During this two-day, semi-annual symposium, experience the supportive community of Greater Phoenix, dubbed "the most autism-friendly city in the world" by PBS NewsHour.
Pioneering agencies, organizations and families gather to learn about next steps for their communities and neighborhoods. Workshops focus on real estate, operational plans, curriculum and training.
Learn from and share information with members of the First Place AZ team, fellow attendees and various advisors promoting models for public, private, nonprofit and charitable collaboration.
The Security Building via light rail – 234 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Meet and mingle; introduction to “A Place in the World” report and international Leadership Advisory Board; what’s working, what’s not – how we navigate roadblocks and potholes together. Also hear about pioneering projects from fellow leaders as we usher in a new wave of home and community development options.
- Welcome & Symposium Overview – Denise D. Resnik, First Place AZ Founder and President/CEO
- Building the Superhighway - Public, Private, Philanthropic & Nonprofit Collaboration
- Public Policy Advancements in Arizona – Michael Trailor, (Former) Director of Arizona Dept. of Economic Security
- Introductions from Fellow Pioneers – Your turn for us to learn about you and your passionate pursuit(s)!
- What’s Next? – Denise Resnik and Desiree Kameka, Director of Community Education & Advocacy for Madison House Autism Foundation, give a synopsis of the collaborative work underway with fellow pioneers and ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, a research unit of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
First Place–Phoenix – 3001 N. Third St., Phoenix
Tour First Place–Phoenix and experience our supportive community. Meet our residents. Hear from Mike Duffy, Senior Associate/Project Design Architect, and Erin Yi, Associate/Project Interior Designer, both of RSP Architects and George Braddock, Director of Creative Housing Consultants in Eugene, Oregon. Q&A with development team.
29 Palms – 4901 E. Holly St., Phoenix
Experience 29 Palms, an affordable housing property co-locating seniors with adults with autism. Meet Transition Academy graduates and now residents, supportive neighbors and Carolyn Campbell, MPA Director of Housing Foundation for Senior Living Real Estate Services.
SARRC’s Sybil B. Harrington Campus for Exceptional Children – 300 N. 18th St., Phoenix
Timeline breakdown: from nonprofit filing and groundbreaking to start-up and stabilization.
Guest Speaker – For over 20 years, Designer, Principal of Enabling Spaces and Churchill Fellow Shelly Dival has created special spaces and places for clients in her home state of Western Australia. A passionate advocate, Shelly works with government, nonprofits, businesses and families to bring about change for individuals with autism and other neuro-diversities.
This fall’s presenters share a wealth of knowledge and experience.
First Place team and residents present…
- Beyond the Real Estate – Building community within the property and beyond
- Celebrating Diversity – Creating a culture and an operational plan that supports individual needs
- Promoting a New Real Estate Option – Branding, marketing, specialty leasing—and lessons learned
- Structured & Real-Time Learning – Curriculum, training and supports
Choose two from among the following breakout sessions:
- Education, Training & Employment
Marci Muhlestein, First Place Director of the Global Leadership Institute Center for Education, Training & Employment and Managing Director of the Transition Academy and Paige Raetz, Director of Teen and Adult Services for the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) offer a First Place Transition Academy update and address supportive infrastructure and the ecosystem at home, work and in the community.
- Community Cultivation & Creation
Denise Resnik, Founder and President/CEO of First Place AZ, and Michelle McGinty, President of DRA Collective, team up to address identifying allies, cultivating mutually beneficial relationships, developing partnerships and creating a connected community.
- Real Estate Development Panel
Shelly Dival, of Enabling Spaces Western Australia, George Braddock of Creative Housing Solutions in Eugene, Oregon, and Mike Duffy, Senior Associate at RSP Architects combine their insights and experience to lead the discussion and answer your questions about real estate in general and in your specific market.
