A New Leaf

As we continue our series introducing you to some of our Board Members, we would like you to meet the incredible powerhouse that is Betty Lynch. Betty Lynch has been an invaluable member of the community for decades. She has been a member of A New Leaf's Board of Directors since 2010. Betty first encountered A New Leaf while serving on the Avondale City Council in 2006, where she focused on serving survivors of domestic violence in the West Valley. This was an important mission for Betty, as she had experience with domestic violence in her personal life. She became a fierce advocate for the expansion of resources and services in underserved areas. Betty saw A New Leaf open up shelters in Mesa, and knew that these resources needed to expand further, especially in the West Valley, to help even more survivors in need. A New Leaf eventually began managing Faith House, an existing shelter in the West Valley, which was working to help bring survivors life-saving shelter and safety. Betty was invited to a meeting at Faith House, and during that meeting she first connected with the organization's leadership and felt the profound need to be involved in helping her community even further. She began to partner with A New Leaf on numerous projects, she donated items to survivors in need, and continued to advocate for those in crisis. Betty was soon asked to bring her expertise to A New Leaf’s board In 2010, where she quickly became a driving force behind the organization’s growth and outreach efforts. Her leadership and dedication have also played a crucial role in supporting the financial stability and growth of A New Leaf. With her background in finance, Betty took on a role in the organization’s finance committee, helping to guide A New Leaf’s fiscal health through its expansion of programs and services. Throughout her many years of service, Betty has remained deeply committed to A New Leaf’s mission of supporting individuals and families in crisis. “Helping others is what drives me, and A New Leaf has been the perfect place to do that.” Betty’s impact has been felt across the entire organization, and she continues to be a vocal activist for survivors everywhere.

A New Leaf is honored to receive continued support from State Farm, helping ensure that reliable transportation is never a roadblock for individuals working toward stability. Thanks to this year’s generous investment, individuals served by A New Leaf’s Shelter & Housing programs, Domestic Violence Shelter programs, Workforce Development Services, and Mesa Community Action Network (MesaCAN) can access critical transportation assistance. From job interviews to medical appointments, having a safe and reliable way to travel is more than just a ride- it’s the key to opportunity. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there, helping families and individuals move forward. Thank you, State Farm for being a trusted partner in driving hope and stability in our community.

?? A New Leaf’s Employee Appreciation Luncheon 2025! ?? We had an unforgettable afternoon at Rustler's Rooste in Phoenix, celebrating the amazing employees who make our mission possible every single day. With a stunning view overlooking the city, a delicious lunch including steak, grilled chicken, salad, potatoes, and apple pie, and plenty of laughter to go around — it was a well-deserved celebration of our incredible team! ???????? The theme this year was "Decades," and our team did not disappoint! From bell bottoms to flannel shirts and every retro trend in between, our staff showed up in style. We held contests, raffles, and shared countless smiles in appreciation of everyone’s hard work and heart. ?? At A New Leaf, our employees are the heart of everything we do. Their compassion, commitment, and drive are what make change possible in our community. We are so grateful for every member of our team! We also proudly recognized some outstanding individuals and teams with our 2024 Employee Awards: ?? The Dependable Defender Award: Suzi Strom, HR ?? The Heart Guardian Award: Kristina Gonzalez, Foster Care ?? Unity Maker Award: Matt Davis, LMSS ?? The Precision Protector Award: Hanna Coffin, DV/SV ?? The Truthkeeper Award: Terri Gonzales, Leadership ?? The Impact Igniter Award: Eva Felix, MesaCAN ?? Team of the Year Award: Michelle Boyle’s Team – Housing Support Services And of course, we celebrated some major milestones: ?? 5 Years Robin Bertolini, Jean Lind, Rachel Montoya, Jose Marin Osorio, Lucero Rojas, Julie Hernandez, Barbara Rosenberg, Bertha Tapia, Debbie Collins, Tisha Turner, Amanda Flores, Cecilia Pena, Taje Snead, Ana Garcia, Davis Flores, Yanira Poueymirou, Miquela Goodson, Laura Whitlock, Scott Revere, Gisselle Rivera, Cheryl Belcher, Michelle Lee, Christian Lewis, Maria Rodriguez, Nicole Olson, Felisha Abundis, Genesis Erazo ?? 10 Years Teresa Rodriguez, Nicole Yazdani, Cynthia Rodriguez, Gladys Perez Rodriguez, Amber Williams, Paul Bruney, Catherine Dyciewski, Lorraine Cherry ?? 15 Years Eva Felix, Pamela Arp, Sarah Rojas ?? 20 Years Christina Schroeder ?? 25 Years Dave Hughes Please join us in thanking and celebrating our incredible staff — we appreciate each and every one of you! ????

Find Your Home at Homeward Bound Apartments! ?? Looking for affordable, comfortable, and secure housing in Phoenix? Homeward Bound Apartments is an affordable-housing community, offering 1 or 2-bedroom, 1-bath units with ALL utilities included! ?? Top Features & Amenities: ?? Gated Parking & Controlled Access for added security ?? On-Site Daycare (additional cost) to support families ?? Outdoor Fitness Course, Basketball Court & Playground for an active lifestyle ?? Community Garden & Green Spaces for relaxation ?? Spacious Floor Plans with Modern Finishes – Hard surface flooring, large closets, eat-in kitchens & ceiling fans ?? 24-Hour Maintenance & On-Site Laundry for added convenience Located near I-17, you’ll have easy access to shopping, restaurants, parks, and more! ?? Now Leasing! Find stability, comfort, and a welcoming community at Homeward Bound Apartments. Contact us today to learn more! ????https://lnkd.in/ghh-dFre

For survivors of domestic violence, safety isn’t just about leaving but about staying protected long after. That’s why the Arizona Address Confidentiality Program is so important. This program shields survivors from those who would do them harm by keeping their addresses out of public records, helping them rebuild their lives in safety. This bill which will allocate $400,000 to this life-saving program has just passed the Senate Appropriations Committee. This is a crucial step towards ensuring more survivors have access to this protection. A New Leaf knows that leaving abuse is just the first step. True healing comes with long-term security, support, and the resources to reclaim independence. Every person deserves to live without fear. Every survivor deserves a fresh start. Together, we can create a future where safety and healing are possible. https://lnkd.in/gfvcYsEw

At 58 years old, starting over is going to be hard for Ken. As an incredibly independent and driven man, he never expected to find himself homeless. “It was a shock. You never expect it to happen to you.” As a certified mechanic, a drywall hanger, anda painter, he can fix or build about anything. “I’ve just always had a knack for using my hands, so I made a career out of it.” After a difficult season of work that left Ken financially stretched, Ken eventually found himself without a home. “It was the lowest point in my life. I had gotten by for 58 years, and then this happened.” Desperate to put a roof over his head, Ken called A New Leaf and was placed into the East Valley Men’s Center, a 94-bed shelter for homeless men. “When I got to the shelter, the staff worked with me to set goals. I was going to get back to work in my trade, get transportation – really just get myself together.” Ken started work with a good friend’s business called Expert Handyman, allowing him to buy a bike and save for an apartment.

Theresa, a mother of four, had been in a verbally and emotionally abusive relationship for years, but always hoped it would get better. When her partner’s work hours were reduced, the situation became increasingly violent until she was terrified for her and her children’s safety. The abuse intensified after her partner’s work hours were reduced from 40 to 15 per week. When he came home that day, he was furious and Theresa noticed he smelled like alcohol. She simply asked "Are you ok?" and he immediately lashed out, calling her names, belittling her in front of the kids, and saying she was useless. Theresa's partner began drinking more, punching holes in the wall, and screaming at her and the kids. Theresa wanted to escape, but was scared to reach out for help because he was monitoring her electronic devices. As the days went by, the violence escalated. He started shoving her, then a slap, then a punch in the face. Much of the abuse took place in front of the children, and Theresa knew she had to do something to protect them. When her partner fell asleep after a day of drinking, Theresa quickly looked for resources online. She found the phone number for A New Leaf’s SAFEDVS hotline and called. SAFEDVS hotline staff created a safety plan with Theresa to help the family escape right away. Because there was no space at any of the shelters in Maricopa County and Theresa needed immediate safety, staff offered temporary shelter in a hotel through A New Leaf’s DVSTOP Program. They advised her to grab important documents and provided transportation to safety. Once Theresa and her children were safe in a hotel room, DVSTOP staff provided food, clothing, items for the children, and other essentials, plus the support of a dedicated case manager. The family transitioned into a domestic violence shelter that would give them ongoing support and resources to heal from the trauma they had experienced. Now Theresa is safe and planning for an independent future.

What a great day supporting one of our favorite nonprofits A New Leaf! Thanks for the folks at Assurex Global for making this service project a reality! #nonprofits #service #reachout

?? Thank You, Brock Bevell, for Sharing Your Story & Inspiring Change ?? A huge thank you to Brock Bevell, founder of The Fentanyl Project AZ, for visiting East Valley Men’s Center and sharing his powerful journey of addiction, recovery, and resilience. ?? Brock knows firsthand the devastating impact of fentanyl—after being injured on the job as a Mesa Police Officer, he became addicted to pain pills, leading him down a difficult path. But today, he is using his experience to help others break free from addiction. At EVMC, Brock gave the men an opportunity to gain insight and motivation for their own recovery, showing them that change is possible and that there is hope beyond addiction. Through his outreach efforts, Brock is saving lives every day. He drives around town handing out free Narcan, providing a lifeline to those in crisis. He would be the first to say that there are far more people in need than the Narcan he has to give—but that doesn’t stop him from trying. Brock, thank you for your courage, your heart, and your dedication to helping those battling addiction. Your story gives hope to so many, and your work is truly changing lives. ??

The Assets to Opportunity (ATO) program, administered by A New Leaf, is a match savings initiative designed to assist individuals with low to moderate incomes. The program aims to build assets for two main purposes: post-secondary education and small business development. The education component offers an 8-to-1 matching benefit and includes a financial literacy workshop. To qualify for the ATO program, individuals must meet several criteria. Their income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and they should have earned income. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and residents of Arizona. Additionally, the colleges or universities attended must be located in Arizona. Participants are required to save a minimum of $500 over three months, making $30 deposits twice per month. Completion of ATO financial wellness workshops is also mandatory. The ATO program aims to foster better savings habits and provides funds for expenses such as bookstore orders and tuition fees. Click here for more information: https://ow.ly/E3Z150UugPx