Annual Report

Phoenix Ribbon Cutting

Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

I want to begin by offering my sincerest thanks to all of our Phoenix family, including employees, persons served, board members, customers, vendors, and partner agencies. We could not have done it without you!

Even though 2021 quickly became another challenging year, Phoenix remained stable in a very unstable environment. By implementing sound response strategies and staying faithful to the mission, 2021 concluded with many positive achievements.

The Annual Report is a snapshot of the 2021 Phoenix year, covering accomplishments as well as challenges. It reflects efficiency and effectiveness measures which help affirm that Phoenix efforts fully focus on mission while assuring organizational and programmatic longevity. This focus ensures that Phoenix outcomes positively impact our community, especially people with disabilities.

Like the year prior, 2021 continued to be a time of Covid but now with a new weapon, a vaccine. Covid countermeasures continued with Phoenix closely adhering to official medical and governmental guidance. New to 2021 was drastic labor shortages making contract fulfillment difficult in several areas. But on the whole, Phoenix continued deliveries on products and services.

As in 2020, the role of advocacy continued to be evident in Phoenix outreach. It was and is essential that elected officials and other stakeholders hear the Phoenix story and understand how simple changes on the national level can have lethal implications for our programs at the grassroots level. This year potential changes in Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), the new definition of Competitive Employment, and the termination of 14C legislation were all important issues impacting people with disabilities.

Phoenix also continued to celebrate diversity with a complete endorsement of equity and inclusion. Numerous Phoenix diversity initiatives were undertaken in 2021 with some very positive results. Phoenix stands firm in its commitment to justice and equal treatment!

Phoenix is a service organization first, offering various rehabilitation programs through a business and work model. By partnering with SourceAmerica, the AbilityOne Program, the Redstone Arsenal Garrison and its tenants, various commercial enterprises, and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Phoenix continued to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation process, always pursuing long-term stable employment with good pay and benefits. Phoenix does all of these things and more to either directly or indirectly help people improve the quality of their life, in most cases through employment. And finally, Phoenix provided grants totaling over $150,000 to other non-profits serving people with disabilities. A longtime partner, the United Way of Madison County, received a large portion of these funds.

And partnership continues to define the way Phoenix does business. The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) partnership spans 48 years, currently allowing Phoenix to reach twelve North Alabama counties serving hundreds of individuals with disabilities.

Another premier partner, SourceAmerica and the AbilityOne Commission, have been essential in securing contracts to provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. SourceAmerica has facilitated opportunities in multiple states but none more evident than here in Huntsville/Madison County on Redstone Arsenal. And that brings me to yet another essential partner, the Redstone Arsenal Garrison and its tenants, including the US Army, MDA, NASA, FBI, and ATF. For 2021, over 500 individuals with disabilities were provided quality employment due to the Redstone Arsenal Source America Partnership.

Phoenix also operates a manufacturing facility partnering again with SourceAmerica to provide numerous products to the US Government, including parachute harnesses, interment flags, backpacks, strapping, fire containment blankets, and many other canvas goods. These products represent customers such as the US Army, Air Force, and Navy, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the US Forestry Commission. As with other Phoenix contracts, a minimum of 75% of direct employees are people with disabilities.

And finally, I want to recognize and affirm our most important partner, the community of people with disabilities that we serve or will serve. With an unemployment rate greater than any other working demographic, people with disabilities will continue to be the focus of all that Phoenix does. This focus affirms our mission and vision of a community free of barriers. Our values continue to be people, accountability, customers, ethics, and safety. And finally, Phoenix will continue to advocate that all people experience inclusion and access to quality employment.

You may come to Phoenix seeking employment, seeking help finding a different job, or maybe to gain skills for a future opportunity. You may be the individual seeking assistance, a family member, or simply a person interested in what we do. You are all welcome! The Board of Directors, staff, and employees of Phoenix want to make sure that you have a great experience no matter the reasons bringing you.

 

Sincerely,

David Perez

President/CEO