Sparking Sustainable Futures
2019
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT
GENESYS WORKS HOUSTON
Eighteen years ago, we began connecting youth from Houston’s underserved communities to professional opportunities and pathways to career success. In fact, we made it our mission and it’s become a personal calling for me. As I reflect on 2019, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to spark resilient and sustainable futures for Houston’s motivated young people. I am immensely grateful to our generous donors, committed volunteers and corporate partners. With you by our side, our young professionals have an entire community in their corner, championing their dreams with unyielding belief and a proven path forward.
As an organization, we provided opportunities to 427 young people in 2019, and we could not have done it without our community of corporate partners. Together we are impacting lives, companies, and communities. In this report we feature Midcoast Energy and Ramon Garcia, a former intern supervisor at Enbridge who served a pivotal role in bringing the GW program to Midcoast when he transitioned. “Often success can be measured by the amount of opportunities that one is provided throughout life” shared Ramon. “Whenever we at Midcoast provide an opportunity to an incoming intern, we are providing them that initial professional spark that will allow them to learn something about a profession and an industry.”
As we celebrate our progress in 2019, we continue to pursue ways to grow our community impact in the future. With the support of Fort Bend ISD, community leaders, and The George Foundation we are expanding our footprint across the greater Houston area and into Fort Bend county. Through the careful planning and consideration of our Fort Bend Advisory Council, we have set a goal of training and placing approximately 120 Fort Bend ISD students in the area over the next 3 years, increasing our overall student capacity by roughly 20%. With this expansion we are closer than ever to realizing our vision of a future where all youth finish high school equipped and ready for the professional workforce.
Though I’ve been with Genesys Works Houston for over 5 years, I am still in awe of what we, as a community, can achieve together. In September, we raised over $90,000 at our inaugural Ambassadors Luncheon, hosted by Genesys Works interns and alumni. There, I witnessed alumni just a few years out of the program leading conversations on access and equality with executives generations their senior. I am proud to see alumni giving their time back to Genesys Works and know that our organization will be even stronger for it.
Our continued growth and impact would not be possible without the ongoing investment of time and money from partners like you. Thank you for believing in prosperous and sustainable futures for anyone with the work ethic and will to succeed. Together we are making a difference in Houston’s future workforce.
Sincerely,
Katherine Taylor
Executive Director
Genesys Works Houston
Genesys Works provides pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships.
Total students served
Total student earnings
College enrollment rate
First-generation college students
Qualify for free or reduced lunch
Students of color
-
Median earnings of employed alumni
Earn more than both parents combined
Earn the same or mare than at least one parent
Social Return on Investment
At Genesys Works, the companies we partner with are vital to our mission. Partners like Midcoast Energy are committed to providing opportunities to Houston's young people, which will pave the way toward resilient and sustainable futures. They understand that the opportunities we provide today will have lasting effects in our communities tomorrow.
Ramon Garcia, Director of Accounting at Midcoast, has been a champion of the Genesys Works program since he was an intern supervisor at Enbridge. When Ramon transitioned from Enbridge to Midcoast in 2018, he made sure to bring the Genesys Works program with him. “By hiring Genesys Works interns, Midcoast is helping instill the basic tenants of what it means to be a successful professional within the Houston energy space and in doing so, creating the next generation of professionals in this sector,” shared Ramon.
Together, Genesys Works and local companies such as Midcoast are providing professional opportunities to young people and imparting real change on local communities.
The Genesys Works program begins with eight weeks of skills training, where students learn the technical skills they’ll need to have for their future careers, as well as professional skills such as how to network and problem solve on the job. Those who successfully complete this training earn an internship for the entirety of their senior year of high school.
Raul Arreguin made an impression within days of his training. Though he entered the program with a group of friends, he was committed to getting the most out of each day’s lessons and determined to stand out and earn an internship. Now, as an intern with Enbridge, he’s putting the skills he learned through Genesys Works to good use. “Skills training taught me a lot of things that I now use every day in my internship. Things like how to use Excel, the proper way to write an email, wearing professional attire, and managing my time effectively to get assigned work done.”
With the support and personalized coaching provided by Genesys Works, interns like Raul are able to navigate the professional world at a high level. “Genesys Works provided me with a great opportunity,” said Raul. “My internship has allowed me to interact with new people and has opened the doors to the business world.”
The end of an internship is just the beginning for Genesys Works interns. In just a year, students emerge from our core program with improved professional skills, confidence, and valuable work experience. Alumni of the program can count on Genesys Works to support their next career move with college internships and professional development opportunities.
Belen Cosme entered Genesys Works ready to get to work. She knew that she wanted to pursue opportunities in the corporate world, but wasn’t sure where to start. After completing summer training and gaining the skills she needed to succeed, Belen went on to an internship at Kinder Morgan. “My first internship with Genesys Works was in the IT department at Kinder Morgan,” remembers Belen. “That yearlong experience solidified what I wanted to do. When I left Kinder Morgan, I knew what I wanted and got straight to work, and it was thanks to Genesys Works placing me there!”
Since completing her high school internship, Belen has been laser-focused on achieving her goals. After a Genesys Works college internship with Service Corporation International and an early graduation from the University of Houston with a degree in Management Information Systems, Belen is now working full-time at a local management consulting firm, using the skills she cultivated during her years as an intern. She said, “I’ve just started my first full-time job at a great company and I couldn’t be happier! I know I’m here because of my internships, all of which started with Genesys Works. I’m thankful for having had the opportunity three years ago to join such a distinguished organization.”
Since 2016, Scarborough High School has partnered with Genesys Works to take learning beyond the classroom. In that time, Scarborough’s students have interned at Fortune 500 companies like CenterPoint Energy and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. The experience they’ve gained is the kind you can only get on the job.
Genesys Works school champion and Scarborough’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, Stella Cunningham, encourages her students to apply for Genesys Works because she sees the difference real-world experience can make. “The students who go through the program are better prepared to make the successful transition into the workforce or into postsecondary education at the end of their senior year,” she said. “When compared to their peers, they are more successful at multi-tasking between work and school.”
Working with over 30 schools across the Houston area, Genesys Works is able to provide students with a pathway to long-term career success. The combination of support students receive in the classroom from educators like Mrs. Cunningham and the personalized coaching they receive from Genesys Works, enables them to access their full potential and fulfill their postsecondary goals.
With gifts of time, funding, and expertise, PurePoint Financial has shown its commitment to investing in Houston’s youth and communities. John Allen, Director, and Kristen Wilbanks, Financial Center Officer, are both passionate about finding ways to make an impact. “PurePoint has a strong commitment to the communities in which we operate and as Houston continues to thrive, our youth will take on greater challenges and responsibility,” said John. “Investing in their journey early in life will help create a well-rounded workforce of competent and confident young professionals.”
After learning about Genesys Works in 2018, Kristen and John looked for opportunities to not only support the organization philanthropically but also to get their team involved. In 2019, PurePoint hosted a workshop for Genesys Works alumni to celebrate America Saves Week and showed up en masse to volunteer at Mock Interviews, an event they underwrote. “Supporting Mock Interviews allows us to make a tangible impact on each cohort by providing a safe environment to practice interviewing,” said Kristen. “We are proud that our team members dedicate their time to connect with students as they prepare for upcoming interviews.”
In just two years PurePoint Financial has become one of Genesys Works Houston’s most dedicated supporters. Their commitment to our mission mirrors PurePoint’s commitment to invest in their communities and create opportunities for a brighter tomorrow.
Genesys Works is able to make a difference in the lives of Houston-area students because of the financial contributions made by our generous donors. For these gifts, we are most grateful.
The George Foundation^
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation^
The Fondren Foundation^
Trellis Foundation
The Brown Foundation
The Houck Family Foundation
The John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation
The Powell Foundation
Wayne Duddlesten Foundation
Accenture
AIG
CFP Foundation
Chick-fil-A Foundation
Comcast Foundation
Halliburton
M. D. Anderson Foundation
Raymond and Elaine Messer Elisabeth Nash
SIM – Houston
Williams
Adam Barth and Elizabeth Harper
Linda and David Castaneda
Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
Baker Botts LLP Shawn and Rachel Duffy
Ernst & Young LLP
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
Greater Houston Community Foundation
HEB Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust Richard and Elizabeth Husseini
John P. McGovern Foundation Robert, Elise and Lily Flexon
Price Gregory International
PurePoint Financial
PwC
SCI
Texas Children’s Hospital
Vivian L. Smith Foundation
Walter P Moore
Youths’ Friends Association, Inc
Baker Hughes a GE Company
BB&T Branch Banking and Trust Company
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners
Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates, Inc. Jesse Carrillo and Ilene Goldfine
CenterPoint Energy
Chet Morrison Contractors, LLC
Community Health Choice
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP Marian Davenport Myra and DiCarlos Davis
Enbridge Foundation
EPAM Systems, Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
First Horizon Bank
Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron Foundation
Human Capital Catherine and Brian James Gene and Lyna Janiszewski Myrtle Jones
Kinder Morgan Foundation
Evan and Elizabeth Kirchen Jerry and Laura Lasco
Marek Family Foundation Mike and Anna McDonnell
McKinsey & Co.
Miller Grossbard Advisors, LLP
Pauline Altman-Goldstein Foundation Michael and Lynn Preston
RBC Capital Markets, LLC Scott and Stephanie Silvas
Strike LLC Elizabeth and Mark Sweigart
Teligistics Hilary S. Ware
Charles and Amy Alvarez
Amegy Bank of Texas
Anonymous
Avanade Inc. Erskine Black Jr.
Bloomberg Philanthropies Carolyn Burke
Cheniere Energy, Inc
ConocoPhillips
Culture Map
Deloitte Brian E. Dunn
Field Industries LLC Mary Beth Gracy and Jason Martinez Matt and Janet Heath David Henley Sam Hix
Houston Methodist
Houston Young Lawyers Foundation Tracy and Ken Janda^
JL Allen Services, Inc. Mike and Libby Jones Paul and Jean Krueger
Magnolia Oil and Gas
Michels John Del and Wendy Mixon Charles and Karen Penland Scott Pharr
Protiviti
Ranger Plant Constructional
Eden Rooney
Susanna Sabbagh Ron Scharnberg Kathryn Smith
Sterling Construction Company Inc. Katherine Taylor and Vincent Heesakkers
US Pipeline
Vinson & Elkins LLP
Wood Steven Wyatt
Carina Antweil
Dinova, Inc.
Jake Guillory
Houston Area Women’s Center
Madeline Kelly
Lisa Marshall
Shelby Mathew
Todd McGarth
Margaret and Jonathan Nash
Joe Osborne
Steve Sidney
SIM Foundation
Amod Bavare
Fred and Carolyn Brieden
Catie Brownback
Alejandro Colom
Sarah Davies
Megan Donaldson
Jerry and Brenda Fabian
Joe Foy
Paul Halpin
Greg Hughes
Ann Jackson
Michael Lewis
Rone Luczynski
George Meegan
Mohan Panicker
Joe Quoyeser
Albert Rees
Peggy and Mark Rhoads
John Scales
Robert Scheinerman
Lori Spilde
Donna and David Steadman
Dorothy Taishoff
Jane Wagner
Oluwafemi Adunbarin
Norma Allen
Amazon Smile
Tamara Anderson
Gayla Ashley
Sandi Ashley
Colleen Ashworth
Sara Beaves
David Berry
Olga and Joel Betancourt
Fred Brieden
Andy Brown
Debra Brown
Jake Bunch
Aracely Bustos-Oliva
Aaron Cano
Deborah Castillo
Xochitl Castillo
Juan Chavez
Chip Clarke
Corinne Collard
Kristin Collins
Dave Conover
Ashley Cuevas
David Emmons
Kristy Fields
Cindy Flores
Suzie Flores
Miguel Angel Gallegos
Karen Garcia
Aaron M. Godoy
Josh Grabow
Victoria Guerra
Ross Heidecker
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
LeRonica Hill
Amy Hufnagel
Alice Humphrey
Tim Jackson
Steve Janda
Ranjith Jangala
Michael Johnson
Marcela Kane
Naaz Khumawala
Jennifer Kolb
Lary Kupor
Andrea Low
Lucy Lunt
Lane Martin
Kenny McCorquodale
Shawntell McWilliams
David Michels
Ray and Jennifer Miller
Shannon Mosher
Cindy Moss
Steven Moss
Shams Muwafaq
Janet Nieto
Brian O’Higgins
Olatunji Olaoye
Robbie Pape
Deidra Patterson
Andrea and Jim Patton
Zachary Patton
Vesta Pears
Katherine and John Plumb
Linnea Principe
David Robertson
Edwin Rodiguez
Janet Rudnicki
Dax Sanders
Keionna Sanders
Kathryn Shanley Charlene Slack
Helen Small
Joe Small and Angela Hernandez Thomas Smith
Nikki Suarez
Justin Sumrall
Lewis C. Taishoff
Kelly Tarr
Keith Thayer
Melissa Tompkins
Tony Tran
Michael Triesch
Alicia Vasquez
Janine White
Kristen Wilbanks
Amir Yunus
Troy Zuckero
Astros Foundation
Harris County
Phil and Lynne Sprick
Leadership Society member
Alumni
^ Multi-Year Gift
The collaboration between Genesys Works and our corporate partners is at the heart of our success. We want to thank the following companies for providing life-changing work opportunities to our young professionals.
| HOUSTON 2019 Financials for annual report | 2019 |
|---|---|
| INCOME | |
| Earned Income | 4,596,461 |
| Contributed Income | 1,745,601 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 6,342,062 |
| EXPENSES | |
| Student Wages | 2,254,878 |
| Other Program Expenses | 3,213,216 |
| General & Administrative | 469,381 |
| Fundraising | 458,585 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | 6,396,060 |
| Net Unrestricted Income | -53,998 |
| HOUSTON 2019 Financials for annual report | 2019 |
|---|---|
| ASSETS | |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1,814,548 |
| Accounts Receivable | 680,917 |
| Other Current Assets | 346,079 |
| Property & Equipment (Net) | 132,296 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 2,973,840 |
| LIABILITIES | |
| Accounts Payable | 36,227 |
| Other Liabilities | 213,227 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 249,454 |
| Unrestricted Net Assets | 2,410,390 |
| Temporarily Restricted Net Assets | 401,668 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 2,724,386 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES and NET ASSETS | 2,973,840 |
