Truist Foundation announced a $75,000 grant to support the Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s Hire Local program. The funding will be dedicated to strengthening training, education and living-wage employment connections for Memphis residents. By partnering with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, Truist Foundation inspires and builds better lives and communities, helping them innovate and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

Since 2018, the Hire Local program has proven instrumental in the lives of Memphis Medical District residents by offering a training and education pipeline for hundreds across several disciplines. Through its partnership with participating hospitals and local workforce providers, MMDC connects people in the District to training programs to help them obtain the qualifications needed to seek employment opportunities, offers resume and interview assistance, and provides referrals to available jobs in the area. Hire Local also fosters those connections from the employer side.  

“Building pathways to career opportunities and economic advancement are ways we fulfill our purpose at Truist,” said Johnny Moore, Tennessee regional president for Truist. “The Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s ‘Hire Local’ program does just that by providing access to training, accreditation, career counseling, and placement while also fueling a talent pipeline for our area’s businesses.” 

Hire Local’s support doesn’t end when residents accept an employment offer. Residents continue to receive support services and additional training through their early career milestones allowing them to learn as they earn. This program creates wealth-building opportunities for residents while filling open positions at major hospitals in the area. 

“Hire Local’s career-aligned training and education upskills residents for in-demand careers close to home and has seen tremendous success tackling multifaceted issues in our community, ” Rory Thomas, MMDC President said. “With the investment from Truist Foundation, we can continue to grow the program’s reach and invest in the future and sustainability of the people and families of Memphis.”  

In 2023, Hire Local served 200 residents toward economic stability through career search, training, community resource navigation and support services and aims to expand program offerings in 2024. 

Hire Local’s local partners include Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health Sciences University, FedEx, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS), Career Academy, Whole Child Strategies, City of Memphis and more.