We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kate Thoene. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kate below.
Kate , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
Without naming names, “Mabel”, an 81-year-old faced abuse from her daughter who she lived with. After being thrown out of her home with her beloved dog, “Mabel” found refuge at New Life Center, where our trauma-informed approach ensured her and her dog received immediate care and support. Mabel was provided with safe housing, nutritious meals tailored to her dietary needs, and access to medical resources, while her dog also received essential supplies. Now, “Mabel” and her little companion are thriving in a loving community, proving that our services can make a profound difference in the lives of anyone facing the realities of domestic violence.
Kate , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in Phoenix, where I developed a deep connection to my community. My father’s career in local, state, and federal law enforcement was a profound inspiration, as I witnessed firsthand the impact of his contributions to others. My first nonprofit job was providing respite care to individuals with disabilities, an experience that taught me I could build a career by helping others. Since then, I’ve dedicated over 25 years to the nonprofit sector, here in Phoenix, driven by a passion for using my career to improve the lives of others. Along the way, I’ve been so fortunate to work alongside and learn from incredible leaders who have been examples for me. These experiences have helped shape my leadership style and inspired me to take on roles that address critical community needs. Today, as the interim CEO of New Life Center, I am honored to lead an organization with amazing coworkers who provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. My career has been guided by resilience, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?
From its humble origins as an emergency refuge for West Valley survivors of violence, New Life Center has intentionally evolved into a statewide leader in emergency shelter and outreach support – all while remaining rooted in its mission of eliminating domestic and sexual violence through support services, education, and expertise. Through this impactful mission, New Life Center ensures safe, stable communities so that all have a safe place to call home.
When New Life Center opened in 1991 in an abandoned dormitory hidden away on the grounds of a popular resort in Litchfield Park, it was the first domestic violence shelter in the West Valley. The donated, makeshift space – lovingly refurbished by volunteers and community donors – offered eight beds and most importantly, safety and compassion for families fleeing their homes as victims of domestic violence. Three decades later, New Life Center has grown into one of the largest stand-alone domestic violence shelters in Arizona with 104 beds.
A major challenge in our state is the pervasiveness and effects of domestic violence. New Life Center is critically aware of this and is working to provide safety and resources to as many families as possible. We know that domestic violence is not just a women’s issue; it’s a community issue. Using a trauma-informed model, NLC’s emergency shelter provides refuge and essential services for approximately 350 adult and child survivors escaping from varying forms of violence each year, including human trafficking. Services are offered to Maricopa County residents from all backgrounds. In addition to emergency shelter, NLC offers wrap-around services to help survivors stabilize and begin their journey free from violence.
The work at New Life Center is possible through the incredible generosity of our community. We need financial donations to support our operations, donated items for those residing at our emergency shelter and volunteers to help us at our social enterprise thrift store, Hope’s Closet. We ask that those interested visit www.newlifectr.org/get-involved
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A pivotal experience that shaped who I am today was losing a job I had loved and been in for 10 years. I believed it was my perfect fit, but after raising concerns about an unethical issue within the agency, I was let go. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I eventually pursued CEO roles that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. It taught me resilience and the importance of standing by my values.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://newlifectr.org
- Instagram: newlifectr
