful for Gateway Bank’s support. However, the need for additional funding for Essential Living Kits is ongoing. This is an opportunity for community corporations, foundations, and individual donors to make a meaningful impact. Please contact grants@turnanewleaf.org or call (480) 464-4648 to support families who are starting over with a corporate or foundation contribution or make a donation online by visiting A New Leaf’s website at the button below.

Contributed by:

Laura Bode

Director of Community Engagement

A New Leaf

It is our pleasure to invite you to A New Leaf’s first annual Racing For Glory event, benefiting homeless veterans served by A New Leaf.

Join A New Leaf at the 1st Annual Racing for Glory event, a morning full of racing, delicious food and drinks, auctions, as well as a few surprises along the way. Carve up the corners and fly down the straightaways at up to 45 mph in Octane Raceway’s high-speed race karts, all on a challenging 1/3 mile road course.

You can view event details and register for this event below:

Racing for Glory

 

Date and time: Friday, November 11, 2022  |  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 

Location: Octane Raceway |  9119 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

 

Registration: https://www.turnanewleaf.org/events/fundraising/racing-for-glory/

Contact Kelly Snyder at ksynder@turnanewleaf.org or 480-464-4648 if you would like to get more involved, sponsor the event, or if you have any questions.

Contributed by:

Kellie Snyder

Special Events Manager

A New Leaf