10 questions with Paul Eisenstein
1. Where do you work?
I work for a nonprofit organization called The Mission Continues. At The Mission Continues, we empower wounded veterans to continue service to their country at home in their communities. I love my job, but it keeps me busy! We are based here in St. Louis, and grant service fellowships all throughout the country. I previously worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
2. How long have you lived in St. Louis?
I moved to St. Louis from Tucson, Arizona, when I was 12 years old and have lived here off and on since then. I started my college career at Penn State and moved to California to join AmeriCorps after graduating from college. St. Louis and me are like peas and carrots though. We complement each other well and I always seem to come back!
3. How and when did you get involved with GenNext?
I was recruited by a friend of mine, Aaron Margolis, who recommended I join the steering committee. I’ve been on the SC since the beginning of this year.
4. What’s been your favorite GenNext activity or memory?
I’m still fairly new to GenNext, but I love the service projects. I volunteered at a senior housing facility recently and loved helping to make the home a better place for all the older men and women who lived there. I also loved the feeling I got seeing 20 eager young people coming together to pitch in and make a difference. It made me realize how much power and potential we have when we come together.
5. Why are volunteerism and philanthropy important to your generation?
Volunteerism and philanthropy are important to our generation because we’ve realized that government mandates can’t solve all of our society’s problems. Building a better world requires that we, as a generation and as individuals, step up and use our creativity and energy to create more happiness and opportunity.
6. Where would you like to see GenNext in five years?
I want GenNext to be the premier service organization for young professionals in the region. I’d like to see the initial wave of GenNext leadership step up as our region’s next generation of civic, business and political leaders. If we collectively decide to reinvent our future, we can create a bright and prosperous St. Louis future. The membership of GenNext and the United Way has a huge role in ensuring our region’s success.
7. Do you have plans for Cinco de Mayo?
Yes, I will be drinking margaritas. Place is TBD!
8. What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?
Tough question! If money is no issue (which it is!) I’d say Niche Restaurant in Benton Park. If I’m looking for a satisfying but less-fancy option for lunch or dinner - you can’t beat Sen Thai which is less than a block from where I live downtown. The green curry is delicious.
9. What was your first car?
A two-door, strawberry-colored mid-90s Toyota Tercel affectionately dubbed “Strawberry Quick.” The car didn’t make many ladies turn their heads in awe, but the police assumed that only a senior citizen would drive such a car, so I rarely got pulled over.
10. Where’s your favorite place for a day trip?
Elephant Rocks. I love to go there and climb up, down and in between the boulders. Who knew that there’d be such huge rock formations in Missouri?!
Yea, work it big brother!!
-Ben
Posted by Ben Eisenstein on July 5, 2009 at 8:11PM