About Us
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:
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Make low-income individuals more financially secure in the face of rising utility costs.
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Improve the quality of life for Oberlin residents by creating a more comfortable home.
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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 is partnered with
Oberlin Community Services (OCS).
Our physical office location is:
500 E. Lorain Street,
Oberlin, Ohio 44074
2nd floor
Hours are BY APPOINTMENT.
Please call (440)935-0995 or email power@poweroberlin.org to schedule a time to discuss how our programs can help you save money in a more comfortable home.
POWER Board of Directors
Secretary
Jasmine Grindon
Jasmine is the current Board Secretary and sits on the Executive & Financial committees.
Board Member; Governance Committee Chairperson
Peter Jensen
Peter is the Governance Committee Chairperson, sits on the Financial Committee. 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
Rebecca Bandy
Rebecca is an Oberlin resident passionate about social justice and the environment. She is a mother to four homeschooled children, sits on POWER's Governance & Outreach committees, is a member of the city's RCRC Commission, and is part of the First Church Green Team. Rebecca is a fiber artist, and enjoys hiking and learning new languages.
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.
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.
Treasurer; Finance Committee Chairperson
Martin Buck
Martin is the current Board Treasurer, Chairperson of the Financial Committee, and sits on the Executive Committee.
Board Chairperson; Outreach Committee Chairperson
Cindy Frantz
Cindy Frantz is a founding member of POWER and current Board Chairperson as well as the Outreach Committee Chairperson. She teaches social and environmental psychology at Oberlin College.
Board Member; Operations Committee Chairperson
Gene Matthews
Currently the Operations Committee Chairperson, Gene Matthews is retired from 40+ years in Facilities Management at both Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University.
Board Member
Brent Smith
Brent sits on POWER's Operations Committee.
Board Member
Howard Washington
Howard is a member of POWER's Operations Committee.