By Denise D. Resnik, Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ/First Place Global; Co-Founder, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center; and Matt’s Mom We had packed it all: extra meds and…
By Denise D. Resnik, Matt’s mom; To students at GateWay Community College, who have welcomed differently abled adults on campus through the First Place Transition Academy, allowing our First Place…
By Sydnee Schwartz, Contributing Writer Students at the First Place Transition Academy have been learning a lot since they moved in. They are finding the importance in knowing how to…
By Denise Resnik, Matt’s mom; originally posted on Different Brains When our son Matt graduated from high school in 2013, his daily routines and patterns, developed for years within the…
One of our focus areas this summer is cultural experiences in the community. Students recently visited the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and immersed themselves in the musical traditions of countries…
The students participating in the Transition Academy are about to embark on a new and exciting post-secondary experience as they will enroll at GateWay Community College. This has been in…
Guest storyteller: Melanie Isaacs, Director of PAL Experiences, Inc. Last Wednesday, I had the coolest day. My sister was helping me catch up on inspiring quotes and passed this gem…
For nearly 40 years, I’ve been committed to helping individuals with varying challenges and disabilities live more independently. My interest started as a teenager when my rock band played a…
PHOENIX (April 28, 2015) – Adults with autism have moved into the beta site for the First Place Transition Academy, one of three components of the future First Place mixed-use…
By Valerie Paradiz, PhD, First Place Curriculum Specialist As a person on the spectrum and as a parent of a 24-year-old son with autism, I like to take time during…
Here’s a recent article about First Place and Catholic Charities that appeared in Elevate AZ, a magazine produced by our friends at National Bank of Arizona. A few student openings…
Dr. Paul Shattuck discusses the many children who will soon be entering adulthood and the gift of $3.6MM Drexel University has received for program research. Dr. Shattuck is Director of…
Our mission to enhance quality of life that leads to more independent living options stretches far beyond the heart of Greater Phoenix, home to our first First Place property. What…
Matt Sedwick and his mom, Shelley Donald, are working hard to prepare for Matt’s independence, life at First Place and beyond. Check out this story and beautiful collection of images…
The early years before and after an autism diagnosis are busy. Many kids nowadays – our son Hayes included – are diagnosed before age 3. Before you hear the life-changing…
Lauren spoke at SARRC’s 15th Annual Community Breakfast in 2013 and the 1,800 people in attendance responded with a standing ovation. She’s a remarkable and courageous young woman. I am…
The components of First Place fit together like puzzle pieces, forming a clear vision of a bright future, and the path to get there. Live. Learn. Lead. When you drill…
At first glance, First Place is like any other building—it has a blueprint and the basic building blocks that make up a structure, with rooms and places for activities. Sitting…
Open. Four letters and a simple meaning. Open embraces and invites. It conjures opportunity and newness. And for many who may have feared closed doors, the fact that new ones…
Check out this four-minute film about First Place, which reports on our big vision and exciting progress.
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Every place that holds a special spot in our hearts has a story. For me, the story of First Place begins with Matt Resnik. I was a green and eager…
