Through a combination of healthy breakfasts, lunches and learning activities, West Virginia University Extension Services Energy Express program continues to improve the lives of low-income children.
Entering its 17th year, the Energy Express program helps approximately 3,280 children at 83 different sites in 41 counties around the state.
Thanks to $175,000 from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the number of children served will increase by 10 percent, adding seven additional Energy Express sites in the state. This money also allowed the hiring of 63 more AmeriCorps members.
Based on the success of Energy Express participants and the unique aspects of the program, the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University has named the WVU s Energy Express program one of the nations best summer learning programs.
Ron Fairchild, executive director of the National Center for Summer Learning, will present the award at a ceremony at West Virginia Wesleyan College on Thursday, June 18.The ceremony also serves as the swearing-in event for AmeriCorps members.
This WVU 4 -H Youth Development program, in conjunction with AmeriCorps, ensures that children in low-income communities receive the nutrition and reading help they need to stay on track for six weeks during the summer.
According to Energy Express faculty, some children in rural, low-income areas fall behind in academic test scores because they dont continue to developing their reading skills over the summer.
Two-thirds of the achievement gap can be traced back to summer, so it is imperative to work on closing the summer gap,Ruthellen Phillips, Energy Express director, said.
According to Energy Express faculty, some children in rural, low-income areas fall behind academically during the summer.This is referred to as the”summer slide.”The goal of the program is to help guarantee children do not stumble into thesummer slide.
Under the direction of WVU Extension, West Virginia teachers supervise about 555 AmeriCorps college students who serve as mentors. The mentors spend their days reading, writing, interacting and creating artwork with kids in first through sixth grades.
AmeriCorps funds the training and recruitment of its members who then supervise and teach children at each Energy Express site.The states AmeriCorps members are managed by Volunteer West Virginia and the states Commission on National and Community Service.AmeriCorps and the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts are the programs largest supporters outside of WVU Extension.
The benefits of Energy Express extend beyond the six weeks of summer. Each week every child receives a book to take home and keep.
We hope kids keep reading after Energy Express ends.The take-home books help build children’s libraries and hopefully encourage the children to read at home,”Phillips said.
Energy Express is one of WVU Extension Services premier programs, uniting children and community members to make summer a time for food, fun and learning in areas and for people in need.
For more information about Energy Express, visit www.energyexpress.wvu.edu , or call Ruthellen Phillips at 304-293-3855.
County:Site Name
Barbour:Belington
Barbour: Philippi
Boone: Ashford-Nellis
Boone: Van-Wharton
Cabell: Guyandotte
Calhoun: Calhoun
Clay: Big Otter
Clay: Clay Elementary
Doddridge: Doddridge
Fayette: Mt. Hope
Fayette: SALS Community Center
Gilmer: Glenville State College
Grant: Petersburg
Greenbrier: Alderson
Greenbrier: Frankford
Greenbrier: Lewisburg
Greenbrier: Rainelle
Greenbrier: Ronceverte
Greenbrier: Western Greenbrier
Greenbrier: White Sulphur Springs
Hampshire: Hampshire High School
Hampshire: Romney
Hancock: First United Methodist ChurchWeirton
Harrison: Northview
Harrison: Salem International University
Harrison: Wilsonburg
Jefferson: Ranson
Kanawha: Bob Burdette Center
Kanawha: Flinn
Kanawha: Harambee
Kanawha: Sharon Dawes
Lewis: Jane Lew Elementary
Lewis: Roanoke
Lincoln: Big Ugly
Lincoln: Duval
Lincoln: Hamlin
Logan: Chapmanville
Logan: Logan Elementary
Logan: Man Elementary
Marion: Rivesville
Marshall: Cameron Elementary
McDowell: Southside
Mercer: Bluefield Intermediate
Mercer: Lashmeet/Matoaka
Mercer: Mercer
Mercer: Oakvale
Mineral: Keyser HeadStart
Mineral: Keyser I
Mineral: Keyser II
Mineral: Wiley Ford
Mingo: Burch
Mingo: Dingess
Mingo: Gilbert
Mingo: Kermit
Mingo: Lenore
Monongalia: Mason-Dixon
Monongalia: Mylan Park
Monongalia: Skyview
Monroe: Mountainview
Monroe: Peterstown Elementary
Morgan: Widmyer Elementary
Ohio: Bridge Street
Pleasants: St. Mary’s Elementary
Pocahontas: Marlinton
Preston: Kingwood
Preston: Terra Alta
Preston: Tunnelton/Denver Elementary
Raleigh: Bradley
Raleigh: Coal City
Raleigh: Cranberry-Prosperity
Ritchie: Harrisville
Roane: Spencer
Taylor: Flemington
Tucker: Davis Thomas Elementary
Tyler: A.I. Boreman Elementary
Tyler: Sistersville Elementary
Wayne: Crum
Wirt: Wirt Co. Primary Center
Wood: Franklin Elementary
Wood: Madison Elementary
Wood: Martin Elementary
Wyoming: Huff Consolidated
Wyoming: Mullens