BankNewport Genesis Center Grant Supports Workforce Training in Providence
BCO is expanding workforce training and financial coaching services for low-income Rhode Islanders
From left to right: Kathleen Charbonneau, Senior VP, Director of Community Relations & Charitable Giving, BankNewport; Shannon Carroll, President and CEO, Genesis Center; Amy Riccitelli, Senior VP, Director of Retail Sales, BankNewport; Christopher Ackley, Vice President of Partnerships & Strategies, Genesis Center; and Annisha Vasquez, Vice President, Community Development Officer, BankNewport.
From left to right: Kathleen Charbonneau, Senior VP, Director of Community Relations & Charitable Giving, BankNewport; Shannon Carroll, President and CEO, Genesis Center; Amy Riccitelli, Senior VP, Director of Retail Sales, BankNewport; Christopher Ackley, Vice President of Partnerships & Strategies, Genesis Center; and Annisha Vasquez, Vice President, Community Development Officer, BankNewport.
BankNewport has awarded a $15,000 grant to the Genesis Center in Providence, RI, to support its Bridges to Career Opportunities (BCO) program, which provides career-specific education, financial coaching, and workforce development services for low-income individuals in Rhode Island. The funding will help expand training in high-demand fields such as culinary arts and healthcare, empowering participants with industry-recognized credentials and career pathways.
Through the BCO program, participants engage in contextualized adult education, career training, and financial coaching via the Genesis Financial Opportunity Center. Students receive support in banking, budgeting, credit building, resume writing, and interview preparation. In addition, 1:1 coaching sessions help individuals develop personalized career and financial plans.
“At BankNewport, we believe in investing in programs that create lasting economic opportunities for individuals and families,” said Jack Murphy, President and CEO of BankNewport. “The Genesis Center’s Bridges to Career Opportunities program is an outstanding example of how education, financial literacy, and workforce training can empower individuals to achieve economic independence. We are proud to support this initiative.”
During the year 2024-2025 program, the Genesis Center aims to:
- Enroll 180 individuals in workforce training programs.
- Achieve an 80% completion rate, with graduates earning industry-recognized credentials.
- Place 82% of graduates into livable-wage careers with an average starting salary of $19.50 per hour.
- Provide financial coaching to 250 individuals, helping them improve credit scores, increase net income, and build net worth.
About BankNewport:
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the oldest banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and the community for 206 years. BankNewport has nineteen branch locations, a community lending center in Central Falls, and a commercial lending office in Providence. OceanPoint Marine Lending, a business line of BankNewport, specializes in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs.
Through its All In Giving program, BankNewport is committed to supporting nonprofits with areas of impact focused on basic human needs, children and families, education, economic security, healthy lives, arts and culture, and the environment. BankNewport has awarded over $7.7 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past five years to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives and communities throughout Rhode Island. Financial education and community service performed by employees totals 10,000 hours annually. For more information, please visit www.BankNewport.com.
About the Genesis Center:
Founded in 1982, the Genesis Center is a Providence-based nonprofit committed to workforce development, adult education, and economic empowerment. Its Bridges to Career Opportunities program integrates career training with financial literacy, ensuring participants not only gain employment but also build sustainable financial futures. The Genesis Center collaborates with state agencies, corporations, and philanthropic partners to maximize impact. For more, please visit: Genesis Center - Providence, RI.
