Just Energy Sustainable Garden Comes to Brookside School Campuses
18 September 2018 - 10:00PM
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
Media Contacts:
Just Energy Nancy Donnaperna905.670.4440
x71312ndonnaperna@justenergy.com
HandsOn Northeast Ohio Lauren Penkala Executive
Director 216-432-9390lauren@handsonneo.org