WVU Energy Express

Energy Express is an award-winning, summer reading and nutrition program for children living in West Virginia’s rural and low-income communities. With Energy Express, more than 3,000 children statewide gain or maintain reading levels during summer months through creative, colorful and captivating uses of art, drama and vocabulary. Our program also provides children with two nutritious meals each day during the program, helping to ensure our youths are fed each day even after the school year comes to an end. With the help of volunteers and mentors, students enjoy a daily read aloud to further enhance comprehension and fluency. The program works! Evaluation results show that most children enrolled in Energy Express either maintain or increase their reading skills. Each site is composed of team of 5 to 8 college-student mentors and a community coordinator supervised by a site supervisor who is usually an elementary teacher. Youth and adult volunteers support the program. If you’re a parent looking to sign up your child for Energy Express, contact your local WVU Extension office. Energy Express is offered in various counties at select locations. Extension offices: https://extension.wvu.edu/offices Opportunities with Energy Express The best gift that you can give to Energy Express is the gift of your time. Energy Express needs college students interested in serving through AmeriCorps, educators looking for summer employment, and volunteers willing to read to children or perform other tasks. Community organizations can also sponsor an Energy Express site. Learn more here: https://extension.wvu.edu/youth-family/youth-education/energy-express/get-involved