Moving Day—Only 20+ Years in the Making!

The first week of July ushered in a virtual beehive of activity with the opening of First Place–Phoenix on July 2. From the steady stream moving into the modern, brand-new building at Third Street and Cataline Drive (you can’t miss it!) to a wide range of welcome and orientation activities, residents, Transition Academy participants, family members and staff were busy transforming First Place into “home.” 

Heartfelt thanks to Sprouts Farmers Market and First Watch! Sprouts helped us stock those awesome welcome baskets and donated yummy food and fixings for the welcome barbecues. First Watch treated everyone to healthy and delicious family brunches. Community life is off to a great start with pool-party fun, group outings and that exciting, getting-to-know-you settling in. Welcome, Firsties! 

Additional apartment units are being released for immediate leasing. Contact Sara Hetrick, director of community life and support services, at sara@firstplaceaz.org for more information.

The First Place website officially reflects our “now open” status and includes some inspiring images. We hope you'll check it out and share!

Welcome, First Place
Transition Academy Participants!

First Place–Phoenix warmly welcomed 18 freshmen this month, the very first to attend the Transition Academy as First Place property residents. Sophomores are now continuing their studies and experiences at 29 Palms in Phoenix, an affordable housing property established through a collaboration between the Foundation for Senior Living, First Place and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). Participants will be taking part in Learn4IndependenceTM, a two-year curriculum of 32 semester-length courses (17 weeks each) created by First Place and SARRC taught on-site at GateWay Community College in Phoenix. They apply what they learn every day in their apartments, throughout First Place and 29 Palms, and within the greater community—the best places to practice new independent living skills!

A Mother’s Meaningful Musings

The best perspectives come from those who know a subject inside and out—and have the personal, first-hand and frontline experience to offer thoughtful, meaningful and hopeful insights to those who walk in the same shoes…and to those who don’t. For a poignant sample of Denise Resnik’s reflections on the many goings-on at the newly opened First Place–Phoenix, read her blogs that orbit around her 27-year-old son Matt, who she has always called her “North Star.”

Another Perspective Worth Reading

Denise Resnik was recently asked to contribute an article to the Perspective section of the Organization for Autism Research’s July newsletter, “The Oaracle,” with its theme of independence. Any way you slice it, she acknowledges the need for more housing choices for special populations. OAR was created in 2001 and is led by parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum. The nonprofit uses applied science to answer challenging questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers face on a daily basis.

Join Us for a Tour…

…and experience all that First Place–Phoenix has to offer. First Place helps connect residents to community opportunities—including jobs and volunteer work—along with retail, restaurants, recreation, arts and culture, and a variety of venues for continuing education. Make the most of your personal space, maximize your independence and have fun with friends in your new home at First Place! Choose a tour that works for you.

Save the Date(s)!

First Place–Phoenix Housewarming & Open House, Sept. 21 & 22  
Join us for the long-awaited First Place–Phoenix housewarming and open house events, as we introduce ourselves to the community and thank our ever-generous donors and partners. We would never have been able to realize this one-of-a-kind development without you! More details to follow.

First Place Global Leadership Institute Fall Symposium, Oct. 24–26
Experience the supportive community described as "the most autism-friendly city in the world" by PBS NewsHour and join pioneering leaders, families and organizations in taking those next steps to building your own supportive community. Learn more—then reserve your spot!

The “Accidental Advocate” for PWD

Read the inspiring story of Randy Lewis, who has led successful disability employment initiates at top U.S. companies (Walgreens and UPS sound familiar?). Lewis is on a mission to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities, or PWD, who currently experience a 70-90% unemployment rate. Lewis found inspiration in his son, who has autism and who drives Lewis’ passion for his groundbreaking “No Greatness Without Goodness Disability Initiative,” also known as the NOGWOG Disability Initiative, or NDI. “Ten years ago, when I talked about this, people would ask why…,” says Lewis. “At least the door is open now.” Learn more about this amazing initiative that is rapidly gaining traction across the U.S.

Copyright © 2018 First Place AZ, All rights reserved.


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