A New Leaf

08/28/2026

When Phoenix temperatures become life-threatening and shelter beds are full, people experiencing homelessness can be left with nowhere safe to go. And St Vincent de Paul isn't the only place reaching capacity.

St. Vincent de Paul’s overnight heat relief shelter is filling all 170 of its cots as dangerous heat continues across the Valley, while also feeding more than 1,000 people each day.

For organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, this summer surge is nothing new. A New Leaf sees shelter needs rise every year as extreme heat makes an already difficult situation even more dangerous.

Across the Valley, nonprofits are working every day to provide emergency shelter, cooling centers, day respite spaces, meals, water, and other critical support. These services save lives, but demand continues to stretch available capacity.

No one should have to remain outside in dangerous heat because they cannot find an open bed or a safe place to cool down. A New Leaf is proud to be part of the network responding to this need through emergency shelter, a cooling center, and supportive services, while also helping people move toward stable housing.

Arizona’s heat leaves little room for delay. Keeping people safe today and creating more pathways out of homelessness must remain a community priority. https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/overnight-shelter-reaches-capacity-as-dangerous-heat-grips-phoenix-st-vincent-de-paul/75-c47e4bb2-b28b-4043-b874-35eba7e936e0

08/28/2026

James is a proud father and was raised to believe that men should be strong, resilient providers for their family. Eventually his eyesight deteriorated and he was declared legally blind, so much that he could no longer work, and was placed on disability.

There were a lot of challenges in James’ life, but he never expected to find himself in a domestic violence situation. Tensions with the mother of his children had been rising as they struggled to make ends meet.

“After three months of pretty toxic arguments, it wasn’t good. Then she started getting physical with me in front of the kids. Honestly I didn’t know what to do. At one point I called the police and they actually laughed at me.”

James didn’t fully recognize that he was experiencing abuse, but he did know that things couldn’t continue the way they were going. So he packed his things and decided to leave until he could figure out a better situation. Legally blind and with only small disability checks to get by, he spent a few nights on the streets homeless.

During this time, James felt entirely alone and had to deal with the stigma of being a male survivor. James felt like no one in his life would be able to understand what he was going through.

“I never even heard of a man being a victim of domestic violence before. That wasn’t even something I would’ve thought about.”

When James finally called the county domestic violence hotline, he was admitted to A New Leaf’s Autumn House Domestic Violence Shelter. Here, he was surprised to find himself in a caring and supportive environment that made him feel welcomed

After a few months of counseling and support, James was on the path to recovery. He had secured an apartment of his own, and was finally starting to feel in control of his life again.
"I could finally breathe. Then I was able to start focusing on the important stuff I needed to do, and the staff was really helpful. They helped me get a job, find an apartment, and just helped me turn my life around."

"This place was a gift, it really showed me that life doesn't stop just because things get tough. You gotta keep going and advocate for yourself."

08/27/2026

More than HALF of renter families in Phoenix are spending at least 30% of their income on housing. Families are being squeezed by a basic need that is increasingly difficult to afford.

This article tells us nothing new: the need for affordable housing continues to outpace the supply. But while municipalities, developers, and communities work through planning, permitting, financing, and construction, families are making difficult decisions right now. Rent competes with groceries, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and every other necessity a household needs to stay afloat.

We are working to be part of the solution here at A New Leaf. Our La Mesita and Thunderbird Apartment communities provide affordable housing options for individuals and families who need a safe, stable place to call home. These communities are one part of our broader commitment to helping people move toward lasting housing stability.

Every family deserves access to safe, affordable housing. Arizona needs more of it, and we need to keep building solutions that meet families where they are today while creating a stronger housing future for everyone. 🤝 🏠

More than half of renter families with children are rent burdened as housing shortages and rising costs squeeze budgets.

08/27/2026

💻 We love seeing Arizona’s Children Association step up for teens in foster care through its Back-to-School Laptop Drive. The donated laptops will help students complete assignments, access educational resources, communicate with teachers, apply for jobs, and build skills to support their future success.

Back-to-school season should be filled with new opportunities, new goals, and the confidence that comes from having the tools you need to succeed. No young person should have to start the school year at a disadvantage simply because they lack access to technology.

At A New Leaf, we see every year how important that sense of readiness and routine can be for children facing difficult circumstances. Through our own back-to-school drives, families living in our affordable housing communities and staying in our shelters receive school supplies and other essentials so their children can walk into the classroom prepared.

For children who are in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or fleeing domestic violence, school can offer something especially important: a familiar routine, supportive adults, friendships, and a sense of normalcy during an otherwise uncertain time. Making sure children have what they need for school is one small but meaningful way to help protect that stability.

Have a gently used laptop you no longer need? The drive runs through August 31. Check out the article to discover donation locations across Arizona and help a young person start the school year with the tools they need to succeed. 🎒📚

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) - Arizona's Children Association is collecting gently used laptops for teens in foster care as students head back to school across the state.

08/26/2026

The new Pima Family Advocacy Center is opening its doors to survivors at a time when domestic violence services are facing growing demand and increasingly difficult funding challenges. 💜

Congratulations to everyone who made this center possible. Expanding access to coordinated, survivor-centered support means more people can find safety, advocacy, and resources when they need them most.

When more survivors are able to reach help, entire communities are safer. Survivors should be able to access compassionate, effective support no matter where they live in Arizona.

A New Leaf is proud to stand alongside organizations across our state working toward that future. Every survivor deserves a safe place to turn, and every community is stronger when that help is within reach.

Pima Family Advocacy Center announced fundraising efforts for a medical forensic suite to conduct r**e kits in a “trauma-informed” space.

08/26/2026

Happy National Women’s Equality Day 💜

Observed on August 26, this day commemorates the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which granted many women the right to vote in the United States. It’s important to recognize that women of color were still denied this right for years after.

Today, we honor the voices that led the way, reflect on the full history, and recognize that while progress has been made, there is still more work ahead. We celebrate the strength and impact of women in our communities.

08/25/2026

🚧 Arizona, we have a problem: our housing supply is not keeping up with what our communities need. Higher construction costs, labor shortages, permitting delays, and other barriers are slowing development, and when fewer homes are available, affordability becomes even harder to achieve.

We can debate the details of how and where Arizona should grow, but every community needs safe, affordable places for people to live. That means finding responsible ways to remove unnecessary barriers, encourage new construction, and expand the housing options available to working families.

At A New Leaf, we see every day what the housing affordability crisis means for our neighbors. Families are stretching already-tight budgets, people are struggling to find apartments within reach, and for some, one unexpected expense can put housing stability at risk.

Some progress is being made, but it is not enough. Arizona needs more housing, more affordable options, and faster action to make sure families are not priced out of the communities they call home.

Breaking this stalemate will require urgency, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to keeping housing within reach for the people who call this state home.

The latest housing numbers don’t look good. According to HUD data, home construction in Arizona has fallen to its lowest rate since the start of the pandemic.

08/24/2026

✍️💚 Make-A-Will Month is almost over.

If creating a will has been on your to-do list, now is the perfect time. Through A New Leaf's partnership with FreeWill, you can create your will online in about 20 minutes, completely free.

By including a gift to A New Leaf in your plans, you can help ensure future generations of Valley families have access to shelter, safety from domestic violence, housing, and the support they need to build brighter futures.

Don't let Make-A-Will Month pass you by. Create your free will today:

FreeWill lets you make your last will and testament quick, easy, and completely free. It is a simple online legal will maker that helps you compile will forms to print and sign, or to take as a basic will template to an estate planning lawyer. FreeWill is built alongside will making experts.

08/24/2026

Victoria suffered a serious head injury several years ago that has left her struggling to remember much of her life. Some days she struggles to count to ten, or even recognize her own children. “It’s hard, I worry about losing all of my memory sometimes. It’s scary. No one wants to forget the people they love, or who they are.”

While she does not remember much, she does know that this injury was not an accident. Victoria was attacked by her husband during an argument when he hit her in the head with a solid wooden table.

“All I remember was getting hit, and that was it. I went to the hospital and tried to get help, but my insurance wasn't good. Everything was so confusing to me at that time and I just wasn't able to really do anything myself.”

Victoria struggled to get by, frequently getting lost, and forgetting important things she needed to do. She went untreated for a long time and symptoms continued to escalate.

“I got lost all the time, and one night I just couldn't find my way home and I ended up homeless for a year. It was really scary, I had forgotten where I lived. All I wanted was to put myself in a safe situation, and I couldn’t get there.”

Traveling from homeless shelter to homeless shelter, she tried to find somewhere she could get the help she needed. Eventually, Victoria found a home at A New Leaf’s La Mesita Apartments.

“Coming here changed my life. I finally got physical therapy and could see a doctor. I have an amazing caseworker who helps me keep a schedule and budget my money, because those things are really hard for me now. It’s just been amazing.”

Surrounded by people that care for her, Victoria is slowly piecing her life back together, and is focused on improving her health and memory.

“I am keeping my goals small right now. I want to get healthy, I want to take care of myself. I don’t want to have to need all the help one day. But for now, I do need it and I try to tell myself that that’s okay.”

08/21/2026

Julissa “Julie” Salazar was only 19 years old when her life was taken in an alleged act of domestic violence. No young person should lose their future to abuse or violence, and no family should have to experience this kind of loss.

In the days since Julie’s death, a fellow University of Arizona student created a memorial in her honor, giving students a place to remember her while raising awareness about domestic violence. We are grateful to see this community honor Julie’s memory while encouraging conversations about warning signs, healthy relationships, and when to reach out for help.

Recognizing those signs can save lives. Isolation, extreme jealousy, controlling behavior, threats, strangulation, and violence involving weapons can all signal serious danger. Friends, classmates, coworkers, and family members can play an important role by recognizing concerning behavior, believing survivors, and helping them connect with resources.

At A New Leaf, we help survivors safely exit abusive situations and move toward safety. Through emergency shelter, transitional housing, safety planning, court advocacy, support groups, and other services, survivors can access compassionate support when they are ready to take that next step.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or these warning signs, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or texting BEGIN to 88788.

The murder of University of Arizona student Julissa “Julie” Salazar has reignited the discussion about domestic violence.