Phoenix rising: Local nonprofit organization honored with national achievement award

Rising above, going beyond.

That’s the motto for Phoenix, a Huntsville-based organization that provides assistance programs for people with disabilities in the workforce.

And for its work in rising above and going beyond, Phoenix has been recognized as a 2026 SourceAmerica Achievement Award winner.

“We are most definitely honored to be recognized,” said President and CEO Amy Patterson. “It’s really special. I extend a huge thank you to SourceAmerica and AbilityOne Program.”

These awards honor outstanding employees, nonprofit agencies and business partners nationwide, who are creating lasting change in disability employment. This year’s awards were presented Wednesday at SourceAmerica’s annual Xforce Conference in Grapevine, Texas.

“This year’s honorees underscore how valuable meaningful employment opportunities can be for workers with disabilities, and the significant impact these workers have on our nation’s economy,” said Richard Belden, SourceAmerica president and CEO. “Their success demonstrates how the AbilityOne Program continues to strengthen communities, promote economic growth, support the nation’s military readiness, and deliver exceptional results for government and commercial customers across the country.”

SourceAmerica is a national nonprofit that helps administer the AbilityOne Program – a program that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through federal product and service contracts.

Phoenix received the Government Contracts Award for excellence in AbilityOne contract performance.

 With 82% of its workforce composed of people with significant disabilities, Phoenix achieved outstanding contract performance supporting federal customers through manufacturing and critical services.

“We have two main divisions – services and manufacturing,” Patterson said. “We work with the Forestry Department, Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency and others.

“We manufacture interment burial flags, smoke curtains and fire blankets, single-point release harnesses, and aircraft safety belts. Our services – mainly on Redstone Arsenal and the Marshall Space Flight Center – include janitorial services, mail room operations, grounds maintenance, badge checking and security, administrative support and supply room operations.”

Phoenix’s success is a reminder of the significant impact that people with disabilities can have on business outcomes when given the right support.

In 1973, Phoenix Vocational Services was created to provide specialized vocational rehabilitation and help adults with disabilities become better prepared for employment opportunities. To assist these individuals in work-readiness preparation, Phoenix sought contracts with local businesses to provide real job opportunities for those individuals in a training status.

Over the next decade, Abilities Development Center and the Huntsville Rehabilitation Center combined to form Phoenix Manufacturing. Eventually, the organization added vocational services and government services under the name Phoenix and, in 1986, built a 50,000 square-foot facility at 2939 Johnson Road.

In her 18 years with Phoenix, Patterson said she has seen growth rise beyond Johnson Road.

“Some of the changes have been in growth with the organization and its programs,” she said. “We have expanded services to other states – Colorado, Texas, Virginia, Alaska, New Mexico and California.

“It’s neat to be able to expand our services.”

The SourceAmerica Achievement Awards honor the outstanding achievements of employees with disabilities, nonprofit agencies, business partners and military customers whose dedication and leadership advance disability employment throughout the nation.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify how disability employment drives innovation, strengthens the economy, and enhances the nation’s workforce readiness.

At a time when more than 70 million U.S. adults report having a disability, and when the unemployment rate for working age individuals with disabilities remains more than double that of those without, this year’s winners serve as powerful examples of how creating access to meaningful work benefits employees, businesses and communities.

The SourceAmerica Achievement Awards continue to highlight success and innovation across the disability employment ecosystem, honoring individuals who overcome barriers, nonprofits that deliver mission-driven excellence, and business partners who help advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Through these awards, SourceAmerica continues to showcase how ongoing advancement in disability employment strengthens America’s workforce and economy.

And, in the case of Phoenix, helping the workforce and economy rise above and go beyond.