What Genesis Center does

Genesis Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 620 Potters Avenue in Providence, Rhode Island. It provides adult education, job training, and support services to immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals, serving over 1,200 people and families annually. The organization's core programs include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, GED preparation, citizenship preparation, and a Financial Opportunity Center operated in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Workforce training is offered across three industry tracks: healthcare (CNA, medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician) with placement partnerships at CVS Health, Lifespan, and Providence Community Health Centers; culinary arts (8-week program based on American Culinary Federation standards); and education career training for foreign-trained educators and early childhood educators. Wraparound services include a 5-Star Bright Star rated Early Learning Center serving children ages 6 weeks to 4 years, free VITA tax preparation (330 returns, $810,550 in refunds), a matched-savings vehicle purchase program (Keys to Success with CoastalOne Credit Union and BayCoast Bank), and SNAP outreach recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. The organization operates in 12+ languages with a multilingual website and weekly virtual information sessions.

The business model is a hybrid of philanthropic and earned revenue. Income is generated through individual, foundation, and corporate donations; federal, state, and local government grants (including a $263,000 federal earmark delivered by Senator Jack Reed in March 2024); and nominal program fees (English classes $35/session, GED $65/session, Citizenship $25 one-time registration, with fee waivers available). A notable social enterprise, the Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP), is a restaurant launched in July 2024 inside the Providence Public Library that functions simultaneously as a culinary training venue and a community-facing cafe. Technology infrastructure consists of standard nonprofit management tools, the Rouxbe online culinary learning platform, and Zoom for virtual instruction; no proprietary technology platform or AI capabilities were identified. The organization holds a Charity Navigator accountability badge and is governed by a leadership team led by President and CEO Shannon Carroll.

Name

Genesis Center

Legal name

Genesis Center

Website

https://gencenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Genesis Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 in Providence, Rhode Island, providing adult education, job training, and wraparound support services to immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals, serving 1,200+ people annually across 12+ languages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education & Workforce Training (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Language Schools (611630), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Citizenship Test Preparation (Civics & Interview) (EDAAADAA)

Keywords

• Adult education programs
• English language classes
• Workforce training services
• Immigrant community services
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Genesis Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
2. Government Grants and Federal Funding: Federal earmarks (Senator Jack Reed delivered $263,000), government program funding for SNAP outreach, and other public grants.
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from organizations including CVS Health Foundation Hometown Fund ($50,000), Rhode Island Foundation's Black Philanthrophy Bannister Fund, and BankNewport community support.
4. Program Fees: Modest program fees: English classes $35/session, GED classes $65/session, Citizenship classes $25 one-time registration. Low-income individuals may qualify for fee waivers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Genesis Center delivers adult education (ESOL, GED, Citizenship classes), industry-recognized workforce training programs (Healthcare — CNA, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician; Culinary Arts; Education careers), and wraparound support services (Financial Opportunity Center, Keys to Success matched savings, VITA tax preparation, SNAP outreach) to immigrants, refugees, and low-income adults in Providence, Rhode Island. It also operates a 5-Star Bright Star rated Early Learning Center serving children from 6 weeks through Pre-K and runs the Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP) training restaurant. Programs are offered in 12+ languages through on-site and virtual delivery.

Product overview

Genesis Center is a community-based nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) offering a comprehensive portfolio of education, job training, and supportive services through multiple integrated programs. The core offerings include Adult Education Programs (English Classes/ESOL, GED Preparation, Citizenship Preparation), Job Training Programs (Healthcare, Culinary Arts, Education), and an Early Learning Center. These programs are supported by wraparound services including a Financial Opportunity Center, Keys to Success vehicle purchase program, VITA tax assistance, and SNAP outreach. A notable social enterprise is the Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP) restaurant, which serves as both a training site for culinary students and a community dining venue. The organization has been operating since 1982 and serves over 1,200 individuals and families annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Early Learning Center: A 5-star Bright Star rated childcare center serving children from 6 weeks old to 4 years old, providing high quality and affordable care and education
• Financial Opportunity Center
• Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP)
• Bridges to Career Opportunity
• Keys to Success

Products and services

• English Classes (ESOL) English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for adult immigrants, refugees, and newcomers at various proficiency levels, delivered on-site and online.
• GED Preparation Classes High school equivalency (GED) preparation classes offered online in evening sessions for adults needing a high school credential for further training, college, or employment.
• Citizenship Preparation Classes Civics instruction for adults preparing for U.S. citizenship, available at all levels of English proficiency.
• Healthcare Training Programs Industry-recognized training pathways for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Pharmacy Technician roles, combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical internships and direct employer placement with CVS Health, Lifespan, and Providence Community Health Centers.
• Culinary Arts Training Program Eight-week culinary training program covering food safety, nutrition, knife skills, and restaurant service, with hands-on practice through the Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP) training restaurant.
• Education Career Training Career training for internationally trained educators (Foreign-Trained Educator pathway) and for those pursuing early childhood education careers (Early Childhood Educator pathway).
• Early Learning Center 5-Star Bright Star rated childcare center serving children from 6 weeks through Pre-K, with integrated case management, mental health, dental care, and supplementary educational services for eligible children.
• Financial Opportunity Center Services Wraparound coaching services (case management, financial coaching, career coaching, digital navigation, and public benefits assistance) delivered through partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
• Keys to Success Vehicle Program Matched-savings vehicle purchase program in which participants save $1,000–$2,000 over 6–12 months and receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds to purchase reliable vehicles.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free annual tax preparation service for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders, operated by trained volunteers and staff.
• SNAP Outreach Outreach and enrollment assistance for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helping Rhode Islanders learn about eligibility requirements and apply for benefits.
• Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP) Training restaurant operated as a project of Genesis Center inside the Providence Public Library, serving international cuisine in a cafe setting and providing hands-on culinary training for students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 145 individuals placed into jobs in 2023 with average starting wage of $19.50/hour
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and major.

• WPRI NewssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 March 2025Media partnership for 12 Gives Back series featuring community organizations; hosted WPRI and Somerset Federal Credit Union for coverage.
• Rhode Island Department of Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2024Partner in SNAP outreach efforts; DHS Director Kimberly Merolla Britto recognized Genesis Center for work helping Rhode Islanders learn about SNAP availability and benefits.
• Providence Public LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024Culinary Hub of Providence restaurant located inside Providence Public Library, providing training and employment opportunities for culinary students.
• Providence Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenesis Center works with Providence Housing Authority to offer options for adults who want to earn a high school credential and continue into job training, college, or employment. Partnership enables integrated services for housing residents.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenesis Center is a Financial Opportunity Center site through partnership with LISC, providing integrated coaching services including case management, financial coaching, career coaching, and digital navigation.
• CVS HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership as collaborator and employer partner in Pharmacy Technician training program. CVS Health Foundation awarded $50,000 grant through Hometown Fund for healthcare workforce diversification efforts.
• LifespanmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Rhode Island healthcare employer where Genesis graduates are placed in healthcare positions following training.
• Providence Community Health CentersmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare employer partner where Genesis graduates work following completion of training programs.
• CoastalOne Credit UnionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanking partner for Keys to Success matched savings program, helping individuals purchase reliable vehicles through dollar-for-dollar matching.
• BayCoast BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanking partner for Keys to Success matched savings program for vehicle purchase.
• Culinary Hub of Providence (CHOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant project of Genesis Center located inside Providence Public Library. Students work at the restaurant as part of culinary training program. Provides hands-on experience and potential employment after graduation.
• Children's Network Comprehensive Services ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly Learning Center is part of this program; eligible children receive case management, mental health, dental care, and supplementary educational opportunities at no additional cost to families.
• RI Welcome Back CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for International Medical Graduate (IMG) contextualized ESOL program helping foreign-trained medical professionals obtain credentials to work in US healthcare system.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island: Providence-based nonprofit providing ESOL, citizenship preparation, refugee resettlement, and immigrant integration services. Directly comparable to Genesis Center's adult education and immigrant-serving programs in the same local market.
• Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island: Regional Goodwill affiliate providing workforce training, job placement, and adult education across Rhode Island. Comparable to Genesis Center's Bridges to Career Opportunities and healthcare training pathways serving similar low-income populations.
• Catholic Charities Providence: Faith-based nonprofit in Providence delivering refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and family support. Overlaps with Genesis Center's immigrant integration mission and wraparound service model in the same metro area.

Regional players

• International Institute of New England: New England-based nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, ESOL, and employment services across MA and NH. Comparable service portfolio and immigrant population focus, but operates in different states than Genesis Center.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS Boston): Boston-area nonprofit providing workforce training, ESOL, citizenship classes, and career coaching for immigrants and low-income adults. Strong overlap with Genesis Center's adult education and job training model but serving Greater Boston rather than Providence.

Broad incumbents

• Community College of Rhode Island: Public community college system offering adult education, GED preparation, ESOL, and workforce credentials at larger scale. Competes for the same adult learner population in Rhode Island but with broader academic offerings and public funding base.
• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and career placement for young adults, including those from immigrant and low-income backgrounds. Comparable job training-to-employment model but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• International Rescue Committee: Large international humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, ESOL, and employment services in the U.S. and globally. Comparable refugee and immigrant service model but operates at much larger scale across multiple U.S. cities.

Others

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and community development organization that operates the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) network. Genesis Center is an FOC site through LISC partnership, making LISC an infrastructure/enabling partner rather than a competitor.
• Rhode Island Department of Human Services: State government agency administering SNAP, TANF, and other public benefits. Genesis Center partners with DHS on SNAP outreach; relevant as a funder/referral source rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/genesiscenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/gencenter.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/genesis-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/genesiscenterri/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Genesis Center