Arizona’s Best Non Profit Organizations for Adults with Disability

Cortney's Place Mission

Cortney's Place is a family-founded non-profit, providing an inclusive, stimulating, and meaningful community-based day program for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Our History

In 1985, Jim and Cindy Carpenter welcomed their firstborn child, Cortney. Born with multiple complications, she endured numerous life-threatening operations in the first weeks of her life. Despite being diagnosed with congenital nervous system malformations, leaving her non-verbal, non-ambulatory, and unable to care for herself, Cortney grew and faced each challenge with strength, dignity, and determination. When Cortney turned 22 and was ready to move on from the school-based program she had attended, the Carpenters began their search for a safe, nurturing, and engaging day program for Cortney. They were disappointed to discover that most day programs were underfunded, uninviting, and only able to offer limited activities.

As a result, in 2007, the Carpenters founded Cortney’s Place– a safe, engaging, and innovative environment for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who have graduated from the public-school system. By offering a center-based day program, Cortney’s Place provides the re-enforcement necessary to ensure that each individual maximizes their potential.

Today, Cortney’s Place is a specialized day program for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Cortney’s Place curriculum components include Music Therapy, Healthy Cooking, Hydrotherapy, Pet Therapy, Health and Wellness Programs, Art Classes, and Technology Classes. We strive to ensure that the individuals participating are stimulated cognitively, physically and socially to meet their personal goals, to work toward becoming more self-sufficient, and to elevate their overall personal potential.