Meet the Genesis Center: Two-time Champion in Action dedicated to workforce development

By Gina Gallagher | Citizens Contributor

At Citizens, we’re passionate about strengthening our communities through economic development, financial investments and colleague engagement. That’s why in 2002,  as part of our Citizens Helping Citizens initiative, we created Champions in Action, a unique program designed to support nonprofit organizations that work to address social issues in our communities.

In celebration of the 20-year anniversary of Champions in Action, we’re proud to highlight the work of the Genesis Center, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit that connects people from different ethnic backgrounds to critical resources and training that leads to meaningful employment and economic stability.

Read on to learn how the Genesis Center, a two-time Champion in Action, was made ready to use the award to make an even bigger impact.

Founded in 1982 to assist refugees from Southeast Asia who settled in Providence, the Genesis Center aims to contribute to a world where all people have equal opportunity to realize their full potential. The organization offers a multitude of services to help people from diverse cultures achieve economic independence.

The nonprofit’s commitment to improving the lives of others is why it has a unique distinction: a two-time Champion in Action awardee (2005 and 2016). Both awards were instrumental in providing the funds and exposure to help the organization carry out its mission and be recognized for its critical workplace development support in the Ocean State.    

The award in 2016 came at critical juncture, when the organization experienced a significant change in leadership and budget concerns. The $35,000 in unrestricted funds allowed the Genesis Center to directly invest in expanding workforce development programs, which are essential to its services.

“Champions in Action was a turning point that propelled us to a different level in terms of funding and solidifying the Genesis Center as a prominent workforce development provider in the state,” said Shannon Carroll, president & CEO of Genesis Center.

The Genesis Center was also able to capitalize on the volunteer support offered by Champions in Action. Citizens colleagues assisted with a range of projects, including providing financial education workshops as part of Genesis’ Financial Opportunity Center.

Since their second award for workforce development, the Genesis Center’s budget doubled from $2 million to $4 million, and the organization was invited to join local committees and boards on workforce programming and state workforce development programs, boosting its profile in the community.

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