We believe that education should not be limited only to the schools, but that the community should also take part in developing area youth. Today's children will be tomorrow's leaders, and Jackson EMC not only recognizes this fact, but actively works to help cultivate these future leaders.

Jackson EMC is proud to be a partner in education with five of our area schools and the Barrow County Board of Education. Our partnership schools are Benton Elementary School, Banks County Middle School, Creekland Middle School, Hull-Sanford Elementary and Wauka Mountain Elementary School.

As partners, both sides work together on a number of projects with the goal of improving students' education. Each Jackson EMC district office coordinates programs with its respective school, and while each partnership is unique, there are a few successful programs that are implemented in all the schools.

We also provide mini-grants to teachers in each of our partnerships. Each year, teachers in our partnerships apply for a classroom need that is not normally provided through the school's funding. Through the years, dozens of mini-grants have been awarded for requests ranging from audiocassette tapes to new computer software.

Jackson EMC is highly involved other area youth programs. We hold several youth competitions that are designed to develop leadership skills, including the Energy Bowl, Youth Citizenship Award and Quality Beef Show, and our employees volunteer with many youth programs such as mentor programs and Junior Achievement.