Just Energy Sustainable Garden Coming to Brookside School Campuses
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Company Partners with HandsOn Northeast Ohio to Bring Students and Teachers a Unique, Experiential Learning Environment
September 18, 2018 - Sheffield Village, OH
Just Energy has partnered with HandsOn Northeast Ohio to build a sustainable garden and outdoor learning space for students and staff at Brookside elementary, middle and high schools.
Funded by Just Energy, the 'living' classroom features garden beds, benches and a chalkboard to enable students and faculty to gain hands-on opportunities to learn about environmental sustainability through preparing gardens, nurturing and harvesting plants, as well as composting, reusing and recycling. A beneficial way to augment existing curriculum for teachers, gardens like these further act as catalysts in raising awareness of important issues related to healthy eating/nutrition, food security, environmental sustainability and hunger in our schools and local communities.
The outdoor learning space ensures that students have access today, and in the future, to facilities, resources, and programming to enhance their education and provide them with unique opportunities that they might not otherwise have available to them. It also fosters the development of more fulfilled students, all while engaging the community in continued volunteer service. Sustainability and education projects like these reflect our culture of leading change through responsibility and action. As a community project, the garden will rely on the continued support of the school and local community to maintain.
"HandsOn Northeast Ohio is thrilled to be a part of this unique project, says Lauren Penkala," Executive Director, HandsOn Northeast Ohio. "A large part of what we do every day is to serve as a catalyst for community change by pulling groups together to volunteer. This project involves Just Energy, Brookside Schools, HandsOn and other local groups, who worked together on this to create a sustainable classroom garden for the students. Many individuals have had a hand in this project so we really look forward to seeing the benefits."
"As a former teacher, I understand how hands-on opportunities can enhance a student's learning experience," said Ohio State Senator, Gayle Manning. "I am pleased to see this project become a reality for our community and I encourage teachers to take advantage of this incredible outdoor learning space."
"Just Energy is proud to partner with HandsOn Northeast Ohio to combine youth education and sustainability in a way that exposes students to opportunities for skills and leadership development through experiential learning, and empowers them to take action for the common good," says Pat McCullough, CEO at Just Energy. "As a company, community has always been at the heart of what we do, so we are privileged to be able to give back in this way and benefit students today, and nurture our leaders of tomorrow."
"We are very excited to join Just Energy and HandsOn with our outdoor classroom and garden project," said Joy Morgan, Brookside Principal. "We will be using this initiative to grow our own produce and use the food in our cafeteria. Our students will engage in outdoor classroom experiences that will take their learning to a whole new level."
About Just Energy Group Inc.: Established in 1997, Just Energy (NYSE:JE, TSX:JE) is a leading retail consumer company specializing in electricity and natural gas commodities, energy efficiency solutions, and renewable energy options. With offices located across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Japan, Just Energy serves approximately 1.6 million residential and commercial customers, providing homes and businesses with a broad range of energy solutions that deliver comfort, convenience and control. Just Energy Group Inc. is the parent company of Amigo Energy, EdgePower Inc., Green Star Energy, Hudson Energy, Interactive Energy Group, Just Energy Advanced Solutions, Tara Energy and terrapass. Visit justenergygroup.com to learn more. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. HandsOn Northeast Ohio connects changemakers to nonprofits and schools in need, while engaging socially responsible companies to help make a difference in our community. Our mission is to encourage people of all ages to volunteer in meaningful projects in Northeast Ohio. Learn more at www.handsonneo.org
Nancy Donnaperna
Just Energy
P. 905.670.4440 x71312
ndonnaperna@justenergy.com
Lauren Penkala
HandsOn Northeast Ohio
lauren@handsonneo.org