As a graduate of the Rochester City School District, Justin Ortiz has focused his career on offering youth new and unique opportunities through creative after-school programs, including one focused on making sneakers! Justin started doing business at the age of 20, launching Generation Outreach [disclosure: ESL provided a grant to Generation Outreach] and IMN LIGHTMENT PRODUCTIONS, a video marketing company. Learn more about Generation Outreach and their inspiring work with youth in our community.
“We believe that our programs are the future of education in Monroe County,” Justin Ortiz, Founder, Generation Outreach (soon to be named Operation GO)
What is Generation Outreach?
Generation Outreach is an after-school program that introduces students to careers at an earlier age. Our programs help students identify careers that they may or may not be interested in. We think outside of the box when it comes to education as you’ll see by the list of courses, we offer youth.
Tell us about the goals of the programs you offer through Generation Outreach?
Our hope is that students have great experiences through our programs and can make well-informed decisions on college, a career, or a trade. In 2022 we've had the opportunity to work with the My Brother's Keeper Initiative, the City of Rochester’s Youth Enrichment Community Education Program, U of R/ East Highs Step 2 College Program, the Monroe County Children's Detention Center, and the Harriet Tubman Project.
How has Generation Outreach grown over the years?
We've been able to expand our programs to reach more than 150 students this year!
What new programs or projects are you offering at Generation Outreach?
This year we have added Culinary Arts, Social Media Management and Podcast Creation.
What continues to motivate you and your team to do this work?
The Operation GO team understands the needs of the youth in the City of Rochester. We understand that there is a lack of hope and vision in our communities. It is our role to save as many students as possible. We believe that our programs provide an injection of hope in the lives of each of our students, and this is what motivates us to keep our programs growing.
Personally, I'm an entrepreneur, born and raised in Rochester. I started doing business at the age of 20. I've gone on to start a non-profit and two businesses, which I'm currently running. Both companies are growing and are looking to have a great impact in the Upstate New York area.
Personally, I'm an entrepreneur, born and raised in Rochester. I started doing business at the age of 20.
Tell us more about your Small Business program
Generation Outreach offers a variety of programs to youth in Monroe County:
- Video Production
- Sneaker Creation
- Clothing Design
- Culinary Arts
- Podcast Creation
- Music Production
- Social Media Management
- Video Game Design
- Financial Literacy
- Credit Repair
- Becoming a Real Estate Developer
- Build Your Personal Brand
The Results
These courses are just the start of our business. Every program offers a tangible outcome at the end of the program. For example, students designing sneakers will have a sneaker manufactured at the end of program, and they will be able to wear the sneaker they create!
Every program offers a tangible outcome at the end of the program.
Contact Info
To learn more about Generation Outreach/Operation GO, please visit operationgo.us
Generation Outreach is a recipient of an ESL Equity Grant through our Community Impact team.
