1. Our mission keeps us on a steady course!

2. A New Leaf Helping Families, Changing Lives Behavioral Health Agency since 1971 – Primary focus areas Homeless and Domestic Violence Shelters Residential Treatment for Youth Outpatient Community Counseling Merged with Community Action Program in 2006 Emergency Shelter Emergency CAP services IDA program VITA site

3. Mesa Community Action Network Services the third largest city in the state 300-450 families served/month Home to MariSol Federal Credit Union Branch since 2005 Home to Maricopa County WIC and Immunization services since 2008

4. MariSol Federal Credit Union Began as Maricopa County Employees Federal Credit Union in 1954 Changed name to MariSol FCU in 2003 MFCU purpose …To deliver savings, solutions and service to its membership. MCFU Mission … To deliver high quality member services that meet the financial needs of our members while maintaining a strong financial condition. As a financial cooperative, we leverage our members' resources to directly benefit them and the communities in which they live. MariSol Federal Credit Union is committed to financial inclusion and empowerment by expanding access to affordable and equitable financial services for all.

5. MariSol/Mesa CAN partnership Opened their 3 rd Branch in our lobby in 2005 – Our zip code is home to the most low-income people in the county Became a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2010 – Strive to provide products as an alternative to payday lending – Cater to low income, unbanked and under- banked (Will make $25 first deposit for customers) – Microenterprise initiative Services for ANL employees and clients

6. Partnership (cont.) MariSol CEO serves on our Tripartite Board (since 2008) MariSol has hosted resource fairs for our shared clients at Mesa CAN. In 2008 and 2012, MariSol board provided non-federal match dollars for our IDA grants. MariSol houses our IDA customer accounts and assists with IDA customer mortgages. MariSol provides our financial literacy classes free of charge to our clients.

7. Mesa CAN: Started the IDA program and from 2000-2005 received 5 subsequent AFI grants Merged with A New Leaf -2006 Little IDA activity at time of merger-30 total participants, most for home ownership Began focusing on education IDAs to improve college attendance/graduation rates in Mesa. Mesa Community College/ Mesa CAN partnership

8. Partnership (cont.) Mesa Community College: Is the largest community college in the state Has four separate campuses (2 in Mesa) Serves many low-income students Began looking at ways to serve more students and improve associate degree or certificate completion

9. What is an Education IDA? It is an OPPORTUNITY for a low to moderate income student to save their earned income and have it matched though Federal and private funding.

10. Logistics A New Leaf had over one million dollars in AFI grant dollars that weren’t being utilized. Began discussions with Mesa United Way and Mesa Community College regarding potential partners to assist us in leveraging funds. In summer of 2008entered partnership with all 3 entities to create Fast Tracking the Dream

11. Logistics (cont.) All 3 partners engaged in funding requests with other Mesa stakeholders – Banks, foundations, non-profits Close to 180 participants and over 60 graduates Main premises: – Low-income are disadvantaged and need access to post-secondary education – Reduced private and government grant aid available – Increased cost of higher education resulting in staggering debt that a typical student will acquire

13. All partners will promote : Operational Support Operational Support Program Awareness Program Awareness Recruitment of Students Recruitment of Students Acquiring non-federal match Acquiring non-federal match Successfully acquiring future Assets for Independence Grants (AFI) Successfully acquiring future Assets for Independence Grants (AFI)

14. Thank you! Questions?? Kathy Di Nolfi Executive Director Mesa Community Action Network A New Leaf 480-833-9200 X 3404 kdinolfi@turnanewleaf.org