About Us

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Mission Statement

Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly (POWER), founded in 2008, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) grassroots environmental justice organization whose mission is to increase the energy efficiency of homes, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and churches in Oberlin, Ohio and the surrounding area.

 

Vision Statement

Creating a community of comfortable, affordable, and healthy homes. 

 

POWER has helped over 400 homeowners weatherize and repair their homes to make them comfortable, affordable, and healthy. 

 

POWER seeks to:

  • Make low-income individuals more financially secure in the face of rising utility costs

  • Improve the quality of life for Oberlin residents by creating a more comfortable home

  • Reduce the amount of pollution and CO2 emitted by Oberlin housing and businesses

 
Resident Quote

“I thought financially I could not keep my home because the gas bills were so high … My latest gas bill was … less than half of what I was paying before, and I have been able to keep my home.”

- Owner of an insulated home in Oberlin

 

POWER Board of Directors

Peter is a data specialist in workforce development programs at Lorain County Community College, having previously served as POWER’s Program Administrator for two and a half years.

Board member

Peter Jensen

Peter is a data specialist in workforce development programs at Lorain County Community College, having previously served as POWER’s Program Administrator for two and a half years.

Rebecca is an Oberlin resident passionate about social justice and the environment. She is a mother to four homeschooled children, member of the city's RCRC Commission, and of the First Church Green Team. Rebecca is a fiber artist, and enjoys hiking and learning new languages.

Board member

Rebecca Bandy

Rebecca is an Oberlin resident passionate about social justice and the environment. She is a mother to four homeschooled children, member of the city's RCRC Commission, and of the First Church Green Team. Rebecca is a fiber artist, and enjoys hiking and learning new languages.

Paul Brehm is jointly appointed in the Economics Department and Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College. He teaches and researches in energy and environmental economics.

Board member

Paul Brehm

Paul Brehm is jointly appointed in the Economics Department and Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College. He teaches and researches in energy and environmental economics.

Margie grew up in Oberlin and after many years away is happy to be back in town, serving on the POWER Board and as Executive Director of Oberlin Community Services.

Board member

Margie Longsworth Flood

Margie grew up in Oberlin and after many years away is happy to be back in town, serving on the POWER Board and as Executive Director of Oberlin Community Services.

Ben is the current Facility Manager and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College.

Board Chair

Ben Hobbs

Ben is the current Facility Manager and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College.

Dr. Jeanne McKibben is retired from the healing art of medicine, now dedicated to healing our world. Jeanne previously served as liaison to POWER from the Zion CDC board. She also serves as OHC honorary trustee, member of Oberlin public library, the Green team at First Church and has solar panels on her roof.

Board member

Jeanne McKibben

Dr. Jeanne McKibben is retired from the healing art of medicine, now dedicated to healing our world. Jeanne previously served as liaison to POWER from the Zion CDC board. She also serves as OHC honorary trustee, member of Oberlin public library, the Green team at First Church and has solar panels on her roof.

Ralph is the retired Executive Director of Pathways Counseling and Growth Center of Elyria. He loves cycling, landscaping and playing Pickleball.

Board member

Ralph Thompson

Ralph is the retired Executive Director of Pathways Counseling and Growth Center of Elyria. He loves cycling, landscaping and playing Pickleball.

A long-time resident of Oberlin, Rev. Fred Bell is retired from a 27 year career in academic advising at Lorain County Community College, and serves as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin.

Former member

Fred Bell

A long-time resident of Oberlin, Rev. Fred Bell is retired from a 27 year career in academic advising at Lorain County Community College, and serves as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin.

Treasurer

Martin Buck

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Cindy Frantz is a founding member of POWER and former Board Chair. She teaches social and environmental psychology at Oberlin College.

Board Secretary

Cindy Frantz

Cindy Frantz is a founding member of POWER and former Board Chair. She teaches social and environmental psychology at Oberlin College.

Gene Matthews is retired from 40+ years in Facilities Management at both Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University.

Former Vice Chair

Gene Matthews

Gene Matthews is retired from 40+ years in Facilities Management at both Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University.

David is a retired mental health counselor, and was a founding board member of POWER in 2008.

Former member

David Snyder

David is a retired mental health counselor, and was a founding board member of POWER in 2008.

Board member

Howard Washington

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