By Mary Goldmeer
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West Valley based New Life Center, one of Arizona’s largest shelters for survivors of domestic violence, has appointed Kate Thoene as its new interim CEO.

Thoene, who has served as the organization’s chief strategy officer for three years, will lead the center for the next six months.

Before joining New Life Center, Thoene served as executive director of Waste Not, chief social enterprise officer at UMOM, and director of community kitchen programs at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, bringing 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.

Thoene also teaches social entrepreneurship and nonprofit management at Arizona State University.

“My focus during this transition is on maintaining seamless operations, assessing and prioritizing key agency initiatives, and driving fundraising efforts to ensure New Life Center continues to meet the needs of survivors and our community,” Thoene said.

As interim CEO, Thoene will focus on maintaining operations, driving fundraising efforts, and assessing key priorities for New Life Center, which provides shelter and support services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Founded in 1991, New Life Center offers emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and children’s services for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The center provides trauma-informed care and helps survivors rebuild their lives.

The organization also works to raise awareness of domestic violence through educational programs and prevention efforts within the community.  

Part of the community outreach at New Life Center Hope’s Closet, a thrift store in Goodyear. The store generates funding for the shelter and provides free clothing, furniture, and other essentials to survivors. Donations of clothing, household goods, electronics, and furniture are accepted, with unsold items being passed on to partner organizations.

“Every dollar that we generate here will help survivors of violence, and if things are not used here, they will also benefit others,” Thoene said.

Hope’s Closet also provides affordable goods to the community. The store hosts a 50% off sale on the first Friday of each month to encourage local shoppers to contribute to the cause.

“We do everything we can to sell our items instead of them going into a landfill,” Thoene said. “We have an amazing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters that’s items that we are not able to sell here, they will purchase it from us, and it goes to their nonprofit too. We really throw almost nothing away.”

With the giving season approaching, New Life Center is continuing to raise funds and engage the community to support its work. 

“Every dollar we generate here helps survivors of violence rebuild their lives,” Thoene said.

Visit newlifectr.org for more information.