Newsletter – August 2025

14th First Place Global Symposium Agenda Announced

We’re excited to share the full agenda for October’s must-attend event in beautiful Phoenix. Check out what you’ll experience during three energizing, informative days with today’s most important changemakers in healthcare, housing, education and workplace/workforce development for adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). You can also register here.

Check out this short video of compelling scheduled speaker Matthew Goodwin, Ph.D., interdisciplinary professor at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, who talks about breakthroughs in wearable biosensors predicting the onset of aggressive behavior.

Transition Academy grad exemplifies success of program’s first decade.

For 10 transformative years, the First Place Transition Academy has been guiding young adults with autism through a groundbreaking two-year curriculum that helps build crucial independent living and career-readiness skills. With clinical services provided by Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), the program has graduated 100+ students over the past decade. Ian, one of our first graduates, tells us how he’s putting his skills to work.

American Artists Appreciation Month

Art is one of the many ways residents express their independence. In honor of August’s American Artist Appreciation Month, we’re sharing some colorful moments from all kinds of artful activities in our very own on-site Space to Create studio. Huge thanks to the many First Place–Phoenix staff members and visiting artists who foster all this creativity—and a big shout-out to the Liebowitz Family and their friends who helped bring this amazing space to life!

2025 Legal Options Resource Manual a valuable resource.

Here’s the 2025 Legal Options Resource Manual recently shared with First Place AZ by Victoria Simmons, City of Surprise administrative specialist, who noted, “It may help answer many questions and serve as a guide for individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers.” Huge thanks to Disabilities Rights Arizona for this valuable resource and the City of Surprise for connecting our communities to ensure all residents are valued, included—and at home in Arizona!

First Place–Phoenix resident Ethan an inspiration to us all. (Plus he’s a rock star!)

Through an innovative partnership with Foundation for Blind Children, Ethan has made himself at home at First Place–Phoenix, where he explores a life of greater independence—and possibilities. Thanks to his drive and sense of adventure, he has quickly learned new life and job skills, and is making friends and participating in lots of fun-filled, memory-making community life activities. Watch here!

Community Life checks all the boxes this month: food, art and recreation!

Leave it to longtime First Place–Phoenix champions and volunteer chefs Jessica Hipskind and Paula Green to make enchiladas extra enticing. Residents and staff recently gathered in the on-site teaching kitchen to collaborate on a healthy meal with all the fixings. Thanks, Jessica and Paula, for always making your visits so delightful—and delish!

Art class turned into art glass when residents got together recently in the Space to Create. What a refreshing way to get creative!

Residents hit the bowling alley this month in search of strikes and spares—or any number of pins to score. Donning her own shoes and lugging her own ball, Elizabeth’s high-fives showed her avid enthusiasm for this popular year-round activity.

National Wellness Month a reminder to focus on health and well-being year-round.

August was the ideal time to recognize the many ways residents commit to their physical and mental well-being. Along with our always-energized volunteers and First Place–Phoenix support staff, they stay healthy any way they see fit!