Supporting Women in Skilled Trades: Regions Foundation Announces $100,000 Grant for Moore Community House

By Jennifer Elmore

BILOXI, Miss., March 14, 2022 /3BL Media/ – The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded primarily by Regions Bank, announced a $100,000 grant to Moore Community House to support Moore’s Women in Construction (WinC) program that prepares women for lucrative careers in construction and advanced manufacturing.

According to Moore Community House, skilled trades and advanced manufacturing are expected to generate over 2,400 new jobs across Mississippi during the next 10 years with an average yearly salary of more than $49,000. Through the organization’s WinC program, four training courses are offered at no cost and range from two weeks to seven weeks to complete. Funding from the Alabama-based Regions Foundation will support the WinC program and expand access to classes for more women.

“Skilled trades and advanced manufacturing represent strong areas for career growth, and the Moore Community House is making significant strides in empowering women along the Mississippi Gulf Coast for these rewarding careers,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “The Women in Construction program is an excellent model to support workforce development that can provide stronger pathways, more job opportunities for women, and a better quality of life. The Regions Foundation is proud to support the Moore Community House in overcoming employment challenges that many women, especially single mothers, have experienced.”

Since the first class began in 2008, the WinC program has trained over 800 women and currently has a job placement rate above 70%.

Classes provide curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities where participants can earn nationally recognized certifications such as National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) credentials, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) completion cards, and other equipment operator cards.

Students also receive essential skills training including communication, self-advocacy, financial literacy, resume writing, conflict resolution, and interviewing. In addition, the program provides case management and, as funding allows, supportive services in areas such as transportation stipends, access to work-related clothing and tools, and child care, which helps remove barriers to workforce training.

“At Moore Community House, are grateful to the Regions Foundation for this major grant awarded to our Women in Construction Program,” said Carol Burnett, Moore Community House executive director. “This support will make a transformational change in the lives of our women students who gain training in the skilled trades where they can earn higher wages and achieve economic security for their families.”

Interested participants can attend an informational session to learn more about which classes are best for them. Registration is available at this link, and classes are available on a rolling basis year-round.

Regions Bank’s Biloxi Market Executive, Chase Maxwell, said the Regions Foundation’s grant to the Moore Community House will help provide a foundation of support for women in skilled trades.

“At Regions Bank, our goal is to make life better in the communities we serve. Through the bank’s volunteerism and community engagement priorities, our team of bank associates in Biloxi and across South Mississippi are making tremendous impacts in addressing the challenges that often hold people and communities back,” Maxwell said. “We are thankful for the Regions Foundation’s support of the Moore Community House and the impacts the WIC program will have on preparing women for careers in the skilled trades that can, in turn, provide more financial stability for local families.”

About Regions Foundation
Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the 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 $163 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 1,300 banking offices and more than 2,000 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.