A New Leaf has helped others, now it gets $200K grant
Non-profit has helped other agencies survive, now it's recognized as 'neighborhood builder'
by Jim Walsh - Oct. 20, 2010 10:08 AM
The Arizona Republic
A New Leaf helped other non-profits survive, allowing them to continue services for the disadvantaged during the recession.
Now Bank of America is recognizing A New Leaf as a "neighborhood builder," awarding the multi-dimensional non-profit agency with a $200,000 grant.
"They actually collaborated and saved a couple of different agencies," said Kellie Manthe, senior vice president of corporate responsibility for Arizona and New Mexico. "They have a good reputation in partnering with other agencies."
Manthe cited A New Leaf's merger this summer with A and A Cottages, a move that allowed the transitional housing program for former foster children who are too old to stay in foster care, but not mature enough to live on their own, to continue and improve.
The trend toward social agencies merging, collaborating, or following new business practices to attract revenue was spotlighted in a Mesa Republic story on Sept. 25.
The award is part of Bank of America's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. Two non-profits in each of 45 markets receive the $200,000 grants.
The other Valley winner is the Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development of Phoenix, which targets homeless youths.
The donation is among the largest received by A New Leaf in one lump sum and includes training and development for staff members designed to sustain programs, said Torrie Taj, the organization's executive vice president.
"This is huge, huge, huge for us. It shows they have a lot of trust in us," she said. "The seal of approval and the vote of confidence is worth its weight in gold."
She said the donation helps to compensate for a decline in giving from other sources during the economic downturn.
The recipients, along with five "Local Heroes" recognized for their dedication to helping the disadvantaged, were to be honored this morning at 7:30 in ceremonies at the Phoenix Zoo.
Elijah Carlos of Mesa, a graduate of Westwood High School in Mesa who interned last summer at the East Valley Boys & Girls Club, was to speak.
A New Leaf serves 20,000 people a year in the Valley with services ranging from homeless and domestic violence programs to youth and community behavioral health programs.
Among A New Leaf's most high profile Mesa programs are the East Valley Men's Center, La Mesita Family Shelter and Autumn House, a domestic violence shelter.
The Tumbleweed Center, in central Phoenix, serves 3,000 homeless, abandoned and troubled youths 11 to 22 years old.
It offers street outreach, an emergency shelter, a drop-in program for homeless youths, an independent-living program, juvenile placement, family-building services, and an education and employment guidance center.
The Bank of America program has donated more than $3.1 million to Valley non-profit agencies since 2004. Taj said this is the first time A New Leaf has been selected.
Taj said A New Leaf's multi-dimensional services probably contributed to the non-profit agency being selected for the highly-competitive grant. Other than the training component, there are no restrictions on how the money can be spent on community programs.
