First Place® AZ aspires to be an international residential model that supports individuals with autism and other special abilities to live more independently.

Joined April 2015
226 Photos and videos
First Place AZ is proud to announce that Founder & CEO Denise D. Resnik has been named one of eight 2023 Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame inductees! She is also one of this year’s four Living Legacy inductees. More info: buff.ly/3oSu9qt
1
2
14
591
We recently sat down with @Waymo and local leaders from Foundation for Senior Living, @seeitourway, @MADDNational and @myvsuw to discuss topics ranging from community partnerships, identity and inclusion to innovation and transportation. Pull up a seat: buff.ly/3CkD2wd
1
4
185
Happy #NationalBestFriendsDay! Seeing besties around the First Place–Phoenix community always brightens our day. Many residents and Transition Academy students have established meaningful friendships—and we enjoy watching new ones blossoming!
3
164
In her latest blog, First Place AZ Founder & President/CEO Denise D. Resnik shares insights on how Transition Academy class of 2023 graduates are “shining examples of powering through.”   buff.ly/3OWGkgx

1
2
76
HUGE thanks to our friends at Bashas’ for supporting First Place AZ during April’s #AutismAcceptanceMonth! With loyal customers making donations at checkout, Bashas’ raised over $76,000! #FeelGoodFriday
3
133
Catch up on all of the fun things happening at First Place–Phoenix, including deets about the Transition Academy’s Class of 2023 graduation! buff.ly/437fPt7
61
We're proud to share that Founder & President/CEO Denise Resnik is this year’s @phxbizjournal's Nonprofit Summit keynote speaker. The summit is a great opportunity for nonprofit executives to connect with Valley business leaders & participate in enriching, educational workshops.
2
1
3
77
Denise will present “On the Ground & In the Clouds: Visions, Action & New Realities” addressing goals for developing more housing and community options for adults with autism and other neurodiversities. We’re sure Denise will have relevant and memorable insights to share!
1
1
48
The @Goodyearpolice visited First Place–Phoenix this week for an on-site autism training event. They broke into groups with residents to educate them about police vehicles and their gear and practice role-playing exercises for police interactions with neurodiverse individuals.
1
3
128
#TacoTuesday dinner topped of the evening as officers and residents learned more about their shared and respective interests. We’re grateful for our collaboration and look forward to future trainings!
2
89
First Place AZ retweeted
Congratulations to @LGEdesignbuild on your 2023 Goodmans Chair Hockey victory! They faced tough competition all night but @lgedesignbuild was able to clinch the title of Goodmans Chair Hockey Champions. 🏆 #LGEDesignBuild #GoodStuff #GoodmansChairHockey #Champions
1
2
70
First Place AZ retweeted
Thank you to our 2023 Goodmans Chair Hockey Platinum Rink Sponsors @millerknoll, @HermanMiller & @Knoll_Inc. With our sponsors support we were able to have a great event. More importantly we raised funds and awareness for @FirstPlaceAZ. #ThankYou #ChangeTheCommunity
1
3
124
Congratulations to The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI) on the celebration of its newest Innovation & Technology Center (ITC) in Philadelphia’s Center City District. The goal of the center is to provide training & employment opportunities to adults with neurodiversities.
1
62
Congrats Transition Academy Class of 2023! You’ve worked hard to get through your classes & apply what you’ve learned. We’re proud of your growth & progress over the past two years–and excited about where your journeys take you with greater confidence, skill & independence.🎓
2
84
In honor of #AutismAcceptanceMonth, @Goodyearpolice held a special flag presentation ceremony for community partners First Place AZ & @SoundsofAutism. We're honored to work together to help bring understanding & acceptance of autism to the department & greater Goodyear community.
The Goodyear Police Department ended Autism Awareness Month by presenting local organization, @FirstPlaceAZ with a specially designed autism flag. #GoodyearAZ #AutismAcceptanceMonth @GoodyearPolice
1
2
135
Congratulations @caren_zucker and @JohnDonvan! 👏
Congratulations to @caren_zucker, @JohnDonvan, and Ray Conley for their beautifully done, deeply personal documentary on the history of autism, ‘In a Different Key.’ We are proud to recognize your work with the Domestic TV Award. @PBS #RFKBJA
1
51
First Place AZ has teamed up with @Waymo—the world’s first fully autonomous ride-hailing service—in a pilot involving their Phoenix fleet. Thank you to our friends at Waymo & Let’s Talk Autonomous Driving for sharing this groundbreaking story! #AutismAcceptance #FeelGoodFriday
“I think that Waymo and autonomous vehicles and inclusion and independence all connect together” - @FirstPlaceAZ For people like Eli who are neurodiverse, transportation can be a barrier to independence. Hear his perspective on how AVs could transform his life:
1
2
8
6,129
A key part of our partnership is how Waymo’s services help First Place–Phoenix residents and Transition Academy students navigate the community in getting to and from their volunteering and jobs—an essential independent living skill.
3
96