Through the WVU Extension Service Energy Express summer reading program, AmeriCorps members, volunteers and others help to enhance reading and comprehension skills for students throughout the state.
Energy Express is an award-winning, a six-week reading and nutrition program offered in rural and low-income West Virginia communities. The program helps children entering first through sixth grades overcome the “summer slide” that occurs when they can fall behind academically between school years, while also providing nutritious meals for the students.
In 2019, more than 3,000 children across 38 West Virginia counties participated in the program, with 68% of those children maintaining or increasing their reading achievement levels. In addition, the Energy Express program served more than 103,300 meals and distributed nearly 30,000 books related to the weekly theme.
Many Energy Express locations also serve as community feeding sites, where 17,156 meals were served to other community youths.
“Our volunteers are the very heart of our Energy Express program. Without them, we would not be able to reach these students,” said Andrea Price, WVU Extension Service 4-H Energy Express program director. “As we work to enhance overall outcomes and reach more children, we need the wonderful skills and passion that our AmeriCorps members, 4-H members, college students and community volunteers provide.”
For volunteers like AmeriCorps member Nadia Johnson, seeing first-hand the effect their time and commitment can have on young people is one of the greatest rewards.
“Growing up, I wanted to have fun during the summer time and go back to school to learn new things and do new things a different way,” she said. “For me to be able to do that for these kids, it just brings a joy in my heart because I can experience this with the kids.”
Those interested in serving through AmeriCorps as mentors or community coordinators must be 18 years of age by June 11 to apply. The selection process begins March 1, with applications being accepted until all positions are filled. Position descriptions and applications are on the Energy Express website.
Energy Express mentors are college, or college-bound, students who make learning fun for small groups of school-age children by creating a safe, enriching environment focused on reading, writing, art and drama.
The community coordinator recruits volunteers to assist Energy Express children in those activities, among other duties.
Energy Express is a program under the leadership of WVU Extension Service’s 4-H Youth Development program. The AmeriCorps program is funded, in part, by grants from private foundations and corporations and Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s commission for national and community service.
For questions about the program or the application process, contact the WVU Extension Service Energy Express office at 304-293-3855 or 304-291-7201. Monongalia County will offer three sites in local schools again this summer — Mylan Park, Mason-Dixon and Mountainview.
