Power Source: Regions and a Community Partner Create Job Opportunities in Memphis

One workforce program is doing far more than teaching students valuable job skills. It's amplifying their self-confidence by encouraging them to defy limitations.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 10, 2024 / Regions Bank

Foto: Accesswire

By Kim Borges

Regions Bank supports workforce development programs that help people get ready to succeed in well-paying jobs. One of those programs is conducted by Peer Power Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee, a tutoring and mentoring nonprofit Regions supports financially and through the volunteerism of Regions Private Wealth Management leader Lance Cowles. Here, we view the work Peer Power is doing to help break the cycle of poverty through the lens of the visionary director who's guiding it.

In August of 2023, Marlon Ross Jr. delivered a presentation as if his life depended on it.

"I stood in front of 100 students encouraging them to take a chance on this opportunity," he said.

His motivation? Knowing his audience's lives depended on it more.

"Some of these young men have been through some really, really hard circumstances," he said.

Ninety percent of Peer Power's Workforce Development students have witnessed a homicide. Some have been justice-involved themselves committing misdemeanors.

But that night, Ross, director of Workforce Development with the Memphis nonprofit, offered a chance to change that trajectory.

"We had 17 enroll in our program," he said of the first class. "We have 24 in our second class."

A year before giving that speech, Ross himself was at a crossroads.

"I'd been a history teacher at two schools but felt confined and frustrated seeing graduation rates of 15 and 20 percent," he said. "I wanted to be able to do more."

Knowing Peer Power Foundation's impact from serving as a peer mentor while enrolled at the University of Memphis made returning to work there an easy decision.

I grew up in a low-income family with a single mom. This is a calling I'm very grateful to have in my life. I thank God to be in this position. I truly believe I'm living my purpose.

Marlon Ross Jr., director of Workforce Development for Peer Power Foundation

"I'm from Memphis, born and raised," he said. "I grew up in a low-income family with a single mom. This is a calling I'm very grateful to have in my life. I thank God to be in this position. I truly believe I'm living my purpose."