First Place–Phoenix - Phoenix, Arizona

Gayle Starr

I recently had a tour of First Place in Phoenix AZ. This is a housing development for Autistic Adults! I was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY by how INCREDIBLE this place is!!! Not only does this facility provide housing for Autistic Adults but it has created a Safe Place where they can participate in a community, learn job skills and find a job, be productive, be social, have friends...All the aspects of life that we all want for ourselves. The apartments are Beautifully designed, wonderful artwork in the common spaces to inspire, wonderful community social events, classes, spaces to create in all sorts of ways (Art, Technology as examples)! Lots of volunteer opportunities for members of the community as well!
We are SO LUCKY to have this in the Phoenix, AZ Community! Denise Resnik, the Creator and "Mover and Shaker" has once again given us another Jewel In Our Community!

Jennifer Settles

My son has lived at First Place for three years, and the experience has been completely life-changing. While living at First Place, he gained confidence, vocational skills, numerous friendships, independence, responsibility, cooking skills, budgeting skills and so much more. The environment is safe, supportive, and fun. Highly recommended!

Judy Felicetti

My son, Marc, has been at First Place since March of 2023. I was a little leery at first and wondered how he would be in his own apartment, but he amazed me. He felt comfortable right away; first of all because he had his own incredible apartment and no one to "bug" him. Then, of course, he was so happy to meet his support people, who have been wonderful with him. It took a little while, but he adapted to getting into groups and going places with them. He especially enjoyed the camping trip to Williams in October. He had never done this before, but I was amazed at how much he did and enjoyed.
Each time I come to visit him, I am amazed at how he has decorated his apartment, especially with pictures from home of his Dad, Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle, all of them deceased, plus the artwork he has done in the activities. He keeps the apartment in great shape too; gives him a sense of pride.
All in all, it has been a positive experience for him which, I hope, he will carry on in the future.
I am very grateful for First Place!! Thank you all!!!

Jenn Ragsdale

Both of my sons with Autism have lived at First Place. The staff is very professional and caring. My sons loved all the activities, especially the group exercise and cooking classes. Also, the vocational training is top notch! I wish they could live at First Place forever.

Johnny Harrod

I got friends who currently live at first place and have gone to visit and hangout many times. However, the concierge at the front has to sign you in and know which resident you are with. If I only tell them that I’m only in the lobby waiting for someone and we are going somewhere, they don’t usually worry about signing you in.
On Thursday (3/28), my brother and I were getting our friends to go to a Dbacks game and the concierge on duty at the time, Lupe, said she had to sign us in regardless of us only waiting in the lobby or not and just let it slide.
However that Friday, (3/29), we dropped by again and we did not plan on hanging out and just head to another Dbacks game. Once my brother and I stepped foot in the lobby, Lupe was on duty again asked for our names and who we were visiting with. I asked her if it is necessary to have us signed it and told her we were only gonna wait in the lobby for our friends. However, she gave me attitude and stated, “if you come inside the building, I must sign you guys in, whether you go up to the apartments for not”. I then told her, “I would be happy to wait outside in the parking lot then for our friends”. She gave me more attitude and said, “you do that then!”
I understand that places have their own policies for visitors and other people coming to sites, but in my opinion, I find this unnecessary and goes too far. If anyone is only going to first place to pick someone up and decide to wait in the lobby, avoid having Lupe sign you in. Other than that, the other concierges just let you in easily!

Wendy Miller-Schneider

Our 24yo daughter has been living at First Place for 1 year now. This incredible community has been the best experience we could ever have imagined! The staff at FP are very special people. They are kind, compassionate, patient and really care about the residents. Our daughter has a wonderful team that is motivating her to learn independent living skills, safety, socialization, nutrition, exercise and all the skills necessary for healthy independent living. The staff are on our daughter's side and really show their motivation to improve upon her challenges and celebrate her strengths. Our daughter states that she feels safe, loved and respected at FP. She is so happy with the new friends she has made and enjoys many of the activities offered. She feels that her relationship has improved with us since she has moved into the FP apartment building. This is a big deal! We are now present to support and love her instead of the daily arguments that would occur frequently at home.
We highly recommend First Place. Thank you to Denise, Nancy, Jessica, Natasha, Lexie, Rebecca, Josh and all the other staff members that are making a difference in our daughter's life.

mamie warrick

One of the few places that provides 3 services: housing for those on autistic spectrum, transition program to smooth the move into adulthood, and training to help family. I recently completed “360 Health” course offered through Global Leadership Institute. Course breaks down into steps the skills my adult son needs to manage his own health care - how to make doctor appointments, when to use urgent care vs. emergency room, basics on insurance. Content is pragmatic and easy to use. Instructors, Maureen Casey and Brad Herron-Valenzuela, keep on-line course interactive and engaging. Highly recommend!

Brent Jackson

I was a student in the First Place Transition Academy from 2018-2020. Moving across the country from Columbus, Ohio to take part in the program was my biggest transition. I had never been around other individuals with Autism until I moved to Phoenix. I made sure to put 110% in to everything I did here.

My hardest trait was asking for help. Growing up, I highly disliked asking anyone for help. But I knew that if I didn't ask for help, then I wouldn't grow. Asking for help even when I didn't think I needed it helped push me further than my peers. Yes, living with roommates on different levels of the Autism spectrum was an adjustment, but that's part of the whole program. My group was the first to live at First Place-Phoenix.

After graduating from the First Place Transition Academy in June 2020, in the midst of COVID-19, I became a resident of First Place and lived by myself for two more years. In June of this year, 2022, I moved out and am living more independently than I ever have before.

If you don't put the effort in to grow, change, and become a better person for yourself; and take the advice from staff at First Place, then this is not the right place for you. Personally, I feel that before becoming a resident of First Place, you should go through the Transition Academy first. But, that's just my opinion. Overall, First Place Phoenix is the next and best place for adults with Autism and other neurodiversity's.