Houston TX (June 30, 2009) – Today, President Obama launched the Office of Social Innovation which will identify and support programs across the country that can most effectively transform communities and change lives. As a great tribute to Genesys Works, Vanessa Nunez, a graduate, addressed the President and an audience of 100 influential people in the East Room of the White House.
As an example of one of our many success stories, Vanessa described the impact of Genesys Works on her life. “Seeing Vanessa speak at the White House today about how Genesys Works allowed her to see ‘a different path’ was an unbelievable experience,” said Rafael Alvarez, Founder and President of Genesys Works.
“Most importantly, [the Genesys Works experience] has taught me that I can succeed as a professional in the corporate world… a world I never imagined I could be a part of”, Vanessa said. She then continued, “Had I not joined Genesys, my life could have been typical: minimum wage, maybe two jobs, no benefits, no vacation, no holidays off, and a lifetime of living paycheck-to-paycheck. I didn’t feel sorry for myself though – this was just the way it was”. That is certainly how she talked about her mother’s life, who, as a single mother of three, has been working 6 to 7 days a week for the past 20 years and has spent most Christmases and birthdays away from her children because she has had to work.
“So right now, in communities across America, people are hard at work developing and running programs that could be the next Harlem Children's Zone or the next Genesys Works”, President Obama said from the podium.
“Instead of wasting taxpayer money on programs that are obsolete or ineffective, government should be seeking out creative, results-oriented programs like the ones here today and helping them replicate their efforts across America.” The President called for the government, philanthropy, corporations and the nonprofit community to come together to solve the toughest social problems in our country today.
The President closed his speech by saying “If we empower organizations like these, think about the number of young people like Vanessa whose lives we can change”.
To watch Vanessa’s 4 minute speech plus the key remarks from the President, please search “Genesys Works” on Youtube or click:
Today, President Obama launched the Office of Social Innovation which will identify and support programs across the country that can most effectively transform communities and change lives. As a great tribute to Genesys Works, Vanessa Nunez, a graduate, addressed the President and an audience of 100 influential people in the East Room of the White House.
“Most importantly, [the Genesys Works experience] has taught me that I can succeed as a professional in the corporate world… a world I never imagined I could be a part of”, Vanessa said. She then continued, “Had I not joined Genesys, my life could have been typical: minimum wage, maybe two jobs, no benefits, no vacation, no holidays off, and a lifetime of living paycheck-to-paycheck. I didn’t feel sorry for myself though – this was just the way it was”. That is certainly how she talked about her mother’s life, who, as a single mother of three, has been working 6 to 7 days a week for the past 20 years and has spent most Christmases and birthdays away from her children because she has had to work.