Newsletter – November 2025

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Residents always look forward to the annual Thanksgiving visit from Chef Titina, who leads everyone through a delicious, memorable community meal with a typical Titina twist on the trimmings. This year’s fare: turkey empanadas with a fresh, seasonal salad!

It’s easy to be thankful with dedicated volunteers like Chef Titina, who was also honored as a 2025 Women of Achievement by In Business Magazine—in good company with First Place AZ Founder & President/CEO Denise D. Resnik, who received the magazine’s Linda M. Herold Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you, Chef Titina, for putting the fun in food at First Place–Phoenix!

Love, Courage & — Meet Emily Kendall!

Through the “Love, Courage &” film series, we’ve heard heartfelt stories of tireless advocacy and ingenuity from parents who are First Place friends and collaborators. The series continues with Emily Kendall, co-founder and president of EmpowerMe Living and Luke’s Mom.

2025 Taste of Biltmore event benefits First Place.

Every year, the amazing people at National Bank of Arizona bring together nearly 30 of the Valley’s best food and beverage vendors for a lively and fun-loving fundraiser—and this year, they chose First Place AZ as the beneficiary! Thank you, National Bank of Arizona, for the hard work and big heart you put into this very special annual evening. You are true stewards of our community and we’re deeply grateful you made it all happen on behalf of adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Community Life connects residents with animals for some reciprocal TLC.

The resident horses at Hunkapi Farms in north Scottsdale are getting to know the residents of First Place–Phoenix well! They’ve been to the farm many times over the past couple of years and always enjoy caring for the gentle beasts. That care includes grooming, leading—and loving—the horses, who are always only too happy with the attention.

There’s always an enthusiastic turnout for a chance to head to First Place–Phoenix community partner Arizona Animal Welfare League for a visit with furry friends awaiting forever homes. Residents also benefit from practicing skills that can transfer well—communication, professionalism and following instructions—to employment opportunities. Plus they get to love on lots of friendly dogs and cats who are always happy to see them!

Resident health & wellness front & center.

Holiday gatherings and cooler weather mean one thing: It’s time to make sure we’re all healthy! The Phoenix Fire Department recently hosted a COVID and flu vaccine clinic for First Place–Phoenix residents while students from Creighton School of Nursing checked vital signs and gave a presentation on the importance of hygiene. It always helps to add some fun, so everyone also played a game of hygiene bingo and participated in an experiment demonstrating the effectiveness of handwashing. Thank you, Phoenix Fire Department and Creighton nursing students—it’s good to have neighbors helping us look after our well-being!

Save the date for the ever-popular annual First Place Holiday Tour of Doors.

We cherish traditions at First Place–Phoenix and one of our favorites is just around the corner—the First Place Holiday Tour of Doors! Join us Friday, Dec. 12, 5 to 7 p.m. as we stroll our festive halls and discover how residents and Transition Academy students have decorated their apartment doors. There’ll be plenty of creativity and cheer—then we’ll top it all off with hot cocoa and s’mores. Register here—and see you there!

Your donation makes more firsts possible!

When you give to First Place AZ, you make many firsts possible for adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). A first home living away from family. A first job working in a neuro-inclusive workplace. A first meal cooked with new friends. As the end of 2025 nears, consider filling the years ahead with powerful firsts for someone with autism and/or I/DD. Because at First Place, one first leads to the next. Learn more about the many ways we help change lives—and give today!