AZFoothills.com LLC

First Place® AZ is holding an opening ceremony at its new $15.4 million, 81,000-square-foot, 55-apartment First Place–Phoenix property, designed to promote and celebrate neuro-diversities as it ushers in a new era of housing and community options for adults with autism and other special abilities.

“We are today with housing for special populations where senior housing was 50 years ago,” says Denise D. Resnik, First Place AZ founder, president and CEO. “We have a burgeoning population in need of homes and services that must transcend outdated and limited models. A dynamic, new generation of housing is only possible by collectively tapping private, public, philanthropic and nonprofit interests. That’s what we’re delivering at First Place.”

First Place–Phoenix, a nonprofit combining apartments, a residential training program and a global leadership institute, opened to residents in early July. The property was inspired by 10 design goals to improve the living environment for individuals with autism and other neuro-diversities as outlined in the 2009 “Opening Doors” report developed by Urban Land Institute Arizona, Arizona State University and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC).

Leaders scheduled to speak include:

• Arizona Department of Economic Security Director Mike Trailor
• Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Chucri
• City of Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams
• Goodmans Interior Structures President and CEO Adam Goodman
• First Place–Phoenix Resident
• First Place AZ Founder and SARRC Co-Founder Denise D. Resnik

WHAT: First Place–Phoenix’s Official Opening Ceremony

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Friday, September 21

WHERE: First Place–Phoenix, 3001 N. Third St., Phoenix, AZ (Third St. and Catalina Ave.)

DETAILS: Self-guided tours, light refreshments, leasing information

RSVP: https://firstplacephxopeningceremony.splashthat.com/