Scully Learning Center (SLC) in Cave Creek is a special place where adults with developmental disabilities from the Cave Creek, Carefree, and north Scottsdale communities can come together for life-enriching activities, led and coordinated by dedicated volunteers like local resident Julie Tierney.

                Ten years ago, Julie decided to observe SLC to see if it was a good fit for volunteering. "Once I learned about the center's mission and met the Participants, families, volunteers, and the founder Paula Scully, I was hooked," said Julie.

                SLC consists of “Participants” who are adults with various developmental disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and intellectual delays. Initially, SLC focused solely on kids and teens. Some of those children have now been with the organization since its inception over 12 years ago. Over that time, Paula Scully saw that there were virtually no opportunities for friendship & independence once disabled students graduated from public schools. So Paula shifted the mission to helping adults access the same opportunities they enjoyed in school.

                Through SLC, these individuals can enjoy events and activities like hiking, gardening, a trip to the zoo, boating on Lake Pleasant, the Musical Instrument Museum, yoga, and ceramics. There's also an event for every holiday like the Halloween trick-or-treat event held indoors at the Center, or the Christmas light show.

                "I see the joy and natural smile of being able to be involved in field trips and activities that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to do," said Julie. "As an example, our bicycles do not have pedals allowing a person that may not be able to work a pedal finally feel the freedom of a little bike ride around the Center’s farm area."

                Julie says one of her greatest joys is seeing the value of respite for the parents. The events ultimately gift parents a much-needed break for themselves.

Some of Julie's most memorable experiences with SLC Participants include being arm-in-arm at the Phoenix Zoo with Gabriel, a blind Participant, talking together about the sights, sounds, and smells of the animals, and seeing a Down Syndrome Participant learning that floating on your back in the pool is fun and relaxing. 

                In a typical month Julie might volunteer three or four days, doing just about everything required to set up and co-host the events. As a retired Registered Dietician, she especially values the time spent in the Center's organic garden where participants learn to cultivate crops with hands-on composting, planting, weeding and harvesting. The resulting crops are shared with Participants and donated to the local food bank. Sometimes, the most routine activities can take on a level of importance too. For example, Julie has helped Participants at a pizza party assemble their own pizza toppings and serve themselves.

                 “I have learned how valuable these individuals are to our community and how they should be accepted in society,” said Julie. "And when I see the Participants, my heart is full. I light up. I feel that I give them value, and I get even more back.”

                Founder Paula Scully said, “I can count on Julie. If there is a need, she is there. She bonds with all of our Participants. She is compassionate, dedicated, and recognizes needs and obstacles to be handled. She is the perfect volunteer."

           

SCULLY LEARNING CENTER is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been providing enrichment activities to developmentally disabled adults since 2010 in the Cave Creek, Carefree, north Scottsdale, and surrounding areas. Their mission is to provide lifelong nurturing and an inclusive Residential housing environment for developmentally disabled adults and their families. To find out how you can support Scully Learning Center, please visit www. scullylearningcenter.com or call (480) 595-0508.