Branching 2016 SUMM E R N E W S L E T T E R
La Mesita Campus Kids are Gearing Up for Summer IN THIS ISSUE School’s Out For Summer... Oh No!!! Providing solutions for working parents.
Your Gifts Helped Provide All Of This!
Mark Your Calendars!!
Important Events Ahead!
La Mesita Campus Kids are Gearing Up for Summerependence School’s out and parents everywhere are struggling with decisions.
Schools out and parents everywhere are struggling with decisions. What are we going to do with the kids this summer? How much can we afford to spend on childcare? Who can we trust to give our children meaningful experiences? If you’re a parent, or even a grandparent, you understand the struggle. Sometimes it feels like most of your hard work is spent on childcare. You accept it because you realize the investment in your children far outweighs the financial sacrifices. So you buckle down, shave off the extra expenses and do whatever you have to, ensuring your children receive the best care you can afford. But what if there is no place to shave off expenses? What if you’re barely able to put food on the table? What if you’ve already exhausted all your financial resources on medical expenses, trying to keep up with car payments because you need your vehicle to get to work and at last, have had to face the cruel realities of eviction? Jonathan and Melissa understood all of those what-ifs when they became homeless and turned to the streets. An exhausting winter of worry, stress and loss of home brought Jon, Melissa and their two children to A New Leaf’s La Mesita Campus. “It wasn’t easy,” expressed Jon. “We were embarrassed to ask for help, but I had to do it for my kids.” Jon’s desperation was evident in his voice when he said, “We have to keep our jobs, find housing and a way to
turnanewleaf.org
We needed you, and you were there. We still need you. And we appreciate you for caring! provide summer childcare for the kids before school ends.” Coming to La Mesita was an answer to all of their concerns. Jon and Melissa found housing as well as essential childcare with attentive staff who treated their children like their family. “Popping into the After School Program to check on my girls brought me instant relief,” shared Melissa. “I was moved to tears of joy when I saw them laughing and learning with their teachers. What a weight was lifted from my shoulders!” A New Leaf’s wrap-around services can turn what seems like an impossible situation into a successful, life-long transition. The After School Program and Head Start are just two critical services your support makes possible for the desperate families that come through our doors. What you have done for Jon, Melissa, and many other families that come to A New Leaf for help is beyond comprehension. You have enabled these parents to move forward to secure an independent future with one less overwhelming burden, the burden of finding and affording positive, nurturing care and education for their children.
People can wait for housing for several years. You can help change that. This newsletter can show you how. To learn more about us, please visit our website at turnanewleaf.org
r Supporters Our Celebrating
Supporters Every April, we celebrate the
volunteers donors the who give Every April, weand celebrate so muchand of themselves make volunteers donors whotogive a difference in the lives of the so much of themselves to make people we At of thisthe year’s a difference in serve. the lives Annual Volunteer and people we Board, serve. At this year’s Donor Luncheon, we recognized Annual Board, Volunteer, and Donor Luncheon, we recognized the the following individuals and following and groups groupsindividuals for their exemplary for support their exemplary support : .
Winner of A New Leaf’s Volunteer Group of the Year Alpha Chi Omega at Arizona State University took the world by storm last October when their love for selfies and philanthropy transfixed media outlets across the country. After being filmed taking selfies at a baseball game, the members responded to the media coverage by posting to social media and asking for donations from the public to support A New Leaf’s domestic violence services. The Ellen DeGeneres Show even featured the ladies talking about their fundraising on behalf of A New Leaf and their commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence. Last year alone, Alpha Chi Omega raised over $25,000 for A New Leaf. The group organizes ASU campus tours for children and families enrolled in A New Leaf programs, and hosts an annual Kickin’ It event every spring to raise funds for A New Leaf’s Autumn House and Faith House Domestic Violence Shelters. Alpha Chi Omega is a true partner with A New Leaf, and members of this generous sorority are working every day to make the world a brighter place. You can join their effort to support victims of domestic violence by donating to A New Leaf today. Your donation provides basic needs for domestic violence survivors, emergency shelter, a crisis line, childcare, workforce training, and court advocacy for these vulnerable mothers and children. Domestic violence ends at A New Leaf.
Corporate Donor of the Year:
Thunderbird Charities Individual Donor of the Year:
Kathye Brown Board Donor of the Year:
David Woolstrum Special Recognition:
JustServe Gift-in-Kind Donor:
International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE) Volunteer Group of the Year:
Alpha Chi Omega at ASU Individual Volunteer of the Year:
Susan Samuel Youth Volunteer of the Year:
Tyse Hipps We are honored to partner with such caring individuals.
Building A Better Future “Not only do I want to make a difference in combating homelessness while I am alive, but I truly believe my bequest to A New Leaf in my revocable trust will help support homeless families long after I am gone. I was taught at a young age by my parents not to take for granted what we had and that being charitable with our time and our financial resources was important. I want to impart those same values to my children of giving back and supporting the community we live in.”
— Mike Hough
Please remember A New Leaf in your will, trust, or IRA.
It’s It’s aa Big Big Bash…oops. Bash…oops. It’s It’s Biz Biz Bash! Bash!
You Helped Us Win!
You’re invited to attend the very unique Biz Bash concert fundraiser.
September 29, 2016
Biz Bash is a concert fundraiser produced and underwritten by CoBiz Financial. Biz Bash features big name entertainment along with a delicious meal, hosted bar, and a high-end silent auction. Since 2001, Biz Bash has raised more than $4.5 million for nonprofit organizations focused on children in need. This year, A New Leaf will be one of two charities benefiting from this great fundraiser.
Visit www.bizbash.org/AZ to learn more.
You Can Help Give the gift of newfound hope, new beginnings, growth, and change for individuals and families in need. Remove the envelope to find out how.
Mesa United Way has selected A New Leaf as “Agency of the Year” We couldn’t be here without you!
5 Reasons Why 1 2 3
A New Leaf fully maximizes your donations for the greatest impact.
4
Approximately 29,000 people experienced homelessness in Arizona last year...40% were families with children. You help make a difference.
5
We are changing the future of our community one person/family at a time.
You help to keep vulnerable populations off the streets (women and children). You allow our programs to provide critical services that help families get back on their feet.
3 Ways How
Become a monthly giver
Volunteer your time
Coordinate a basic needs drive in your neighborhood
Visit our website at turnanewleaf.org to donate and for more ways to help.
Yourput Giftsus Helped You on the map Provide All Of This!
Because of your support, A New Leaf is providing services for children, individuals and families throughout the greater Phoenix area. We have locations in Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Surprise. You are changing lives throughout the Valley!
Your support helps our families meet their challenges through the following services: Case Management
After School Programs
Financial Coaching
Youth Activities
Workforce Connections
Parenting Classes
Head Start
Community Resources
ANEWLEAF
All of these services are what make A New Leaf the lifesaving bridge for families who are striving to become self-reliant. We serve people of all ages. We know what works, and with your help, we will be able to help more of those in need.
Thank you
for your support.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Mesa, Arizona Permit No. 0090 868 E. University Drive Mesa, AZ 85203-8033 480.464.4648
Please send us your address changes so we may keep our information current. ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
er’s here. m m u S . .. t s trip. Ps o on a field g n a c e w e Mayb
Branching
2016 S U M M E R N E W S L E T T E R
For a digital version of this issue, please visit turnanewleaf.org/about/newsletters.html