LOUISVILLE, KY. – Goodwill Kentucky has received a $50,000 grant from the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit primarily funded by Regions Bank, to support its RISE program, a job-readiness training initiative designed to help individuals overcome multiple barriers to employment. The grant was announced during a graduation ceremony at Goodwill Kentucky’s Paducah Opportunity Center on Friday, February 20.
RISE, which stands for Reintegrating Individuals Successfully Every Day, equips participants with the skills and confidence needed to successfully reenter the workforce. The program provides training in essential areas such as soft skills, financial literacy, digital literacy, communication, résumé development, and mock interviewing. Regions Bank branch manager Gail Hayes teaches monthly financial education classes discussing budgeting and saving for RISE students.
“The RISE program is connecting people reentering the workforce with vital resources,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “Through its classes, interactive interview approach, and more, Goodwill Kentucky is doing more than helping people land meaningful jobs—it’s empowering them to thrive in them.”
The program is designed to help individuals take meaningful steps toward employment and long-term career pathways. Upon completion, participants earn certificates recognizing their achievements and have the opportunity to obtain Work Ready Certification while receiving job placement assistance.
“We are grateful to the Regions Foundation for their support of the RISE program and our mission to empower individuals through education, training, and employment,” said Goodwill Kentucky regional director of Career Services, Chad Spencer. “This investment will help more people build stable, successful futures, and directly advance Goodwill Kentucky’s mission of helping Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty.”
The Regions Foundation, which has awarded more than 30 million dollars in grants to nonprofits since 2018, focuses on supporting economic and community development initiatives; education and workforce readiness programs; and financial wellness across the bank’s 15-state footprint.
“This program is transforming lives,” said Brandy Mitchell, consumer banking manager and Paducah market executive for Regions Bank. “We are incredibly grateful to our Regions Foundation colleagues for this generous gift, making a lasting impact for RISE graduates and across Western Kentucky.”
For more information about Goodwill Kentucky, click here. For more information about the Regions Foundation, click here.
About Goodwill Kentucky
For more than 100 years, Goodwill Kentucky has helped Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty through the transformative power of work. Operating in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, Goodwill Kentucky places over 3,000 Kentuckians into jobs each year through its 1,400-plus employer partners and its own retail stores. These life-changing opportunities are made possible through donations to our stores and community support. The organization reinvests approximately 90 cents of every dollar earned in its retail stores into job training and workforce programs. When you give to Goodwill, you do a lot of good.
About Regions Foundation
The Alabama-based Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $160 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest, and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,250 banking offices and more than 1,750 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.