Highlights from the 2012 Breaking Through Ceremony

Over 500 people were in attendance at our 2012 Breaking Through Ceremony. Families, corporate mentors, and school and community leaders gathered on Tuesday, October 2 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus to recognize the achievements and hard work of our latest class of Genesys Works Young Professionals. Led by our Young Professionals, the ceremony featured four student speakersnwho shared their breaking through stories of transformation and success. Community members and organizations were acknowledged with ACHIEVER Awards for their ongoing support for Genesys Works. Also, 153 Young Professionals were recognized and presented with business cards as they embark on their journeys towards professional success. Below are some highlights from the Ceremony.

A shot of the crowd inside the McNamara Alumni Center.

Founder and CEO Rafael Alvarez, right, joined us from Houston to congratulate students and presented them with business cards.

Young Professional Frank Rypa, one of many student speakers in the Ceremony, is pictured presenting an ACHIEVER Award.

Young Professionals enjoyed a slideshow recap of their summer training.

One of four breaking though speakers, Hannan Farah, right, posed with peers before the Ceremony began.

Alia Manraj, center, is congratulated by her mother and Program Coordinator Joel Crandall after giving her breaking through speech.

Breaking through speaker Natasha Moore arrived with a team of supporters from her workplace, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. She is pictured with Senior Recruiter Ken Dobson.

Final breaking through speaker, Najee Kennedy, shared a moment with his mother and Genesys Works Executive Director Jeff Tollefson.

Young Professional Niat Tesfai, second from left, enjoyed some refreshments with her family after the Ceremony.

Supervisors from 3M arrived together to support their seven Genesys Works interns.

The Ceremony, our most well-attended event to date, was made possible through the support of many. We want to especially thank AT&T for sponsoring this year's Breaking Through Ceremony, along with the many financial supporters and the 41 corporate supporters that provide the professional development opportunities for our students.

Presenting the First ACHIEVER Awards

This year, we were honored to present our first ACHIEVER Awards to two outstanding community members and one corporate client. ACHIEVER stands for the values we instill and reinforce in our students. We believe a positive Attitude, strong Communication skills, Honesty, willingness to take Initiative, Excellence, having a Vision for the future, Enthusiasm, and Respect help create strong leaders. The Awards recognized the leadership supporters and partners have played in providing real-world educational opportunities for Genesys Works students across the metro area. All the winners have gone above and beyond their call of duty to help Genesys Works succeed. As a way to show our appreciation for their support, we announced the winners and shared their contributions at the 2012 Breaking Through Ceremony. Awards were given out in three categories: School Partner, Corporate Partner, and Individual Contribution.

ACHIEVER Award: School Partner 
Presented to Superintendent Valeria Silva and Saint Paul Public Schools

When Genesys Works started in the summer of 2008, we had just 16 students from three Saint Paul high schools. The support of teachers, guidance counselors, principals, and the Superintendent herself have been instrumental in the growth of the Genesys Works program. Now we serve all Saint Paul public high schools. Success in Saint Paul allowed us to move into the Minneapolis Public Schools and more than a dozen other districts. 

ACHIEVER Award: Corporate Partner
Presented to Medtronic and CIO Michael Hedges 

During its four years of support as a corporate client, Medtronic has offered over 50 internship positions to our Young Professionals. Led by CIO Michael Hedges, who also serves on the Genesys Works Board of Directors, Medtronic continues to be our largest client year after year. This year alone, they employed 20 Genesys Works interns in its IT department. Medtronic has helped expand the scope of the type of work students perform, from PC deployment and help desk support to other roles, such as project management. Medtronic has set the bar high for how student interns can be successfully utilized.

ACHIEVER Award: Individual Contribution
Presented to Nick Hernandez, President and CEO of Aeritae Consulting  

In the Individual Contribution category, we recognized the individual who had the most impact on the Genesys Works program: Nick Hernandez, President and CEO of Aeritae Consulting. Nick’s support of the students and mission of Genesys Works goes well beyond his contributions as a member of our Genesys Works Board of Directors. He has introduced Genesys Works to senior leaders at potential client companies resulting in more than 40 jobs over the past two years. Nick also helped organize a special training day on ServiceNow for Genesys Works Young Professionals. Additionally, he encouraged his employees to help with developmental interviews for our students and with our Suit Up clothing drive.  

AT&T Contributes $1 Million to Genesys Works – Allows for Bay Area Expansion

On October 3, Hydra Mendoza, San Francisco Mayor’s Education Advisor and Board of Education Commissioner, joined by Ken McNeely, President of AT&T-California, and Carmen Chu, Supervisor-District 4, announced the launch of Genesys Works in the Bay Area at City Hall. The leaders were on hand to support Genesys Works, which with a $1 million contribution from AT&T will increase learning opportunities for underrepresented high school seniors. 

AT&T’s commitment to Genesys Works will support a new facility in the Bay Area and connect youth to the region’s booming technology sector, and fund other new initiatives that will help the organization scale its impact across the country.  

AT&T-Minnesota also donated $50,000 to Genesys Works – Twin Cities and sponsored the 2012 Breaking Through Ceremony.

“From a business perspective, there is no greater investment than an investment in our children. Their innovative spirit, drive and forward-thinking hold the key to our future and our country’s ability to compete in the global economy,” said McNeely. “At AT&T, we are thrilled to support Genesys Works, which connects the tech economy with youth who need access to better opportunities to succeed.”

“We are grateful to AT&T for its generous contribution in helping us expand our network to students in the Bay Area,” said Rafael Alvarez, founder and CEO of Genesys Works. “With their support we can change the life trajectory of vulnerable students who live in one of the most advanced regions in the world and help them believe a professional, meaningful career is within reach.”

Genesys Works’ innovative model has received wide recognition across the globe. Earlier this year, Forbes Magazine named Alvarez on the publication’s inaugural “Impact 30” list of the world’s top social entrepreneurs. When President Obama launched the White House Office of Social Innovation, Genesys Works was profiled as an example of social innovation that should be replicated across America. Alvarez has spoken about the Genesys Works model across the U.S. at universities, including Harvard and Rice, and has been the guest of government and educational leaders in Ireland to discuss solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

For the full press release please visit our National site. Learn more about the Genesys Works experience through AT&T's video: AT&T Aspire Helps Students Unlock Their Professional Potential Through Genesys Works.

Sponsor More “Breaking Through” Moments

You've heard our students' stories. You've learned from community leaders and members why they support Genesys Works. Now, here's your chance to help. Support our students by sponsoring more "breaking through" moments. By donating to Genesys Works – Twin Cities, you’re helping low-income students break through barriers to achieve their dreams. Your donation ensures we can continue to provide quality internships and college access support for our students.

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