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
Jasmin Grindon
Jasmin is the current Board Secretary and sits on the Executive & Financial committees. She works at Oberlin College and is primarily responsible for overseeing all budgetary and accounting functions in the Conservatory of Music. She has also served as Advisor to Oberlin's Green EDGE Fund supporting sustainability at Oberlin College & city community.
Governance Committee Chairperson
Peter Jensen
Peter is the Governance Committee Chairperson and 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.
Outreach Committee; Governance Committee
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 Vice Chairperson; Outreach Committee Chairperson
Cindy Frantz
Cindy is a founding member of POWER, has served as the Board Chairperson, is the current Vice Chairperson, and is the Outreach Committee Chairperson. She is a Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies at Oberlin College. Her research focuses broadly on humans’ relationship with the natural world, with an emphasis on promoting sustainable behavior.
Operations Committee Chairperson
Gene Matthews
Currently the Operations Committee Chairperson, Gene is retired from 40+ years in Facilities Management at both Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University.
Board Chairperson
Brent Smith
Brent is a retired Energy Auditor. He serves on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and sits on POWER's Operations Committee.
Operations Committee
Howard Washington
Howard is the owner of Minority Electric Co., Inc. and sits on POWER's Operations Committee.