MCC Secures Randolph EMC’s People Helping People Grant

Published on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

The People Helping People (PHP) Board of Directors announced a $975 community grant to the MCC Foundation. The board of directors for PHP, a nonprofit program of Randolph EMC, awards grants that contribute to one or more of three focus areas: the health and well-being of individuals, financial support for income-challenged families or educational advancement through enriching learning opportunities. MCC will use its funds to pay for student testing fees in its High School Equivalency (HSE) program.

There are five subject-area tests a student needs to take and pass in order to graduate and receive an HSE diploma, and the process costs $75 per student. With these People Helping People funds, MCC can waive the testing fees for 13 students this year.

 “Providing a strong foundation for students to pursue their dreams is one of the most fundamental roles of a community college,” explains MCC Director of College and Career Readiness, Debra Sikes. Deb. “There are many reasons why young people don’t complete high school, but the good news is, they can always go back and finish that degree, even if considerable time has passed.”

Classes are offered free of charge to those in need of a high school equivalency diploma, and they are designed specifically to prepare adult learners to take the High School Equivalency (HSE) tests in reading, writing, social studies, science and math.

“Because of Randolph EMC’s generosity through the PHP grant program, we are able to remove the cost barrier associated with testing for these students,” explains Deb.

Randolph Electric Membership Corporation is a community-focused electric cooperative created to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to more than 33,000 homes, businesses, farms, and schools. Randolph EMC is led by and belongs to member-owners in areas of Randolph, Moore, Montgomery, Chatham and Alamance counties.