Mon Power recently presented surprise $6,650 donations to three nonprofit organizations that are working to improve the quality of life in West Virginia communities served by the company. The gifts were presented on behalf of the FirstEnergy Foundation as part of its annual holiday “Gifts of the Season” campaign.

“We’re pleased to make these donations to organizations that are doing extraordinary work and providing meaningful support to the West Virginia communities we serve,” said Lorna Wisham, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement. “The recipients were chosen by FirstEnergy employees who identified organizations in their local areas that strengthen the community and enhance the lives of vulnerable and underserved individuals.”

The recipients of this year’s gifts are Libera, Inc., the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (WVSILC) and Centers Against Violence, which all serve residents in need.

Libera, Inc.

Libera, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building brighter futures for youth and young women in West Virginia. Founded in 2015, Libera has traveled across the state listening to girls’ stories, connecting them to resources and helping them find hope. Libera’s programs meet girls where they are in life and provide access to mentorship, education and employment opportunities. Libera plans to apply the funds toward a proposed community center and transitional housing facility in Morgantown, located in the heart of Mon Power’s service area.

WVSILC

WVSILC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the value, equality, full inclusion and freedom of choice for all West Virginians with disabilities. The organization is guided by the independent living philosophy, which seeks to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities. WVSILC plans to use its donation toward the purchase of equipment for a member wellness center at its headquarters in Saint Albans.

Centers Against Violence

Centers Against Violence, formerly Women’s Aid in Crisis, provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse and dating violence in Barbour, Braxton, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur and Webster counties. Its services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, crisis intervention, supportive services, educational and support groups, transportation, referral to community services and assistance in obtaining housing, legal, occupational and financial services. The Centers Against Violence staff and volunteers also offer community education to schools, civic groups and community organizations in its service area.

The “Gifts of the Season” initiative was created in 2016 to support programs and nonprofit organizations that align with FirstEnergy’s core value of diversity, equity and inclusion. Since its inception, the campaign has awarded more than $1.1 million to nonprofit organizations that work to strengthen communities through a diverse lens.

To be considered for a gift, the entity must be a first-time FirstEnergy Foundation grant recipient, and the entity – or at least 51% of its work – must fall under one or more of the following diverse categories:

• Service disabled/veteran-owned business enterprise
• Disability-owned business enterprise
• Minority business enterprise
• Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer-owned business
• Woman business enterprise