Through a combination of healthy breakfasts, lunches and learning activities, West Virginia University Extension Service’s Energy Express program continues to improve the lives of low-income children.

With help from a $1.4 million grant from AmeriCorps, Energy Express has 78 sites in 39 counties around the state and will help approximately 3,400 children entering first through sixth grades.

The program is designed to provide learning opportunities and nutrition during the summer months, when children are most at risk for falling into the “summer slide.”
The summer slide occurs when children fall behind academically because they do not continue to build their reading skills in the summer months.

Under the direction of the WVU Extension Service, teachers supervise 500 AmeriCorps members who are college students or community members. AmeriCorps members serve either as mentors or community coordinators. The mentors spend their days reading, writing and creating artwork with kids. Community coordinators recruit, train and supervise parent and community volunteers.

The AmeriCorps members will be sworn-in at a ceremony at West Virginia Wesleyan College on Monday, June 13. The event is also a kick-off to the summer’s Energy Express programs.

The WVU 4-H Youth Development program, in conjunction with AmeriCorps under Volunteer West Virginia, 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.

In addition to WVU Extension Service and Volunteer West Virginia, other supporters include the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts.

The benefits of Energy Express extend beyond the six weeks of summer. Each week every child receives a book to take home and keep.

Entering its 18th year, Energy Express is one of WVU Extension Service’s 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.ext.wvu.edu, or call 304-293-3855.

—WVU—

cw/6/13/11

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CONTACT: Ann Bailey Berry, Extension
(304) 293-5691/(304) 376-7740
email: ann.berry@mail.wvu.edu