About Us

Our Mission

Helping to eliminate domestic and sexual violence through supportive service, education, and expertise.

At New Life Center, we’re reimagining what our communities, and our lives, could look like without the fear and consequences of violence. We envision a society where every human feels safe, valued, and respected, allowing them to live the fullest life possible. That’s why it’s our mission to ensure safe, stable communities by preventing and responding to domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.

Building communities free of violence is not an easy feat. With every aspect of our work, we’re that much closer to making it a reality for Arizonans.

We Envision An Arizona where all live free of domestic and sexual violence

History of New Life Center

New Life Center began as a vision of members of the Soroptimist International of Estrella – a woman-centric civic organization formed in 1921 in Oakland, California – who were moved by a presentation about the widespread nature of domestic violence and the critical need for shelters. Their heightened awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence in Maricopa County prompted the group to attend a chamber of commerce committee in 1986 where members of the community indicated a need for services for victims and their children. When it became clear no other group would take the lead in establishing a shelter on the westside of the county, the Soroptomist group decided to take action and establish a shelter on their own under the name “New Life Shelter” the next year. From there, Arizona’s largest domestic violence and sexual assault shelter was born.

a very neat and clean dormitory style bedroom with a bunk bed.

Senior Leadership

The New Life Center leadership team is comprised of compassionate, dedicated, and highly qualified professionals in the domestic violence space. Meet the team helping us build safer communities across Arizona.

Kate Thoene

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Kate has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector here in The Valley. Over the past 25 years, she has held various leadership roles where her work has increased capacity and community impact for several nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining New Life Center, Kate was the Executive Director at Waste Not. She was also the Chief Social Enterprise Officer at UMOM and the Director of Community Kitchen Programs at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, where she worked for ten years. Kate teaches Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation and New Business Models at ASU’s Nonprofit Management Institute and she serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and AZ Impact For Good.

Angela Rose

Chief Programs Officer

Angela has worked in the field of victim services for over 20 years, previously serving as the Manager of a Victim Services Division for a municipal Prosecutor’s Office, overseeing victim advocacy services for approximately 4,000 victims annually. Angela has also worked in numerous human services capacities, including as a domestic violence advocate, transitional housing case manager director, and mobile crisis response. Angela has served on the Executive Board of the Arizona Coalition for Victim Services and trains Advocates and criminal justice professionals throughout the state of Arizona on topics related to advocacy and victimization.

Bismark Annor

Chief Financial Officer

Biz has extensive finance experience in both corporate and 501c3 organizations serving in executive roles. Over the last 16 years Biz’s professional journey has been nothing short of incredible, going from healthcare to corporate and then non profit organizations. In all these areas Biz have been fortunate to be able to harness innovative ideas and infuse them with structured processes to drive results. In his most recent past organization, the dynamic nature of Biz’s background enabled him to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic to align finance with the organization’s strategic plan for growth. Biz is affiliated with and/or a member of AICPA, FEI, AFP and currently serves on the Board of Arrowhead Medical & Wellness and Camel Estates.