Reviewed by: Lisa Battles
8 holiday gifts that make a difference with every purchase (+ how to shop on Dec. 12)
Reading time: 4 minutes
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We love sharing local gift guides, and today we’ve found a special way to support local and with purpose this holiday season.
You may have spotted them at Greene Street market slinging specialty goods like their handmade fudge + art. We’re talking about Patterson Place, a local nonprofit where adults with special needs (“citizens”) discover meaningful work, creativity + collaboration in a space full of love, purpose + acceptance.
These citizens learn vocational skills through crafting artisan goods sold at markets around town, funding the program. It’s a meaningful cycle that gives back to the community, local special needs citizens and their families.
Check out what you can shop at their Open House on Dec. 12, and learn more about the program! 👇
8 Artisan gifts made with care in Huntsville
Take a look at some of the work by the Patterson Place community! (Hville Blast)
We toured the Patterson Place community recently to watch them make their products from start to finish.
Check out all the top-notch goodies you can shop from Patterson Place:
- Fresh fudge (chocolate, caramel + more)
- Granola
- Dog biscuits
- Shower steamers
- Candles
- Wooden decorative art
- Fire stone glass art
- Greeting cards
Find these goods on Friday, Dec. 12 @ Patterson Place’s Open House
Want to get a behind-the-scenes look like we did and shop one-of-a-kind gifts? Don’t miss Patterson Place’s Open House this week!
- 📍 Patterson Place Community | 4217 9th Ave Suite 25, Huntsville, AL, United States, Alabama 35805
- Park in the back + enter by the ramp under the corner awning
- ⏰ Friday, December 12, 10AM-6PM
- 👉 Shop holiday gifts, meet the citizens + tour the place (FREE entry)
- 👀 Watch a behind-the-scenes demo:
- 10-12AM: fudge
- 12-2PM: dog treats
- 2-4PM: granola
- 4-6PM: candles + shower steamers
Can’t make it the event? You can always find their goods in their booth at University Pickers or support their mission by donating online!
Meet the joyful makers
Swipe to see the citizens of Patterson Place in action! (Hville Blast)
We chatted with several citizens as they prepped for the Open House. The space was filled with so much joy, energy and creativity as some citizens hand-cut chocolate fudge and packed granola, while others made gold foil oyster ornaments with festive images.
My favorite moments included joining the greeting card station, as one citizen exclaimed, “These are so slay!” followed by lots of giggles. One citizen shared fudge is her favorite to make, particularly chocolate.
One of the 22 individuals enrolled in the Patterson Place program is Trent. Here is what his mom had to say about the impact of the program:
“Trent joined Patterson Place’s program in May. He works on job training to create dog treats, bath bombs, fudge and more.
He’s doing things without hand-over-hand assistance. He is absolutely smiling every day when he goes to school and work. It makes my heart burst. ❤️”
Diana King, mom + Flagship Program Director for Leadership Greater Huntsville
Support Patterson Place all year round
In just two years, Patterson Place has redefined what life after school looks like for adults with disabilities + their families. Beyond that, they also empower parents with support, resources + events that make life a little easier.
Their learning space includes classrooms, art stations, kitchen, playground + more. Experienced staff foster growth and learning four days a week with a 1:6 ratio of staff to citizens.
Patterson Place Founder Emma Clark started the nonprofit in honor of her brother with special needs, Robbie.
“Patterson Place is a little slice of Heaven on Earth. It’s a place where people like my brother Robbie can be exactly who they were created to be.
So often, individuals with special needs spend their whole lives trying to fit into a world that wasn’t built for them. At Patterson Place, we’re doing the opposite—we’re building a world for them. A community where they are fully accepted, deeply loved and encouraged to grow, build skills and live with purpose—just as they are.”
Emma Clark, Founder and Executive Director of Patterson Place
Here’s how you can support their mission:
🌻Place an order for items via their website or shop their market events (including Open House on Dec. 12)
🌻Make a donation
🌻Enroll or refer individuals to the program
🌻Sign up to volunteer
BONUS: Take a look behind the scenes on Instagram
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Support Patterson Place this holiday season at their Open House on Dec. 12 or by donating to their mission!
