Earthrise Energy Awards $25,000 Grant to It Takes a Village Mentorship Program

Funding Will Support Daily Operations, Youth Mentorship Activities, and Family Engagement Events 

Earthrise Energy has awarded a $25,000 grant to It Takes a Village Mentorship to help sustain daily operations and support mentorship activities for at-risk youth in the community. The funding will directly support curriculum materials, employee salaries, and out-of-school events that strengthen relationships between mentees, mentors, and families. 

“Every student we serve has faced trauma in their lives, and It Takes a Village is here to make sure they don’t have to face it alone,” said LeStan Hoskins, Executive Director of It Takes a Village. “This funding from Earthrise Energy allows us to continue our work of empowering students, building strong mentorship relationships, and creating opportunities for growth and healing.”  

The grant will help It Takes a Village Mentorship continue its weekly, school-based mentoring sessions, where mentors use the research-based SPARK Mentoring Program curriculum to help students develop social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. In addition to in-school mentorship, It Takes a Village hosts events like Family Skate Nights and Family Movie Nights to deepen connections between mentees, mentors, and families outside of the classroom environment. By providing consistent support and positive role models, the program aims to help students overcome trauma and thrive both academically and personally. 

“It Takes a Village Mentorship is providing critical support to the young people who need it most, helping them build resilience, confidence, and healthy emotional skills,” said Ellie Ginis, Development Manager at Earthrise Energy. “We are proud to invest in programs that create real, lasting impacts for youth and their families.”  

Earthrise Energy’s RISE Grant program supports initiatives that strengthen communities through investments in education, mental health, and community development. Through this program, Earthrise has awarded more than $1 million in grants to organizations across Illinois. 

Earthrise Energy, an independent power producer, owns and operates 1.7 gigawatts of natural gas generation capacity and is developing 1.5 gigawatts of solar projects in the Midwest, including two Gibson City projects which are now in construction. 

For more information about It Takes a Village Mentorship, visit: https://www.facebook.com/people/It-Takes-a-Village-Mentorship/100080988208022/ 

About Earthrise Energy 

Earthrise Energy, PBLLC, is an independent power producer dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the operation and development of sustainable energy projects. The company owns and operates natural gas plants and solar projects in Illinois. Through its RISE Grant program, Earthrise has awarded more than $1 million to support community development initiatives across the state. 

For more information about Earthrise Energy, visit earthriseenergy.com.