February 2025 Newsletter
A New Leaf
Dedicated to helping end homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and other community challenges in Arizona.
Hello!
As we welcome February 2025, a time to reflect on all the love and compassion in our lives, I am immensely grateful for your continued support, which continues to transform lives.?
This month, our newsletter features the inspiring story of Tim and Antoinette, a blind couple who found a loving home through A New Leaf’s assistance. Their journey from uncertainty to stability is a powerful testament to the impact of your support.
In 2024, your contributions reached over 22,321 individuals, offering more than 7,500 people like Tim and Antoinette the financial or housing support needed to rebuild their lives. Thanks to your kindness, 3,457 individuals found relief from homelessness, and 5,872 escaped abusive situations, finding safety and new beginnings.
This newsletter is filled with heartfelt stories and guidance on how you can continue to make a difference in 2025. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. With your ongoing commitment, we are excited to extend even more critical services to those in crisis this year. Your involvement is crucial, especially for individuals like Tim and Antoinette, and countless others facing challenges.
Thank you for your unwavering kindness.
Sincerely,
Joe Dulin
Chief Philanthropy Officer
February 2025 Impact News: Tim and Antoinette Have a Place to Call Home Thanks to You!
Tim and Antoinette are both legally blind, but they’ve never let that determine how they live their lives. When they met, they fell in love quickly and soon had a son named Elliot. But raising a son and finding employment while disabled was difficult at times, and soon the family found themselves facing hard times.
“I was scared as a new father, having a baby boy and trying to make ends meet. We both lived mostly on disability, so our income was fixed. Eventually we just couldn’t keep the bills paid and Antoinette took our son and went to live with family while I looked for work. It was a challenging time for us.”
Tim tried to get back on his feet and find a new apartment for his family, but eventually found himself homeless, living in a tent. Split apart, the family struggled for months to find a solution to their situation – they felt hopeless as the weeks and months passed.?
“That’s when we knew something had to change, if we wanted to be a family and be together, we needed to ask for help. My family helped me call the housing hotline and I got connected with A New Leaf for the first time. That was when everything in our life started to change for the better.”?
Tim, Antoinette, and Elliot were placed into a housing unit at A New Leaf’s La Mesita Campus within a few days. Their rent would always be indexed to their income, so that they would always be able to afford it while living on disability. For the first time in a long time, this family would be able to live together under the same roof and make a home.?
“When we signed the lease and they handed us the keys, it was like our dream of having a stable home was finally coming true. We’d been looking for our forever home for so long, and now that we’re here, I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
Elliot enrolled at a nearby school and regularly attends the onsite after school program. Tim recently found employment at the Foundation For Blind Children, and loves his work. The entire family is finally able to be at ease and live the life they have always wanted.
“This place has been an enormous blessing to Elliot and to our family. To everybody who supports A New Leaf, I just want to say thank you for everything. You have changed our lives.”
February 2025 Volunteer Update: Thank You to 8123 Music Fest and The Maine!
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day that encourages service and community, 8123 Music Fest 2025 and the incredible band The Maine rallied over 20 amazing volunteers to make a difference at A New Leaf’s La Mesita campus.
Volunteers came together to paint, clean, decorate, and even build arcade games for the community room, creating a warm, welcoming space for residents to enjoy. With perfect attendance and unstoppable enthusiasm, the team successfully completed the remodel in just one afternoon—truly a labor of love and unity!
We are beyond grateful to the fans of 8123 Music Fest and The Maine for giving their time and energy to support our mission. Your efforts have brought joy and comfort to our residents, making La Mesita feel even more like home.
Together, we’re creating a brighter future for families in need. Thank you for showing what community care and compassion look like in action!
Are you or someone you know interested in volunteering with A New Leaf? We WELCOME those looking to make an impact! Apply today!
February 2025 Donation Center Updates: Items Needed for the New Year
A New Leaf invites you to make a direct impact in your local community by making a donation of new, unused items. Your gifts will help those facing homelessness, domestic violence, and other crisis situations.
Located at A New Leaf’s La Mesita campus, our Donation Center plays a crucial role in supporting the individuals and families we serve. Generous donations of new, unused items from community members like you are essential in meeting the everyday needs of those who rely on our services.
Our most pressing needs right now are:
Donate your new, unused items to our drop-off donation center located at 2245 W. Ella Street, Building A, Mesa, AZ 85201. Our hours of operation are Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM, and Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. To facilitate a smooth drop-off, kindly call ahead to schedule your delivery at 480-464-4648. Click here for more details about donating.
February 2025 Major Gifts Update: A Guide to Emergency Preparedness and Estate Planning
In times of crisis, whether it’s a sudden emergency or the unexpected loss of a loved one, having your documents organized can make a world of difference. Being prepared can alleviate stress, save time and money, and ensure your wishes are respected. Here’s why keeping your papers in order is crucial:
For Emergencies
Proof of Identity and Ownership: Driver’s licenses, passports, social security cards, deeds, titles, and insurance policies are vital for verifying identity, accessing assistance, and proving ownership of assets.
Access to Essential Services: Medical records (including history, medications, and allergies), insurance policies (health, home, auto), and emergency contact information are essential for receiving proper care and accessing necessary support.
Streamlining Recovery: Organized documents simplify filing insurance claims, applying for government aid, rebuilding after a disaster, and protecting your assets.
Death of a Loved One (Estate Planning)
Beyond immediate emergencies, organized documents become even more critical in the event of a loved one’s death, especially if it is unexpected. This is where estate planning comes into play:
Wills and Trusts: These legal documents outline how your assets should be distributed, who will care for your minor children (guardianship), and who will manage your estate (executor/trustee). Without a will, the distribution of your assets will be determined by state law, which may not align with your wishes.
Financial Records: Bank statements, investment records, retirement accounts, and tax returns are essential for settling the estate, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.
Life Insurance Policies: These provide financial security for your loved ones after your passing. Keeping policies organized and beneficiaries updated is crucial.
Funeral Arrangements: Pre-planned funeral arrangements and related documents can ease the burden on grieving family members.
Digital Assets: A list of online accounts, passwords, and instructions for managing digital assets (social media, email, online banking) can prevent complications and ensure your digital legacy is handled according to your wishes.
Why Organization Matters in Both Scenarios
Reduces Stress and Confusion: During times of crisis or grief, searching for scattered documents adds unnecessary stress. Organization provides clarity and peace of mind.
Saves Time and Money: Organized records expedite processes like filing claims, settling estates, and accessing benefits, potentially saving time and money.
Ensures Your Wishes Are Respected: Clear documentation ensures your medical wishes are followed in an emergency and your estate is distributed according to your intentions after your passing.
Protects Your Loved Ones: By preparing in advance, you alleviate the burden on your family members during difficult times and provide them with the necessary tools to manage affairs efficiently.
Tips for Organizing Your Documents
Physical Storage: Use a fireproof and waterproof safe or container for original documents.
Digital Copies: Scan important documents and store them securely online (cloud storage) or on encrypted USB drives.
Grab-and-Go Binder/Emergency Kit: Include copies of essential documents in a portable binder or emergency kit for quick evacuation.
Estate Planning Binder/Folder: Create a separate binder or folder for estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, and financial records.
Communicate with Loved Ones: Inform trusted family members or close friends about the location of your important documents.
Regular Review and Updates: Ensure your documents are current and reflect your present circumstances.
Being prepared for both emergencies and the possibility of an untimely death is a responsible and loving act. By taking the time to organize your documents, you protect yourself, your family, and your legacy.
Have we convinced you to finally get your docs in order? If so, please plan to join us for our 1st Annual ICE Box Project event on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at MesaCAN.? Spots are limited, so RSVP early to Suzanne at [email protected]
February 2025 Community Partner Highlight: Westgate Foundation
This month, we are excited to spotlight an amazing partner that has significantly impacted our community and the work we do at A New Leaf: the Westgate Foundation.
Westgate Resorts is a premier hospitality brand that manages 22 resorts with over 14,000 villas across top travel destinations in the United States, including right here in Arizona. The Westgate Foundation, the charitable arm of the resort company, dedicates itself to enriching the communities where their approximately 10,000 team members live and work.
Since 2017, Westgate Foundation has been a pivotal supporter of A New Leaf’s Domestic Violence Services. Their commitment extends beyond financial contributions; they provide grant funding, sponsor our events, and generously offer in-kind support, including resort stays for our event auctions. This multifaceted support helps us sustain and expand the crucial services we offer to families in need.
In 2024, representatives from the Foundation took a hands-on approach by visiting the Community Alliance Against Family Abuse shelter in Apache Junction. This visit was an opportunity for them to see firsthand the vital support provided to survivors of domestic violence. Additionally, A New Leaf staff were invited to share more about our mission and programs during an employee townhall at the Painted Mountain Golf Resort, further strengthening our partnership and outreach.
We are incredibly grateful for the Westgate Foundation’s ongoing support and dedication. Their role as a catalyst for positive change has not only enhanced our ability to serve our community but also inspired others to join in these efforts.
For more information about partnering with A New Leaf, please contact Laura Bode, Vice President of Philanthropy, at [email protected].
February 2025 Event News: Camaraderie Gala Tickets Now Available!
Register Now! Tickets to our annual Camaraderie Gala are now available! This incredible event will be March 8, 2025 at Fairmont Princess Scottsdale.
For one night only, A New Leaf will be opening “The Jazz Lounge”, an exclusive black-tie club, where guests will enjoy the ambiance of the French Quarter through lively jazz performances, handcrafted cuisine, and an impactful program. Please join us as?we celebrate?our partners and sponsors who make serving over 23,000 people a year possible!
All proceeds from the evening will benefit A New Leaf’s homeless shelters and housing assistance programs across the Valley! This is not an evening that you will want to miss! Buy a ticket or explore sponsorship opportunities here!