Over the years, we hope you have heard or read about Access Energy Cooperative’s concern for our community. This is one of the core principles that sets cooperatives apart from other types of utilities and businesses. We’ve always taken this mission and responsibility to heart. It’s who we are as a co-op.
Over the past few months, like so many of you, we’ve risen to meet new challenges and strengthen the safety net for our community, particularly for those who are most vulnerable. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve made numerous adjustments to programs and operations to maintain business continuity while staying focused on the bigger mission of helping our consumer-members during this turbulent time.
While our purpose is to provide safe and reliable energy to you, the members we serve, we have a greater mission––to be a catalyst for good.
You’re probably aware of our RECare program, where we take donations from generous members like you to help our most vulnerable neighbors pay their bills. Our investment in youth is a bright spot in our community programs, including the Youth Tour program, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. We also offer $9000 in scholarships to area high school seniors to help with their education.
We also have a strong commitment to safety––not just for our employees, but for our community as well. We visit schools to teach children of all ages how to stay safe around electricity. We extend that same training to area emergency professionals and county workers.
Access Energy Cooperative invests in the economic development of the community through an active role in our local Chamber of Commerce, area development entities, and the Iowa Area Development Group.
You’ll also see our employees serving on local boards, coaching youth sports, volunteering at charitable events and participating in our blood drives. Because when you work at a co-op, you understand how important a strong community is––after all, without you, the co-op wouldn’t exist.
We know that our core job is to keep the lights on; but our passion is our community. Because we live and work here too, and we want to make it a better place for all. Concern for community is the heart and soul of who we are, and we do our best to give back to our communities. Together, let’s make this November the month about givi