THE POST-SIGNAL / Saja Hoffpauir
Crowley’s Empowering the Community for Excellence Learning Center was recently awarded a $5,000 grant by CenterPoint Energy. On hand for the presentation were, from left, Matthew Smith, CenterPoint Energy Operations Director; Tony Gardner, CenterPoint Energy Vice President of Gas Operations; DeAnn Goss, Representative John Stefanski’s office; Mike Francis, La. Public Service Commissioner; Audry Spencer, founder of ETCFE; Mayor Tim Monceaux; Dr. Ezora J. Proctor; Walter Andrus, Acadia Parish Police Jury.
Local Learning Center awarded $5,000 grant
The Empowering the Community for Excellence Learning Center in Crowley was recently awarded a $5,000 grant by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation.
The Foundation awards grants annually to eligible organizations in states in which CenterPoint has a business presence, including Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.
Each grant application is evaluated on a competitive basis as CenterPoint strives to fund programs with strong impact and measurable outcomes within our funding priorities. The grant funding targets innovative, effective and measurable programs that enhance the quality of life within the recipient communities and support the following giving pillars: Community Vitality and Education. Priority consideration is given to programs that serve low- to moderate-income families and underrepresented populations. Consideration is also given to initiatives that focus on diversity and inclusion.
Empowering the Community for Excellence (ETCFE) is a community-based, non-profit organization that provides free tutoring and mentoring services to low-income underachieving students. ETCFE provides an educational environment that partners certified teachers and degreed professionals with these students. Tutoring sessions are aligned with the State of Louisiana Common Core Curricula, and students are given remediation in skills in which they are deficient and reinforcement in skills they grasp.