Bridging Houston’s Opportunity Gap

Houston’s students are facing a critical challenge. A recent report from Good Reason Houston, Houston’s Public Schools Are Failing Our Kids—Here’s How We Fix It, underscores an alarming reality: too many students are falling behind academically, limiting their future earning potential and threatening the strength of our local workforce. The article also reports that only 20% of students who graduated in 2017 earned a living wage within six years. The effects of the pandemic have only exacerbated this crisis, further lowering proficiency in essential skills like reading and math. 

Meanwhile, nearly 48% of Genesys Works alumni earned a postsecondary credential within the same timeframe—proving that access to meaningful career pathways and mentorship changes trajectories. This statistic isn’t just a statistic. A stark reality underscores the widening gap between potential and opportunity. Conversations around access, fairness, and representation face increasing scrutiny, yet our resolve remains unshaken. Creating pathways to success isn’t a passing trend—it’s a necessity.

51% of households struggle to afford basic needs—even with full-time jobs. Known as ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, Employed) households, these families make too much to qualify for government assistance but too little to achieve financial stability. Without intentional interventions—like internships that provide career exposure and early professional experience—many of our talented young people risk becoming part of a cycle of economic instability, not by lack of ambition but opportunity. The current challenges aren’t about policy alone; they’re about people. They’re about the young professionals who rely on internships, mentors, and access to networks to break through systemic barriers. They’re about workplaces that thrive when diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued. And they’re about the future leaders who will build more equitable, inclusive communities where everyone is seen, heard, and given a real chance to succeed.

A Proven Model for Success

Genesys Works Houston is bridging the gap with a proven model designed to equip students with the skills, experience, and confidence needed to succeed as the city grapples with this growing educational crisis. That’s why we’re here today. To prove the possible. To commit, not just in words but in action, to breaking down barriers, expanding access, and ensuring that talent—not zip code—determines opportunity.

Our program provides:

• Soft Skills Training: Equipping students with in-demand technical and professional skills.

• Access To Upward Mobility With Paid Internships: Offering real-world work experience with leading corporate partners.

• Meaningful Mentorship & Postsecondary Support: Connecting students with industry professionals who guide them toward postsecondary success.

Outcomes That Outshine The Obstacles

The success of Genesys Works Houston is evident in the data:

• 100% of our participants graduate high school.

• 75% enroll in college, ensuring continued education and career growth.

• Within six years of high school graduation, our alumni report a median salary of $60,000/year—far exceeding the regional average for their peers.

• Corporate partners such as [Company A, Company B, and Company C] have invested over $2 million in Houston students through paid internships.

• More than 50% of our students graduate from college without taking out loans, reducing financial barriers to long-term success.

The Need for a Skills-First Approach

 The evidence is clear: Investing in programs like Genesys Works Houston transforms individual lives and strengthens our entire community. The increasing importance of a skills-first approach is why most employers are shifting focus from degrees to competencies, valuing real-world experience and industry-recognized credentials. This shift necessitates rethinking how young people prepare for postsecondary and career success. Career-focused education, industry partnerships, and work-based learning experiences are no longer supplementary—they are essential.

A Call For Collaboration

As we navigate this pivotal moment for Houston’s students, the need for solutions has never been greater. The question is: How can we, as a community, expand and replicate these successful models to reach even more students?

When businesses, educators, and local leaders collaborate to provide meaningful opportunities for students, we create a workforce that is skilled, motivated, and ready to contribute to Houston’s economy. Join us in ensuring that every student has access to the resources, mentorship, and experience they need to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.