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Center, director of 30 years celebrate dual anniversaries

Dave Cutty would just as soon stay out of the limelight and make sure all the hoopla goes where it can do the most good: to the center with which he has been inexorably linked for almost three decades.

But, as timing would have it, both Kyrene Corridor resident Cutty and TCH, formerly Tempe Center for the Handicapped, celebrate dual anniversaries this year.

TCH kicks off a year-long observance of its 35^th anniversary Thursday, April 25. At the same time, Cutty marks his 30^th year with the organization.

Cutty, characteristically, turns attention to the center.

“We take pride in our continuing emphasis on finding new and relevant ways to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities while promoting their independence and self-determination” says Cutty.

“Our staff work to encourage consumers to make their own choices, gain confidence and control over their own lives, improve their abilities and overcome barriers to quality living.”

“I walk out of here every day feeling like we have made life better for somebody with a disability,” Cutty says.

“When you put someone in their 30s in their first job and see the smile on their face when they get that first paycheck, it’s a great feeling.”

The celebration, held in Grandpa Charlie’s Garden adjacent to TCH, will honor and recognize community leaders who have consistently supported the center’s efforts.

TCH was founded in 1967 by parents of children with special needs.

Today, it provides programs that support, care for and empower children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Services improve the quality of life, alleviate barriers to independence and help Arizonans of all ages reach full potential, according to Cutty.

As to the center’s future, Cutty sees challenges of considerable magnitude.

“Our mission is expanding to include a more diverse constituency with a broader range of disabilities including behavioral/mental health issues. The service population is aging, so more emphases has been placed on geriatric supports/retirement programming.”

However, Cutty says, he is concerned about the future in the care-giving profession with the aging population and the declining number of people willing help them.

“It won’t matter if someone has the money to pay for care when there’s no one to give it,” he says.

“In another decade, we will be in a very critical shortage of entry-level providers. If something doesn’t change, we will be in deep trouble.”

Cutty holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in educational psychology and special education from Arizona State University.

He has been president and chief executive officer of TCH for almost 18 years and has been employed by the agency since 1972.

In addition to serving as the past president of the Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities, he is also chair of the Employment Committee and vice chair of the Policy and Legislative Committee of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Information: Melia Dunn, development coordinator, (480) 838-8111, ext. 142.

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