New Beginnings at New Leaf

Interfaith Works’ New Leaf shelter is a low-barrier, 30-bed emergency shelter serving adults of all genders. The entrance to New Leaf includes an important symbol: the image of a tree hanging on the wall with keys hanging from different branches. This tree represents progress in the lives of our residents.

Every time one of our clients moves out, they write their initials on a key. Staff attach a decorative leaf, and each is then hung on the tree.

New Leaf Program Director Katie Guzzey explains, “For clients, it shows that they do in fact move out of the shelter and hopefully gain motivation from seeing the tree grow. For our staff, it is a constant reminder of why we come to work and the lives they've touched. For me, the keys represent new beginnings. Everyone who comes into New Leaf has a past, something they feel may hold them back, or something they feel they're judged for. But at New Leaf, we are here for them regardless and hope to show them they are more than their past and that a future does exist outside of their current circumstances!”

Katie shared a quote that she feels captures this best:

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be... You can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald