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Newsletter – December 2024

 

Annual Tour of Doors makes

another successful holiday entrance.

Knock-knock. Who’s there? December! First Place–Phoenix residents opened up and put their creativity on display for the annual First Place–Phoenix Tour of Doors. Every year, participants decorate their apartment doors to get into the holiday spirit and spread joy throughout the First Place community. Staff, family and friends strolled the festive halls of each floor to admire the creative themes then stayed for hot chocolate and s’mores. Awards ranged from best in pop culture and DIY to funniest and most colorful. Kudos and happy holidays to all!

Creating new employment opportunities.

Roughly 60 to 80% of adults with autism spectrum disorder in Arizona are currently unemployed, according to the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security. The good news is we can help change that for adults with autism and other disabilities. Through the Be Open + Be Ready℠ workforce and workplace development program, we’re breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities. Together, we can build a more inclusive workforce. Learn more and join us in this groundbreaking initiative.

A fun way to gather data for the
Cincinnati Housing Market Analysis.

EmpowerMe Living and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati successfully combined ugly holiday sweaters with a survey watch party to kick off the latest housing market analysis. Local self-advocates, family members and caregivers gathered to participate in the evening session by answering various questions about their housing and community needs and preferences, first steps to the development of the Cincinnati Housing Market Analysis planned for early 2025. Learn more about other First Place AZ market studies in areas across the U.S.

Make an impact.

This holiday season, give adults with autism and/or neurodevelopment disabilities opportunities for pride, purpose and endless possibilities™. Your year-end donation to First Place AZ supports education, housing, employment, healthcare and community programs that help them lead more independent lives. Together, we’re building a more diverse and inclusive future. You can donate here. Thank you!

Residents are busy with Community Life.

Leave it to longtime First Place champion K2 Adventures Foundation to come up with a clever and colorful craft for the holidays: Residents decorated their very own trees! Each one was a true expression of creativity, with their individual personalities shining through. Thank you, K2 Foundation—you have filled First Place–Phoenix with a tree-mendous amount of cheer!

With guitar in hand and joy in her heart, board-certified music therapist Autumn McClintock got residents singing in perfect holiday—and a little humorous—harmony. Thank you, Autumn, for bringing your merry Mind-Full Music vibes to First Place–Phoenix. It’s always a treat—especially this time of year!

Social Spin Foundation, an innovative nonprofit “Connecting Communities, Providing Fresh Starts,” offers free laundry and other essential services to individuals in need. First Place–Phoenix residents recently returned to Social Spin’s Phoenix location on a volunteering outing to help organize donations and maintain the facility. Residents benefit from and enjoy opportunities like this to connect and give back—and we’re grateful to Social Spin for all the good they do!

2025 First Place play rehearsals are underway.

Residents and star volunteer director/graduate student Rachel Hutzenbiler from ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts gathered to rehearse songs for “Spelling Bee,” the upcoming First Place–Phoenix musical theater production. Next stop spring 2025: Phoenix Center for the Arts, which has become a familiar venue—this will be our fourth appearance on the big stage there! All made possible through yet another invaluable Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

 

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