A New Leaf Awarded $30,000 Grant for Economic Mobility Program

The funding will help low-income, justice-involved individuals secure and maintain employment

PHOENIX (Oct. 29, 2024) – FHLBank San Francisco, in collaboration with Desert Financial Credit Union, awarded A New Leaf a $30,000 grant to support low-income, formerly incarcerated individuals in Maricopa County achieve self-sufficiency.

A New Leaf is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive services including housing and shelter, education, career training, and financial literacy programs that provide pathways to long-term stability for disadvantaged individuals and families in Arizona. This grant will allow A New Leaf to serve 60 additional clients in the next year through its Greater Economic Mobility Program. 

"A New Leaf is extremely grateful for Desert Financial Credit Union's longtime partnership! With Desert Financial's support as a Federal Home Loan Bank member, A New Leaf has been awarded an AHEAD grant to expand the Greater Economic Mobility (GEM) Program. This investment from FHLB will provide life-changing support for justice-involved individuals overcoming barriers to gaining and maintaining self-sufficiency and stability,” said A New Leaf’s CEO, Michael Hughes. “Thank you, FHLB, for partnering with A New Leaf in its mission of ‘helping families, changing lives!’"

Desert Financial nominated A New Leaf through the AHEAD Program, which is sponsored by FHLBank San Francisco. AHEAD Program grants enable FHLBank San Francisco members like Desert Financial to give a critical boost to local economic development programs and projects that directly address the needs in low- to moderate-income communities.

“A New Leaf was awarded the full amount of funding requested, which is a testament to the organization’s proven methods to improve the lives of underserved individuals in Arizona,“ said Desert Financial Credit Union Executive Vice President Jack Biggs. “We’re proud to play a role in a program that will help so many in our community improve their financial wellness.”

A New Leaf’s Greater Economic Mobility Program assists low- to moderate-income justice-involved individuals in Maricopa County with overcoming barriers to gaining and maintaining self-sufficiency and stability and reducing recidivism. This funding will allow A New Leaf to offer supplement services including assistance with healthcare, proper identification, computer access, mentorship, transportation, and more. These services provide critical support for formerly incarcerated individuals in the Phoenix Metro area to pursue, secure, and maintain employment.

The AHEAD program grant is a part of a competitive process which attracted more than 300 applications.

“These grants will help boost economic opportunity and create access to vital services and support that can be life-changing for people living in underserved communities,” said Eric Cicourel, community investment officer for FHLBank San Francisco. “We’re proud that for 20 years and counting, the AHEAD Program continues to make a positive impact throughout the communities we serve.” 

To learn more about the services A New Leaf provides or to get involved, visit www.turnanewleaf.org.

To learn more about how Desert Financial gives back to the community, visit DesertFinancial.com/Community.

For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2025, please contact Desert Financial Credit Union or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website.

About A New Leaf 

A New Leaf is committed to “Helping Families, Changing Lives” by providing life-changing services to those facing domestic violence, homelessness, and other heartbreaking challenges. With nearly 40 programs at locations across the Valley, A New Leaf works to address some of the most pressing challenges in our local community. With 53 years of service in the Valley, A New Leaf anticipates improving more than 23,000 lives this year through comprehensive programming. To learn more about A New Leaf and its services visit turnanewleaf.org or to donate visit turnanewleaf.org/donate/.  

About Desert Financial Credit Union

Celebrating 85 years in Arizona, Desert Financial is the state's most trusted local credit union with over $8 billion in assets, 450,000+ members and nearly 50 branches. Membership eligibility is open across Arizona with contactless solutions making it easy to click, call or come in. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2024, members received $20 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus. Desert Financial is the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University® and the official banking partner of the Arizona Cardinals, NAU Athletics and the NAU Alumni Association. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at desertfinancial.com.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.