A young girl hugging her mom.

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, one of Arizona’s largest domestic violence shelters 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

Kate Thoene

Chief Executive Officer


Kate Thoene

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 Rose

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.

Angela Rose

Jason Moore

Chief Financial and Operating Officer


Jason brings extensive experience in nonprofit financial and operational leadership to his role at New Life Center. As Chief Financial and Operating Officer, he oversees budgeting, financial strategy, and day-to-day operations to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of our mission. Jason is deeply committed to using sound financial stewardship to advance meaningful, mission-driven work. His leadership supports New Life Center’s efforts to provide safety, healing, and hope to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. In addition to his role at New Life Center, Jason serves on the Board of Directors for the Grand Canyon Institute, where he contributes to nonpartisan, evidence-based public policy development.

Board of Directors


Board Officers

Shelly Ward, President

City of Mesa Police Department

Victim Services Administrator

Shawn Watt, Vice President

Arizona Community Foundation

Education & Scholarship Advisor

Sandra Torre, Treasurer

LAVIDGE

Co-President & Chief Financial Officer

Laura Dickscheid, Secretary

AZ Hospital & Healthcare Association

VP of Member Services

Board Members

Eddie James

Harvest Wealth Management

Owner

Jenn Bruno

3Z Brands

Chief HR Officer

Amy Malloy

Evolve Ventures

Managing Principal

Nick Bauman

Anderson Clarkson Brown

Partner

Emeritus Board Members

Sheriff Paul Penzone

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department

Joe LeDuc

Scottsdale Police Department

Chris Reynoso

Salt River Project