A New Leaf

05/31/2026

AMAZING! 💜Arizona is training a new generation of legal advocates to help people facing domestic violence and eviction before they fall into crisis.

The new Women's Legal and Self-Empowerment Certification program will equip women across the state with formal training in domestic violence advocacy, housing stability, and eviction prevention. The goal is simple: make sure more people have access to trusted, knowledgeable support when they need it most.

This effort comes at a critical time. Domestic violence continues to impact thousands of Arizona families, while housing costs and legal barriers make it harder for many survivors to find safety and stability. No one should have to navigate those challenges alone.

What makes this program especially powerful is its focus on community leaders with lived experience. By investing in women who understand these challenges firsthand, Arizona is building a stronger network of advocates who can help neighbors access resources, understand their rights, and find a path forward.

At A New Leaf, we know that early intervention changes lives. Whether it's domestic violence services, shelter, housing assistance, or supportive resources, helping people before a crisis escalates creates better outcomes for families and communities alike. We applaud the Women's Foundation for Southern Arizona and its partners for expanding access to the support and advocacy that every survivor deserves.

A new no-cost certification program is training women already serving Arizona communities to become legal advocates for neighbors facing eviction or domestic violence. Applications are due June 5.

05/30/2026

We applaud the City of Phoenix, AZ USA City Council for unanimously approving new investments that strengthen the city’s Housing Trust Fund, preserve essential homeless services, and expand flexible financial assistance for families facing housing and food insecurity. These are practical investments that help people stay housed, prevent crises before they happen, and create pathways to long-term stability.

Phoenix’s decision to invest more in housing affordability and homelessness services comes at a critical moment. With eviction filings remaining at historic highs and Phoenix facing one of the most severe affordable housing shortages in the nation, the need for action has never been clearer.

Housing affordability is not just a housing issue. It affects children’s education, workforce participation, public health, and the overall strength of our community. When families cannot afford a safe place to live, the consequences ripple throughout the Valley.

At A New Leaf, we see every day how quickly a missed paycheck, unexpected expense, or rent increase can place a family at risk of homelessness. We also see how prevention programs, shelter, housing assistance, and supportive services can help people regain stability and move forward. We are encouraged to see Phoenix continuing to invest in solutions that recognize a simple truth: everyone deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, stable home.

In a policy session Tuesday, the Phoenix City Council approved a budget that includes several new investments in housing affordability and homeless services.

05/30/2026

In a new Arizona Republic op-ed, A New Leaf Chief Program Officer Kathy DiNolfi explains why Maricopa County's annual Point-in-Time Count is both incredibly valuable and incomplete. The count provides an important snapshot of homelessness on a single night, but it cannot capture the many families, children, veterans, and individuals who spend months cycling through unstable housing situations while remaining largely out of public view.

"Unfortunately, research has shown that the number of people who experience homelessness over the course of a year can be 2.5 to 10 times higher than what is captured on a single night through the PIT count.

The 2026 Maricopa County PIT Count identified 1,322 children ages 0–17, while Arizona schools have identified tens of thousands of students experiencing homelessness statewide in recent school years."

The consequences of misunderstanding this data are significant. When homelessness appears smaller than it truly is, it becomes easier to underestimate the need for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, shelter, and support services.

Kathy's central message is an important one: the Point-in-Time Count should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it. If we want to solve homelessness, we must be willing to see the full picture and invest in solutions that reach people long before they become visible in a count.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2026/05/26/countys-homeless-count-hide-the-truth-opinion/90166371007

05/29/2026

Zion was doing what people say you’re supposed to do. He had a job. He showed up. He worked his shifts. And still, he ended up without a place to sleep. “Pretty rough working while homeless, but that’s sort of become too common, right? Shouldn’t be, but I guess it is.”

When his roommates missed rent and he couldn't make up the difference, he fell behind and got evicted. For weeks Zion lived on the literal streets of Mesa, spending nights in parks, behind grocery stores, and wherever he could find a small measure of safety. The fall season monsoons made those nights even harder, soaking his clothes and cutting short any chance at real rest.

But each morning, Zion got up and went to work his fast food job anyway. Exhausted and wet from the night before, he stayed focused on one thing: not letting a temporary crisis turn into a permanent setback. Zion stayed motivated. “Don’t think just because you’re homeless, you can’t work,” he says. “Cause that’s definitely not it. The best thing you can do is work and save. For me, I decided to pick up as many hours as I could.”

Despite his hard work, Zion knew that without some help he wouldn’t be able to save up . So he started looking for help and eventually put his name in for a bed at A New Leaf’s East Valley Men’s Center. When a spot finally opened it gave him exactly what he had been missing, a chance to plan for the future instead of just scrambling to survive.

After three months of shelter and support at EVMC, Zion was able to shift out of survival mode. He picked up additional hours, got a second job, and began saving intentionally. Through discipline and strong work ethic, his efforts started to add up. “Never thought it would happen this fast, but I’ve been able to save up and get me a car. Nothing fancy, but it gets me around for sure.”

Now Zion is ready to move into an apartment and move on with his life. “I’m so thankful for everything and you can bet that I will pay it forward. I could’ve been stuck in a dark place for years, struggling to get back on my feet. But instead, you showed me some kindness. This place really turned my life around, it’s pretty crazy really.”

Zion’s story is a powerful reminder that homelessness doesn’t always look the way people expect, and that many of us are just one crisis away from homelessness.

05/28/2026

Recently, Senator Mark Kelly joined community members at A New Leaf’s MesaCAN for an important conversation about rising utility costs and the real impact they are having on Arizona families.

Individuals directly affected by increasing bills shared their personal experiences, challenges, and concerns about how federal policy changes could impact their ability to afford basic necessities. Their willingness to speak openly and honestly created a meaningful discussion that brought real stories to the forefront.

We are grateful to Senator Kelly for taking the time to listen, and especially to the community members who courageously shared their experiences. Conversations like these help ensure that the voices of those most impacted are heard as leaders work toward solutions that support Arizona households.

05/27/2026

A strong community starts with a safe place to call home.

A New Leaf is grateful to Greenlight Communities for inspiring generosity across the community by serving as our 2026 Arizona Gives Day matching partner.

Because of this commitment, more families at La Mesita and Thunderbird Apartments will have access to support that helps them stay housed, manage everyday challenges, and work toward greater financial stability.

Thank you, LiveGreenlight for shining a light on what is possible when attainable housing and supportive services come together.

05/27/2026

A New Leaf is proud to announce Brandon E. Dale as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.

Brandon brings more than 30 years of leadership experience building collaborative, mission-driven teams and serving communities through compassionate, people-centered leadership. His commitment to supporting individuals and families through life’s hardest moments aligns deeply with A New Leaf’s mission and values.

For more than 50 years, A New Leaf has been a place of safety, hope, and fresh starts for families across the Valley. As the organization enters this next chapter, the focus remains clear: helping families facing homelessness find stability, helping survivors of domestic violence find safety, and helping neighbors in crisis rediscover hope.

A New Leaf’s Board of Directors and leadership team are excited about the future and grateful for the donors, volunteers, advocates, and community partners who continue making this work possible every day.

Please join A New Leaf in welcoming Brandon to the organization and the community.

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Their sacrifice reminds us of the cost of freedom and the importance of coming together as a community. Today, we reflect with gratitude and hold space for those who have lost loved ones.

We remember. We honor. We thank you.

05/24/2026

In this story with 12News, A New Leaf spoke about the very real concerns surrounding the shutdown of the Maricopa County Domestic Violence Hotline and what it means for survivors in crisis. Domestic violence situations are often urgent, unpredictable, and escalating. Survivors need clear, immediate pathways to safety and support.

Every extra minute a survivor spends searching for help can increase danger. When someone is trying to escape abuse, being bounced between disconnected resources or dead phone lines is not just frustrating, it can put lives at risk.

That is why we want our community to know that help is still available. A New Leaf continues to provide safe shelter, court advocacy, safety planning, and healing services for survivors and families in need. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out. You deserve support, protection, and a path forward.

The 24-hour centralized hotline, which allowed those in crisis to get help in just one call, is no longer available starting May 15.

05/23/2026

This story about volunteers coming together to pack care packages for former foster youth in college is a powerful reminder that community matters. Beyond the snacks and school supplies, these packages send a deeper message: you are not forgotten, and you do not have to navigate adulthood alone.

For many young adults who have experienced foster care, the transition into independence can come with significant barriers. Stable housing, emotional support, financial security, and consistent encouragement are not things every student can take for granted. That is why programs that invest in long-term support and connection are so important.

At A New Leaf, we see every day how meaningful support systems can help people move from survival to stability. Whether it is housing, mentorship, resources, or simply knowing someone cares, compassionate communities create stronger futures for everyone.

We are grateful to every volunteer, donor, and advocate who chooses to show up for young people in meaningful ways. Small acts of care can leave lifelong impacts.

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation packed care packages with essential items and encouragement for former foster youth in higher education.