A New Leaf

Volunteer Engagement

Church Members are an Integral Part of a New Leaf’s Volunteer Team

Colette has been volunteering her entire life, first at school, then through her church, and now with A New Leaf. For her, service to your community should always be a top priority, no matter where you are in your life.

“I grew up in Mesa, I went to school here, I go to church here, and I raised my children here – I feel a commitment to the community, that I want to improve it as much as I can. A New Leaf has given me the platform to do exactly that, and with so many people.”

Colette began working at A New Leaf only a few hours a week, helping to organize donations and food boxes, but she quickly saw the opportunity to do more.

“I knew so many people that needed help, and so many people that wanted to help, but they struggled to find each other. I found that at A New Leaf, I could bring these two groups of people together and make a remarkable impact.”

This started with Colette’s family, all of whom are active volunteers now. Quickly, she got her neighbors, friends, and eventually strangers, to donate their time and talents to A New Leaf.

“I love to serve with my family. The opportunities to have my children serve with me, it’s been so meaningful to serve side by side. But while volunteering here, my family has grown to include the staff, donors, and other volunteers here at A New Leaf. This community work has given me so many wonderful people in my life.”

A leader in the community, Colette is now the Volunteer Chair at A New Leaf, working to engage hundreds of other volunteers in the community. She spends her time helping others to make an impact, playing an important role in the East Valley.

“I know there are people like me out there that want to help, and I just want so much to show them that all you need is time to serve. Skills and qualifications are not as important as having the time and desire to serve, we can teach you what you need to know if you are offering to help.”

Colette sees so many opportunities for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to get involved and help those in need. She now leads the use of JustServe, offering projects across the Valley.

“A New Leaf works to end homelessness domestic violence, poverty, and so many other heartbreaking challenges, and that means there’s so many ways to help! I’ve worked on things ranging from an Eagle Project, to a youth activity, to a stake project, and more. We offer recurring and one-time projects – just about any opportunity you are looking for, we are able to offer it.”

To volunteer go to: turnanewleaf. org/volunteer or justserve.org/anewleaf

Volunteer Colette hard at work serving those served by A New Leaf. Photo by A New Leaf

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Local Native American Roots

Continued from pg. 20

that divine gift, he tried to always be spiritually prepared.

Little Fawn likewise had an ancestor blessed with great communication skills. Her ancestor spoke both dialects of O’odham (language of the Papago and Pima people), Spanish, and eventually English. When Brigham Young sent two missionaries to this area, Henry Clay Rogers, who Photo by Robin Finlinson could speak Spanish, Denna Squire displays photos and information about her and Daniel W. Jones, he ancestors at the Mesa Temple Visitors Center. promised them that they would know where to settle when they arrived. Elder Rogers indeed saw a vision! He saw a man on a white horse by a river, cottonwood trees, an adobe house, and the place where they would settle upon their arrival. In time, the man in the vision - Little Fawn’s great grandfather, Encarnación Valenzuela, whose nickname was “the Papago” - would become their interpreter and the first Native American missionary for the Church. Miracles abounded with the trio, sometimes providing water to those they taught during a drought. Hundreds of Native Americans were baptized, and the prayers of Enos (Enos 1:11-13) began to be answered. Some who were baptized even had the last name “Enos.” The Papago Ward was established in 1884, named in honor of the interpreter. The Papago passed away before

Continued on pg. 26

Photo by Robin Finlinson Little Fawn Grey Loring displays photos and information about her ancestors in her home.

the mural photo was taken, as did Denna’s great great grandfather, Bishop George Mason Tiffany, another man of faith with whom the Papago honorably served the Lord.

“No tribe uses the word ‘goodbye,’” says Little Fawn. “It’s always, ‘I’ll see you again.’”

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2021 Taxes Due April 18, 2022

1012 S. Stapley Drive, Bldg 4 Suite 114, Mesa AZ 85204