Our History

Through the efforts of Stan and Irene Burnstein, A New Leaf, Inc. opened for business in May, 1979, with the purpose of providing horticultural-related job training to developmentally disabled adults.

The Burnsteins, owners of Omni Air International, envisioned a unique working environment for their developomentally disabled daughter. Along with David Berstein, who at the time was the Executive Director of Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, and Cindy Wade Donathan, the first executive director, the Burnsteins toured Melwood Horticultural Training Center in Annapolis, Maryland, in search of a model to provide a new form of job training. The Burnsteins have maintained an active role in ANL throughout its 25-year history. Without their vision and support, ANL would have remained a only a vision.

A New Leaf, Inc. was first housed in a small greenhouse on the Broken Arrow Gatesway Foundation campus on East College where it employed one-and-a-half staff persons and served two trainees. By 1980, thirteen individuals were participating in the program.

In 1986, the agency launched a fund-raising campaign to raise funds matched by the Mabee Foundation and purchased land on First Street where it built its first 12,000-square-foot greenhouse, completed in April 1988. The permanent building housing offices, classrooms and retail area was completed and dedicated in July.

Other milestones in ANL's 30-year history:

  • Certified in 1982 as a sheltered workshop through the State of Oklahoma and began receiving DHS/DDSD funding. The organization continued to expand services by signing a contract with Broken Arrow Public Schools to provide vocational training for high school special education students.
  • In 1982 the ANL Board of Directors voted to pursue application as a Tulsa Area United Way agency.
  • In January 1986, earned a challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation to raise $300,000 of a total $500,000 project to move to its current location. The fundraising goal was met in December and ANL moved to its First Place location on July 9, 1988, with a total growing space of 12,000 sq. ft.
  • Expanded into the community in 1990 through the hiring of a landscape program manager, who supervised trainees in providing residential lawn maintenance services within the community. The first community-based, interior plant maintenance contract was signed with Hilti Corporation.
  • In December 2000, implemented on-site plant sales at large companies within the Tulsa area, allowing even more trainees to serve in community settings by selling seasonal plants and gardening supplies in the lobbies or cafeterias of large companies.
  • In January 2001, implemented an In-Home Waiver Program, providing support to parents by providing a respite program allowing parents to hire in-home staff to assist in the care of their child.
  • In January 2005, began a delivery wholesale program serving florist and nurseries in the entire metro area.  This affords individuals the opportunity to sell their products with a personal connection to other business owners.
  • Fall of 2007 we launched our monthly tour and presentation: Planting S.E.E.D.S. for Life.  This is an opportunity to educate and expose the community to the behind the scenes look at who A New Leaf  is and the people with support.
  • February 2009 we launched Club 36.  This program offers an engaging, entertaining and interactive opportunity in the before and after time frame, allowing parents to meet their job needs while their special needs children are being supervised in a safe environment.
  • March 2009 A New Leaf named Vocational Provider of the Year for Oklahoma by the OK Association of Persons in Supported Employment (OKAPSE)

Click to View TulsaPeople Article - May Issue  

A New Leaf, Inc. continues to offer integrated community based job sites in job sharing and enclaves at various employers in the city.  Any employer can hire a crew or individual from A New Leaf.


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