Scottsdale Cirque du Chilî Benefits Developmentally Disabled Adults
The Scully Learning Center Foundation will host the first Cirque du Chilî on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4-8 p.m. at The Holland Center, which is located at 34250 N. 60th St. 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.
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.
According to Brady Dalton, event chair, Cirque du Chilî will feature 13 carnival games and prizes, chili tastings and informational booths with developmental disability community experts. Local chefs, community leaders and citizens will compete for the “Hottest Chef in Desert Foothills” title.
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.
“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). Approximately 77 percent of those with IDD in Arizona live with their aging families. Of that, about 27 percent 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.
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.
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