A New Leaf

A New Leaf is grateful to the Ak-Chin Indian Community for providing essential living kits to households being served through A New Leaf’s housing support programs such as Rapid Re-Housing and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. Many individuals and families transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing have minimal, if any, personal possessions. They also do not have funds to purchase items for cooking, sleeping, cleaning, or bathing. Ak-Chin Indian Community’s investment will provide essential living kits that are customizable for each family’s needs. 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 and any other supplies necessary to support the household as it works towards stability. Thank you, Ak-Chin Indian Community for supporting individuals and families when they need it most. Together, we are “Helping Families, Changing Lives!”

Meet Nicole Salter, A New Leaf's Chief Clinical Officer, and passionate advocate for mental health awareness. Nicole has been a vibrant force in the community, continually demonstrating her commitment to helping families and changing lives through her involvement with MixxedFit® LLC. MixxedFit is a people inspired fitness program, bringing people together through fitness! Since 2016, Nicole has been part of the MixxedFit community. As a Master Educator, Level 2 certified instructor, Nicole brings her passion for dance, fitness, and the power of community to people all across Arizona. In her leadership role, Nicole will have the opportunity to host Masterclasses that spread mental health awareness and allow participants to learn about A New Leaf and the services provided. Nicole is excited to continue spreading her love for MixxedFit. She is committed to creating welcoming, fun, and inclusive spaces where everyone can enjoy the benefits of fitness and community spirit. Thank you, Nicole, for your unwavering enthusiasm and for spreading the message of positivity and health at A New Leaf. You make an incredible impact on the people around you and help us remember that mental health is health and to always keep dancing!

Gabriela was working as a waitress when she first learned about A New Leaf’s BankWork$ program. “As a waitress, I was trying to help my mom with bills, but it wasn’t enough. I knew I needed a career change,” said Gabriela. She wanted a more stable career to support her family and find more fulfillment for herself. With only a little bit of experience handling cash from the food service industry, Gabriela needed a program like BankWork$ to learn about the industry and possible roles. After starting classes, she worked with her instructors to understand her professional options and find a career path that felt right. “I had no idea what working as a teller would entail, but my instructors taught me so much about the role. The more I learned, the more I realized it’s what I wanted to do.” “BankWork$ changed my life forever, but more importantly, the instructors helped me to think of myself as someone who deserves respect. I was very insecure as a waitress, and they helped me push through that,” said Gabriela. “When I did my first practice interview, I felt blindsided by the questions, but the more my instructors coached me, the more I felt confident in my answers. On the day of my actual interview, I was incredibly sure of my responses and felt like I did a great job,” said Gabriela. After graduating from the program, Gabriela and her fellow BankWork$ graduates attended a hiring fair with local financial institutions and connected with their bank’s hiring teams. One banking firm was hiring tellers for a bank branch close to Gabriela’s home. “A day after my interview with the bank, they gave me a call and offered me a position. I accepted! When I was a waitress, I never thought I’d have the kind of career that I do now. I’m much more financially stable, I don’t have to deal with long commutes, and I can give back to my family. No matter your background, with BankWork$, you can find a way to succeed."

A huge thank you to the team from WillScot Mobile Mini for bringing a festive Fourth of July celebration to the kids at La Mesita’s After School Program! Your generosity created a memorable day for our young ones during this special holiday. The WillScot Mobile Mini group led a fun-filled afternoon where the kids got to engage in crafting their own wreathes and decorating sugar cookies! These activities added a dash of holiday spirit ad provided a wonderful opportunity for the children to express their creativity. It was amazing to watch the children immerse themselves in the festive activities, showcasing their artistic skills and, most importantly, having fun. Events like these play a crucial role in providing a sense of normalcy and joy for children facing life’s toughest challenges. They offer a break from the everyday stresses and provide a space for children to just be kids. Engaging in celebrations and hands-on activities helps foster a positive outlook, boosts mental well-being, and strengthens community bonds among the children and staff. Thank you, WillScot Mobile Mini, for your dedication to bringing joy and community spirit to our programs. Your involvement made this Fourth of July extra special for the kids at La Mesita, and we are incredibly grateful for your support and generosity.

A New Leaf is incredibly grateful for the dedicated volunteers from Luke Air Force Base, MPF (Military Personnel Flight) group, who spent the day making significant improvements at the West Valley Housing Assistance Center. Your hard work and commitment to serving the community truly made a difference! The team took on the task of power washing our shelter’s sidewalks, stairs, and railings, giving the center a refreshed look. They also diligently picked up trash around the property, among other maintenance tasks, enhancing the environment for everyone at the shelter. Your efforts not only improved the physical space but also uplifted the spirits of residents and staff alike, giving a sense of comfort to those we serve. A New Leaf also wants to recognize Lowe's Home Improvement on Grand Ave for their community spirit and support. When our own equipment failed, the manager kindly allowed us to borrow a power washer to complete the job. We are touched by your generosity and thrilled to hear about the potential donation of this much-needed equipment to our program. Thank you, to the entire Luke AFB MPF group, for choosing to spend your day helping those in need. We are also immensely thankful to Lowes for stepping up and providing the tools necessary to get the job done. Together, you’ve shown what community and teamwork can do for families experiencing homelessness.

Charles is an industrious man who runs his own small business. He is a veteran with three years of active duty service in the United States Army. He also just finished serving a 37 year prison sentence for a mistake that he’s regretted his entire life. “I got out of the military when I was 23, just a kid. I was diagnosed with PTSD from my service, but I had no idea how to deal with it, so I ended up getting in fights a lot. I never knew when to back down and I ended up making mistakes because of that. One of those mistakes landed me in prison for a long time.” As his release approached, Charles reached out to every program available to help him know what to expect. He knew that it was very difficult for people who had been in prison to rejoin society successfully. This was when he found A New Leaf’s veterans specific Path to Purpose Program. “When I talked to the folks at A New Leaf, it was different than what I had expected. They would lay out choices in front of me, and help me decide what type of life I wanted to lead when I left prison. And they promised they would help me make it a reality. They told me I deserved a second chance.” Charles got straight to work with his case manager and found a place to live. He also got connected to the Veteran’s Small Business Administration to get help starting a small business. Within a few months, Charles opened his own small auto parts trading business and was able to support himself. “A New Leaf does incredible work, I never expected things would happen this quickly. I’ve only been out for 6 months and I’m running my own business and able to support myself. For a long time I thought my life was over, but this program changed my mind.” Charles plans to lead as meaningful a life as possible and believes everyone deserves a second chance. “All I can say after 37 years in prison is that you can’t give up. You have to be honest with yourself, recognize your mistakes, and do your best to be a better person.”

Max Chinnah, a devoted serviceman of the Army National Guard, has demonstrated exceptional academic prowess. He has been honored with scholarships exceeding $21,000, including the esteemed Assets to Opportunity scholarship, a testament to his academic excellence, further highlighted by his perfect 4.0 GPA. At the 2024 graduation ceremony of Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Max delivered an inspiring commencement speech. His achievements include earning his private pilot certificate, instrument rating, and commercial pilot license through the University of North Dakota’s flight program in partnership with CGCC. Max is on track to pursue his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification shortly. His consistent inclusion on the President’s Honor List every semester is a testament to his unwavering commitment and diligence. In addition to these accolades, Max is a valued member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. The Assets to Opportunity team, in conjunction with MesaCAN, extends their heartfelt congratulations to Max and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors. A New leaf; Assets to Opportunity (ATO) program, is to empower individuals with low to moderate incomes through matched savings. The program primarily aims to promote asset building in two crucial areas: post-secondary education and small business development. For more information about the education match savings component of the program, please refer to the provided link. https://ow.ly/LbUB50SnCfN

Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent domestic violence incident in Surprise and their families. In times of such tragedy, it's important to remember that help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the Maricopa hotline at 800-799-7233 for shelter and resources. You are not alone. Reach out for help and support. A New Leaf is committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and providing the necessary resources to ensure their safety and well-being. With shelters and programs across the Valley, there is always help available. https://lnkd.in/gFv2Xy47

A New Leaf wants to extend our heartfelt thanks to Salad and Go for their wonderful visit to our La Mesita Afterschool Center! Megan brought an engaging and educational experience to our young students, teaching them lessons about healthy eating habits in fun and interactive ways. During their visit, the students played a memory game that taught them about what their body does when they eat different kinds of food! The children also had the opportunity to draw their favorite foods as superheroes, which sparked their imaginations and helped them see the powerful benefits of healthy eating. These activities were vital in teaching our students how food helps fuel their bodies and minds, especially at a young age. Thank you for taking the time to help our students grow. Your commitment to community education and your innovative approach to teaching about health are helping students all over the Valley. These lessons will follow the children throughout their lives, and will allow them to make smarter choices about their health. A New Leaf is incredibly grateful for your support and for choosing to make a positive impact on so many children every year. You are truly helping the next generation!

On this World Refugee Day, we come together as a community to recognize the strength, resilience, and unwavering hope that refugees carry with them. At A New Leaf, we understand the profound impact of displacement and the importance of providing a safe place for those seeking refuge. Refugees, often forced to leave behind their homes, communities, and sometimes even their loved ones, embark on a journey full of hardships. Yet, they bring with them diverse cultures, experiences, and skills that enrich our own community. Our commitment to inclusion extends to our refugee brothers and sisters. We stand by their side, providing support in their pursuit of a better life. From housing to employment assistance, our services are designed to help everyone rebuild their lives. This World Refugee Day, let us remember that, together, we can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.