Genesys Works - Chicago opens its doors, in partnership with key Chicago institutions

Identified by Chicago Public Schools as a best-in-class enabler of meaningful internships, nationally-recognized program continues expansion.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Patton
Genesys Works
Direct: 312-924-1091
epatton@genesysworks.org

CHICAGO, IL (August 10, 2010) - Genesys Works, a non-profit social enterprise that is bridging the gap between education and business, opened its third location as the organization works to replicate its success across the nation.

Eric Patton, a former senior partner at Accenture, has assumed the role of Executive Director of the Chicago operation.  "We have engaged a pilot class of 32 high-potential students that are going through training in the summer of 2010 and working in major Chicago corporations later in the year," Patton said. "I am thrilled to be a part of the expansion of Genesys Works to Chicago."  At Accenture, Patton spent more than 20 years specializing in the financial services practice and is combining both his business expertise with his passion for making a true difference in order to successfully establish Genesys Works Chicago. 

The Chicago Public Schools system has been a key partner in the expansion of Genesys Works to Chicago. "The school district, in coordination with the business sector, identified meaningful internships as a powerful tool to increase student graduation and post-secondary preparation" said Rafael Alvarez, founder and CEO of Genesys Works. "We are thrilled that they identified Genesys Works as a best-in-class model and worked to establish a great partnership between our organizations in order to benefit the youth of Chicago". 

Aarti Dhupelia, Director of Career and Technology Education at Chicago Public Schools added, "We strive to prepare students for success in college and the working world by providing students with a holistic approach to education that enables them to gain a true understanding of what is expected by employers in the 21st century." Ms. Dhupelia went on to say, "The Genesys Works partnership with CPS is truly exemplary as it fulfills all of these goals, providing top-notch training to our students to prepare them for the working world, and connecting students to job opportunities with leading employers in the Chicagoland area. We are thrilled to be working with Genesys Works and look forward to more students gaining access to these opportunities in the future."

Genesys Works Chicago opened June 28, 2010, and is located at TechNexus, an Illinois Technology Association (ITA) affiliate program. TechNexus provides the Chicago technology community with a clubhouse that is also home to the ITA and several start-up and second stage companies, as well as a gathering point for several thousand executives and entrepreneurs each month. "Support for Genesys Works is important to the overall development of a talent pipeline for our region, identifying and mentoring students at all levels to expose them to future careers in our community," says Terry Howerton, Chairman of the ITA and member of the Genesys Works Board of Directors. The ITA has more than 700 member companies, and is helping to align Genesys Works with complementary local initiatives for academic and industry collaboration.

Accenture has been a key supporter of Genesys Works by providing students with technology, business process and workplace skills.  Accenture is also the first company in Chicago to provide internships to Genesys Works students.  In addition, the company performed the initial feasibility study to evaluate the appropriateness of entering the Chicago market.  Genesys Works was featured in Accenture's recent corporate citizenship report (www.accenture.com/Corporate_Citizenship_Report).

"Genesys Works' efforts align directly with Accenture's corporate citizenship theme, Skills to Succeed, which focuses on educating people around the world, building skills that enable them  to become employed or start businesses" said Scott Pharr, Accenture senior executive and Genesys Works Board member.  "We actively work with Genesys Works across the country and support their expansion and the career opportunities they provide."

The Chicago site was made possible in part by donations from Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Travelers Foundation, and Chicago Public Schools.

The other two Genesys Works sites are in Houston (2002) and Minneapolis-St.Paul (2008). More than 95 % of the graduates of the Genesys Works program enroll in college immediately after high school.

Since its inception in 2002, Genesys Works, a Houston-based 501(c)3 social enterprise, has provided professional job training, employment and personal development guidance to hundreds of students.  These students have effectively overcome environments of low expectations and resources to achieve in college and in their pursuit of professional careers. In 2009, Genesys Works was recognized as a leading social enterprise by President Obama when he officially launched the White House Office of Social Innovation.

Genesys Works Chicago Key Facts

• 2010 summer training program consists of 32 students, representing 8 Chicago Public Schools high schools. The program is expected to expand significantly starting in 2011.
• The summer training program is eight weeks long providing training in information technology, professional skills, and communication.
• Students will start internships in September, 2010 and will continue through their senior year of high school.
• For information on the Genesys Works Chicago program, visit www.genesysworks.org/chicago.  To inquire about engaging student interns, contact Eric Patton at epatton@genesysworks.org.

About Genesys Works Chicago

Genesys Works trains high school students in underserved communities the summer prior to their senior year in technical areas such as information technology services. Students are also taught the professional skills necessary to succeed in a corporate environment, such as effective communication, business etiquette, corporate culture and goal setting. Upon completion of the training, the students engaged into internships in Fortune 1000 companies to perform technical services. They earn an hourly wage for their work while receiving valuable professional experience and real-world mentoring. The experience has literally changed the students' outlook on and expectations for their life, giving them the drive to achieve academic success, a desire to pursue higher education, and the knowledge that they can be more than what they ever thought they could be. For more information, please visit www.genesysworks.org and/or become a fan of our Facebook page.