Just Energy Foundation Gardens and Outdoor Learning Spaces Growing Strong in the South

HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2018 -- The Just Energy Foundation has been working closely with community partners across the US Southwest to bring more Just Energy Sustainable Gardens and outdoor learning spaces to underserved schools in Just Energy’s South and Southwest operating markets.

Official ribbon cutting to open the Just Energy Sustainable Garden and Outdoor Learning Space

With a focus on the South during the winter months, the Foundation worked with local volunteer agencies to organize unique, accessible and hands-on learning spaces for students and staff to integrate into their sustainable living curriculum.  The Garden initiative supports Just Energy’s commitment to investing in the environment while adding value to communities. Made possible by $10,000 grants, the outdoor classrooms provide youngsters with an opportunity to get involved in environmental stewardship through fun, experiential learning. The goal is to leverage the merits of outdoor learning for students’ development, and help schools offer stimulating environments to transform the quality of learning experiences, and set the stage for future success.

In December, Just Energy Foundation partnered with Volunteer Houston for its third Just Energy Sustainable Garden in the region, with the latest transformed space taking place at B.K. Bruce Music Magnet Elementary School. Previously, sustainable garden educational areas were built at Brookline and Lantrip Elementary Schools.

More recently, the Just Energy Foundation partnered with Hands On Atlanta (HOA) in January to build a sustainable garden and outdoor learning space at Roberts Elementary School in Suwanee, Georgia. Complete with garden beds, benches, and chalkboard, teachers and students worked side by side to build the new, outdoor space to be utilized by the school community for years to come. Click here to view the video. Dedicated to social action, the Foundation was eager to join HOA’s Martin Luther King Day of Service to acknowledge the important role and responsibility of companies to get involved and help make a positive and lasting difference in the community. The Foundation focuses primarily on education, care for the environment, and volunteerism to join students and community members together to cultivate not only sustainable gardens, but teams of action, cooperation and enrichment.

“With eight Sustainable Gardens now successfully built, we are forging a path to empower students to take their place as earth stewards as well as social leaders,” says Kandi Terry, Executive Director of the Just Energy Foundation. “Youth have so much to offer, and to be able to provide them with the resources they might otherwise not have for unique learning opportunities is incredibly rewarding and satisfying. We are especially proud, in this 50^th year commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy, to be associated with the good work of Hands On Atlanta recently and unite in service to advance student education and equal learning towards healthier, more inclusive communities. We look forward to future partnerships with other volunteer organizations across the country in similar, service week initiatives.”

The Foundation is excited to be looking ahead to its next garden builds in Sacramento, California, in February.

Since launching the Just Energy Sustainable Gardens and learning spaces in December 2017, the Foundation has completed three garden areas in Houston, three in Boston, and one each in West Orange, New Jersey and Suwanee, Georgia. More are scheduled this year for the US East (New York, Pennsylvania) and Midwest (Illinois, Ohio), as well as in Canada.

About Just Energy Foundation:
The Just Energy Foundation was established in 2013 by Just Energy Group Inc. to help registered Canadian and U.S. charitable organizations secure the resources required to promote the health and well-being of communities in need. Funded entirely by Just Energy, the Foundation invests in local programs that work to enhance the quality of life in Just Energy's operating markets towards building stronger and supportive communities. Visit justenergyfoundation.com to learn more.

About Just Energy
Established in 1997, Just Energy (NYSE:JE) (TSX:JE) is a leading retail energy provider 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 1.5 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, Green Star Energy, Hudson Energy, Tara Energy and terrapass. Visit justenergygroup.com to learn more. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Media Contact:

Just Energy Foundation
Nancy Donnaperna
905.670.4440 x71312
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee6289d0-f800-4eb0-8bb1-f082b5dd61c6