Banding Together

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes the many contributions people with disabilities make to America’s workplaces and economy. In this article, we share how one nonprofit is helping ensure employment and an independent life are fully InReach for their customers.

The Intro: Making Music and Dreams Come True

“When we got everyone singing, oh my gosh; that’s when it got me. That was wonderful.”

There was not a dry eye in that room. There was an immediate camaraderie between the Regions people, our people and our staff.

Music can evoke all sorts of emotions. And on one special day – well, we’ll have Kathi Knier pick it back up here.

“There was not a dry eye in that room,” said Knier. “There was an immediate camaraderie between the Regions people, our people and our staff. It was a moment for sure.”

That moment bringing everyone together and to tears? A donation of 30 instruments and accessories from nonprofit Guitarists for Good to InReach, an organization empowering 1,100 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Our mission is to provide opportunities for our people to have their own housing, have their own jobs in the community, to have the life all of us pursue,” explained Lori Gougeon, InReach president and CEO. “They need extra support for the dreams they have.”

Dreams like playing the banjo or drums through InReach’s music programs.

They need extra support for the dreams they have.

The Regions Bank trio helping make those melodic dreams come true? Kerri Raines, Terry Hoey and Ashley Hucks.

Kerri’s Verse: ‘Hook, Line and Sinker’

Regions’ Managing director of Real Estate Capital Markets Kerri Raines met Kathi Knier nine years ago.

“We play tennis and I lose to her every single time,” said Knier, chief development officer with InReach, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. “One day, we had a conversation about InReach. It took Kerri being around our people just one time and we had her hook, line and sinker.”

“You get really excited about InReach very quickly,” Raines said. “Their customers epitomize living with a generous heart.”

Knier sees the same in Raines.

“Kerri is a highly organized go-getter who brings so much to us,” said Knier. “We set a goal and Kerri’s going to figure out a way to make it happen and for all the right reasons. She knows the dollars raised are going to benefit people she’s met firsthand.”

Terry’s Verse: ‘It’s Such a Gift’

Terry Hoey, Regions Mortgage Production manager and market executive in Raleigh, North Carolina, met Sandy Green 11 years ago at a music pickin’ circle. That same year, Green founded Guitarists for Good to share her love of music by providing free instruments to homeless shelters and nonprofits serving people experiencing housing insecurity.

Hoey, a guitarist and vocalist who plays shows benefiting area nonprofits, soon after began delivering instruments to shelters for Green.

“It’s not lost on me I can take something I’m passionate about with music that’s a big part of what I do away from work, and it helps the community,” said Hoey. “It’s such a gift to be able to do that.”

Ashley Hucks, the Bridge:

Raines and Hoey didn’t know each other working in different business groups and cities. But Ashley Hucks, executive assistant with Regions’ Financial Crimes team, knew both and spotted a potential collaboration opportunity.

“Terry mentioned he had guitars to share with nonprofits and I remembered InReach’s music programs after taking a campus tour,” said Hucks. “I thought, ‘This would be a great fit.’”

Hucks bringing Raines and Hoey together is fitting given InReach also serves as a bridge for its customers.

“I view us as the connector,” explained Knier. “We make a lot of connections our folks may not have on their own, like employment, with a church service, a sporting event. We’re a second family, sometimes the only family, for our folks.”

The Chorus: All Together Now, With Feeling and Excitement

When Raines, Hoey, Hucks and additional Regions teammates delivered the instruments to members of InReach’s “Melody Makers” – well, we’ll have Hoey and Raines take it this time.

“They were so excited for us to be there,” said Hoey. “They played a two-song concert for us, and they had clearly practiced.”

“There was dancing, singing and pure joy in that room,” added Raines. “We were excited to show them all these new instruments they never dreamed of having. I experienced pure joy seeing that gift from Sandy and Terry putting it all together.”

Knier was also moved by Green and Hoey’s generosity.

“Sandy believes so wholeheartedly in the power of music and she understands the way our folks enjoy life on a different level,” said Knier. “And Terry’s talents and personality just clicked right away with our people. I was in awe watching him.”

Hoey was equally in awe as he grabbed a guitar and played with the group.

The Refrain: Joy

Months have passed since the donation was made, but the joy from that day hasn’t.

“It was my best day at work ever,” said Hoey, who returned to InReach last month to restring, clean and tune the donated guitars.

“Actually, I think it was my best day at work ever,” countered Raines.

But don’t worry, this disagreement won’t break up the band. They’re already searching for their next duet.