November 17, 2023

On September 20, 2023, FirstEnergy ambassadors joined the kickoff celebration of the FirstEnergy Power Charge Program at Garfield High School in Akron, with FirstEnergy’s Corporate Affairs & Community Involvement (CACI), donating $100,000 to fund the program over the next three years.

The Akron Public Schools College and Career Academies utilize Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) tools and practices to improve students’ behavior and promote success in school. The PBIS committee at Garfield defines the program’s parameters to provide clear guidelines and expectations for students to follow to earn reward points. Examples of positive behaviors include arriving to class on time, following dress code and using appropriate language. Students can redeem points to purchase items like snacks and Garfield t-shirts at the FirstEnergy Power Charge school store.

In addition, the program reinforces financial literacy, as points can be saved to purchase larger rewards such as prom tickets or other school events. The FirstEnergy donation also allowed Garfield to purchase software used to track student balances and redeem rewards points.

During the kickoff event, FirstEnergy’s Dewayne Edwards, manager, Transmission Design, presented the $100,000 check to Akron Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Dr. Michael Robinson and Garfield Principal Mr. Charles Morrison. Dewayne is one of four FirstEnergy Ambassador Network Leads for Akron Public Schools.

“Our charitable contribution will have direct impact on ushering in transformational change within the overall school environment,” said Lorna Wisham, vice president, Corporate Affairs & Community Involvement. “The program recognizes successful students in a systematic way, creating a positive academy culture and identity, and reducing disruptive classroom behaviors.” In addition, the FirstEnergy Power Charge Program will help prepare more students with the skills and positive behaviors that could benefit the organization’s future workforce.