Support Services

More than just classes

More than just classes

Genesis Center provides comprehensive wrap-around services to our students and our community. We help people accomplish their financial goals and move themselves and their families toward economic empowerment.

Financial Opportunity Center®

Genesis Center is a Financial Opportunity Center® site through our partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and for many years has provided integrated coaching services to our students and community members.  FOC services include Case Management and public benefits assistance, Financial Coaching, Career Coaching, and Digital Navigation.  More detailed services and staff contact information are listed below.

financial counseling

  • Basic Banking
  • Budget / Saving
  • Credit Building
  • Financial Planning
  • Privacy & Safety

income supports

  • Public Benefits
  • Housing
  • Childcare
  • Emergency Assistance

digital navigation

  • Internet Access
  • Email / Zoom
  • Organizing Files
  • Online Safety

employment counseling

  • Resume Writing
  • Job Search
  • Interview Preparation
  • Soft Skills

Staff Contact

FOC Manager/Income Supports

Gislania Mitogo

401-781-6110 x25

gmitogo@gencenter.org

Financial Coach

Noga Paulino 

401-781-6110 x43

npaulino@gencenter.org

Employment Coach

Reginald Morris

401-781-6110 x21 

rmorris@gencenter.org

Employment Coach

Aryeri Batista

401-781-6110 x14

abatista@gencenter.org

Digital Navigator

Husam Elias

401-781-6110 x27

helias@gencenter.org

Assistant Counselor

Nayely Valdera

401-781-6110 x 36

nvaldera@gencenter.org

Keys to Success

Genesis Center’s matched savings program for vehicle purchase–In Keys to Success, program participants can work with Genesis Center Financial Coaches to save between $1,000 and $2,000 over the course of 6-12 months and then have it matched dollar-for-dollar.  To qualify for Keys to Success you must be working or in a job training program, be able to save money every month, and be in need of reliable transportation.  Working with CoastalOne Credit Union and BayCoast Bank, we have been able to work with over 50 individuals to purchase reliable and affordable vehicles.  

For more information contact:
Chris Ackley at cackley@gencenter.org
401-781-6110

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Every year, Genesis Center operates a free tax preparation site run by volunteers and Genesis Center staff.  Last year we prepared 330 returns for low-moderate-income Rhode Islanders and saw $810,550 in Federal and State refunds go back into our community.

Genesis Center starts taking appointments for taxes in January.

If you are interested, contact:
Front Desk at 401-781-6110

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income individuals and families with resources to purchase food.

If you qualify for help, you’ll get money every month that you can use to buy food at many local stores and farmers markets.

  • Everyone who qualifies can get help.

  • You may qualify whether you’re working, unable to work or getting disability.

  • You can still get benefits if you own a car or home or have cash in the bank

How much could I get?
That depends on things such as your household size, income and expenses.

If you get SNAP:

  • You can get free employment & training services. This includes help finding, getting and keeping a job.

  • Your children may qualify for free meals at school and other programs like WIC (available through the Rhode Island Department of Health).

El Programa de Asistencia de Nutrición Suplementaria (SNAP) proporciona a las personas y familias de bajos ingresos recursos para comprar alimentos.

Si usted califica para recibir ayuda, recibirá dinero todos los meses, el cual podrá usar para comprar alimentos en muchas tiendas locales y mercados de agricultores.

  • Todos los que califiquen pueden obtener ayuda.

  • Usted puede calificar si está trabajando, no puede trabajar o tiene una discapacidad.

  • Aún puede obtener beneficios si posee un automóvil o una casa o tiene efectivo en el banco.

¿Cómo lo puedo conseguir?
Eso depende de cosas como el tamaño de su familia, los ingresos y los gastos.

Si usted cuenta con SNAP:

  • Puede obtener servicios gratuitos de empleo y capacitación. Esto incluye ayuda para encontrar, conseguir y conservar un trabajo.

  • Sus hijos pueden calificar para recibir comidas gratis en la escuela y otros programas como WIC (disponible a través del RI Department of Health).

Genesis Center SNAP Survey

Want to see if you might qualify for SNAP benefits? Do you need help applying for SNAP or SNAP recertification? Take our SNAP Survey to get started and someone from Genesis will contact you shortly.

¿Desea ver si puede calificar para beneficios de SNAP? ¿Necesita ayuda para solicitar la recertificación snap o SNAP? Tome nuestra Encuesta SNAP para comenzar y alguien de Génesis se pondrá en contacto con usted en breve.

Take the questionnaire here:
Tomar el cuestionario aquí: