America is Made Here
2025 Year in Review
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CEO Letter Value for America Advocacy Partnership Career Advancement Veterans Independence Support Stats by State
CEO Letter
To our partners and colleagues,
Fiscal Year 2025 put a spotlight on the talented employees with disabilities across SourceAmerica's national network of nonprofit agencies. As they drove growth by delivering mission‑critical, Made in America products and services, our America is Made Here initiative reinforced the value of domestic manufacturing and U.S.-based service solutions.
Our advocacy efforts brought that story to Capitol Hill. At our Grassroots Advocacy Conference, employees with disabilities and agency leaders met with over 200 policymakers or staff to share firsthand how jobs change lives and strengthen communities. We focused on practical steps to expand access to competitive, high‑quality jobs for people with disabilities.
We advanced partnerships with federal agencies, contracting officers, commercial brands, and our nationwide AbilityOne® federal contractor networks. Together, we streamlined procurement and delivered U.S.-based manufacturing and service solutions at scale. These partnerships connected customers to capabilities ranging from apparel manufacturing and product packaging to contact centers and IT services, all anchored in U.S. supply chains.
We deepened our commitment to advancing careers for people with disabilities and building pathways for upward and outward mobility. With technical assistance, training, and data‑informed practices, our network helped employees gain credentials, move into higher‑skill roles, and chart long‑term careers.
Our focus on veterans remained steadfast. Our network and the AbilityOne Program provided opportunities for veterans with disabilities to continue to serve. Thousands of veterans worked on contracts to support the Department of War and other agencies, contributing to military readiness.
We reaffirmed support for AbilityOne employees and the network. By investing in tools, training, and modernization, we helped network providers strengthen workplaces and create more competitive opportunities – because when providers thrive, employees thrive.
With this Year in Review, we invite continued conversation. Together, we can strengthen our collaboration, advance AbilityOne, and expand access to jobs for people with disabilities. More opportunity benefits everyone – and America is Made Here when we build those opportunities with our partners across government, industry, and our network.
Sincerely,
Richard Belden
President & CEO, SourceAmerica
Value for America
50+ Years Government Contracting Experience
3.8% Increase to $19.68 Average Hourly Wage Paid to AbilityOne Employees in SourceAmerica's Network
37,400+ AbilityOne Employees in SourceAmerica's Network
$822 Million Wages Paid to People with Disabilities
SourceAmerica® is a trusted partner for federal agencies, which rely on our network for a wide variety of Made in America products and essential services. We have more than 50 years of government contracting experience and help federal agencies successfully navigate the AbilityOne® Program. AbilityOne federal contractors in our network are required to meet the same quality standards and delivery schedules as any other contractor.
Approximately 37,400 people with disabilities, including more than 2,700 veterans with disabilities, are employed on AbilityOne contracts through SourceAmerica's network. These hardworking and talented individuals contribute to America’s economy and support military readiness in a variety of ways. They provide critical services to men and women in uniform, including administrative, IT, fleet vehicle maintenance, and more. They also manufacture the uniforms and equipment that enable military members to carry out their mission.
Nearly 150 U.S. Military Bases Supported by AbilityOne Contracts
AbilityOne federal contractors manufacture military uniforms, extreme cold weather clothing systems, fire-retardant personal protective gear, medical kits and supplies, food products, American flags, and more for military personnel.
SourceAmerica strongly supports domestic manufacturing initiatives. In fact, as of July 2025, 87% of Procurement List items produced by SourceAmerica's network are wholly Made in America and 95% of SourceAmerica network products are either Made in America or Trade Agreements Act compliant. We publicly advocate for stricter Berry Amendment and Made in America rules for Department of War purchasing and will continue to partner with the federal government to strengthen the American manufacturing base.
87% of Procurement List Items Produced by SourceAmerica's Network Are Wholly Made in America*
95% (est.) of SourceAmerica Network Products Are Made in America or Trade Agreements Act Compliant*
* Preliminary data as of July 2025
There are approximately 500 nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica network. Collectively, these agencies employ more than 59,400 people with disabilities, including more than 37,400 who work on AbilityOne contracts. These jobs promote financial and social independence, and employees are often able to provide for themselves as well as their families.
59,400+ Employees With Disabilities in the SourceAmerica Network
Nearly 500 Nonprofit Agencies in the SourceAmerica Network
50 States, Guam, and Puerto Rico Locations With an AbilityOne Presence
Nearly 63% of working-age people with disabilities in the U.S. do not have jobs. Employment through SourceAmerica's network and the AbilityOne Program gives adults with disabilities the chance to support their families, build connections with workplace colleagues, and have the satisfaction of contributing to their communities.
It also generates federal tax revenue and reduces the burden on government assistance programs.
The average return on investment is $2.66 for every $1 spent to administer the AbilityOne Program. The return on investment can be as high as $4.40 for every dollar spent.**
Nearly 63% Working-Age People With Disabilities in the U.S. Without Jobs*
$200 Million Estimated Annual Federal Tax Revenue Paid by AbilityOne Employees With Disabilities**
$191 Million Estimated Annual Savings on Federal Benefit Programs by Contracting Through AbilityOne**
$2.66 Average Return on Investment for Every $1 Spent to Administer the AbilityOne Program**
The return on investment could be as high as $4.40 for every dollar spent.**
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024. Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics. February 25, 2025.
** Farid, Monica, and Purvi Sevak, 2023. Socioeconomic Impact Analysis Evaluation Report. SourceAmerica. June 15, 2023.
Advocacy
60+ Self-Advocates at the 2025 Grassroots Advocacy Conference
200+ Meetings With Policymakers or Staff During the Conference
Nearly 30 Grassroots at Home Visits
10+ AbilityOne Congressional Champions Recruited
SourceAmerica amplifies the voices of employees with disabilities and works to achieve policy outcomes that create job opportunities for those we serve. One of the ways we do this is by hosting a Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., where AbilityOne employees have the opportunity to advocate for themselves and others. These advocates use the experience they gain during the conference to continue outreach in their own communities. Grassroots at Home builds on the momentum of the D.C. conference. Working with SourceAmerica staff, nonprofit agencies arrange meetings, site visits, and other activities with Members of Congress during district work periods.
Robin Emanuel, a sewing machine operator with Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries (SEKRI), uses her voice to engage on issues that impact employees with disabilities and teaches her peers how to advocate for themselves. As a member of SEKRI’s Self-Advocacy team, she shares her employment journey with policymakers, local community organizations, and others. In doing so, she delivers a powerful message on the importance of giving people with disabilities a chance. Her passion is people, and she encourages and empowers those around her each and every day. In 2025, Emanuel received SourceAmerica's Tom Miller Advocacy Award.
Irving Middleton's life changed at age 16 when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Complications led to kidney failure and eventual transplant, vision loss, and a leg amputation below the knee. After connecting with Palmetto Goodwill Services and securing a job as a custodian at the Naval Information Warfare Center on an AbilityOne contract, Middleton persevered and began to share his experiences. In 2024, he spoke at SourceAmerica's Grassroots Advocacy Conference and met with South Carolina Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham as well as others. In May 2025, Palmetto Goodwill presented Middleton with its Achiever of the Year Award.
Throughout 2025, the SourceAmerica Government Affairs team worked closely with the Administration and policymakers from both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C. to help shape policy that supports the AbilityOne Program and creates jobs for people with disabilities. Six Republicans and seven Democrats joined the list of more than 140 Members of Congress who have been recognized as AbilityOne Congressional Champions. The four-step champion process includes touring an AbilityOne worksite, which is a great way for Members to see firsthand the impact of the Program in their state and community.
Partnership
5.5% Increase in Hours Worked by People With Disabilities Within AbilityOne
4.1% Increase in People With Disabilities Employed on AbilityOne Contracts
300+ AbilityOne Federal Contractors
150+ Affiliated Nonprofit Agencies
Federal agencies look to SourceAmerica and our network as a trusted partner for a wide variety of Made in America products and essential services. We help federal agencies successfully navigate the AbilityOne Program, and our network provides highly customized procurement solutions – ensuring that customers get the contract-specific deliverables they need and the tailor-made approaches they want, all while meeting the same quality standards and delivery schedules as any other contractor.
Mail has always been a critical tie to loved ones for our nation's men and women in uniform, and mail operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are no exception. The Postal Service Center on base is staffed by employees with disabilities from Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, and they work closely with base staff to ensure operational efficiency. The success of this more than 25-year partnership is due to the mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence of all involved. In 2025, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base received SourceAmerica’s Military Customer Award.
Mail has always been a critical tie to loved ones for our nation's men and women in uniform, and mail operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are no exception. The Postal Service Center on base is staffed by employees with disabilities from Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, and they work closely with base staff to ensure operational efficiency. The success of this more than 25-year partnership is due to the mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence of all involved. In 2025, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base received SourceAmerica's Military Customer Award.
Cherokee Federal, a tribally-owned team of government contracting professionals, received SourceAmerica’s Business Partnership Award in 2025 for its positive impact on increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Cherokee Federal has collaborated with Global Connections to Employment (GCE) on several key initiatives and has helped raise awareness of the AbilityOne Program among federal customers. This partnership has had numerous positive outcomes, including the development of tailored recruitment, training, and support systems that helped expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities and ensure long-term employee success.
Nearly 900 full-time positions, including over 600 filled by people with disabilities, subcontract to commercial prime food service contractors at more than 30 military installations in over 20 states
80+ Active Federal Supply Schedule and Commercial Operations Contracts
What started as a single contract for The Corporate Source has grown into operations spanning 70 locations in New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Corporate Source’s 20-year contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection began with basic maintenance and has expanded to include managing everything from correspondence to K-9 facilities and complex warehousing operations. The custodial team at a high-security government facility in San Juan, which employs a number of individuals with disabilities, continues to earn recognition from federal inspectors as a model for facility maintenance. The Corporate Source received SourceAmerica's 2025 Quality Excellence Award.
Career Advancement
4,000+ Total Placements Throughout SourceAmerica Network and AbilityOne
2,600+ Total Promotions Across SourceAmerica Network
2,100+ AbilityOne Promotions
SourceAmerica and its network are committed to providing job choices and career opportunities for people with disabilities. One of the ways we do this is by offering virtual and instructor-led trainings year-round through the SourceAmerica Training Academy. These trainings help participants develop professional and leadership skills, and in some cases, provide opportunities to earn certifications. Additionally, our network offers a variety of workplace supports to help employees succeed in their current jobs and pursue pathways to promotions and career growth.
Shawn Jones leads his employees with courage, passion, and optimism. Jones, who has physical disabilities from a childhood dog attack, began his career at Pacific Coast Community Services (PCCS) as a mail clerk. When describing the interactions that led him to this job, he called it a lightning bolt he could feel every time he walked through the doors at PCCS. "It was my mailroom," he said. "I wanted to be here." Jones quickly advanced to mailroom supervisor and now manages eighteen employees across the state of California. He is the winner of SourceAmerica's 2025 Evelyne Villines Award.
David Cahill is known for his strong work ethic and creativity. He is a lead janitor with Employment Horizons and works on an AbilityOne contract at Picatinny Arsenal. When training his team members, he tailors his approach to meet their individual needs and fosters a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and welcome. He applies that same creative approach to work processes and procedures, devising innovative improvements that boost efficiency and job satisfaction. Cahill received SourceAmerica's 2025 William M. Usdane Award.