Scully Learning Center Foundation’s Cirque du Chilî event

Scully Learning Center Foundation will host Cirque du Chilî on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 4-8 PM at The Holland Center, which is located at 34250 N. 60th Street in Scottsdale, Ariz. The dedicated Cave Creek, Ariz.,-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization works to enrich the lives of developmentally disabled adults in the desert foothills area.

“Scully Learning Center Foundation is proud to sponsor a community event that brings together service providers and organizations with the purpose of improving the lives of intellectually and physically disabled community members,” says Paula Scully. “Parents, caregivers and guardians will receive information and make connections that will ease the process of making decisions that ensure their loved ones’ lives are safe, secure and enriched.”

Cirque du Chilî is a community event created to raise awareness of critical unmet needs faced by developmentally disabled adults and teenagers within the desert foothills community. This family-oriented event will showcase the community agencies, resources and support available to developmentally disabled adults and teenagers as well as raise funds to meet these needs.
“Cirque du Chilî also will include carnival games and prizes, chili tastings and informational booths with developmental disability community experts,” says Brady Dalton, event chair. “Local chefs, community leaders and citizens will compete for the “Hottest Chef in Desert Foothills” title. In addition, children will have fun enjoying carnival games and prizes while parents browse the booths of various developmental disability service providers and agencies, gaining insight into community services and support.”
“There is an invisible population within the Phoenix housing crisis,” says Maureen Casey of First Place Global Leadership (2023).”Specifically, there are at least 159,000 people in Arizona who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). That’s more than three times the capacity of the Diamondbacks’ stadium. Approximately 77% of those with IDD in Arizona live with their aging families. Of that, about 27% live with a caregiver over the age of 60. This invisible population is going to need housing and support in place as their families’ transition, perhaps due to their own needs for nursing care or death. Without immediate action, the ‘invisible’ housing crisis currently faced by adults with IDD and their families risks becoming a full-blown emergency with widespread, lasting consequences, potentially increasing the number of homeless in Maricopa County.”

A specific critical unmet need to be highlighted is the serious housing shortage faced by intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. A strategic plan to address this shortage, and Preserving Families Home, will be showcased.

Cirque du Chilî will be joined by the following community partners/sponsors: Tonto Bar & Grill, Harold’s Corral, The Horny Toad, Tailgaters/El Primo, Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical, The Saloon, Indian Village, Athens on Easy Street, Area Agency of Aging, Arion Care, Department of Economic Security, Totten Fulton Rizzo, Kathryn Bradley, PC and Absolute HCBS, among others.

Admission is free. Chili tastings are $2 per taste or $20 for unlimited tastings. Beer from local breweries will be available for $5 and wine from local wineries for $10. Donations, which are tax-deductible, will be accepted. All proceeds go to the Preserving Families building fund.

For more information or to enter a chili dish to compete in the “Hottest Chef in the Desert Foothills” contest, visit scullylearningcenter.com or contact Scully Learning Center at info@scullylearningcenter.com.

Scully Learning Center Foundation is an established non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which has provided enrichment activities for developmentally disabled adults since 2010. Located in Cave Creek and serving Carefree, North Scottsdale and surrounding areas, Scully provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to explore the world, find purpose and live meaningful lives.

Scully Learning Center Foundation is located at 37436 N. Rancho Manana Blvd. The organization can be reached at 480.772.0889 or scullylearningcenter.com.