"Our Energy Express mentors and volunteers truly make a difference in the lives of children in communities throughout West Virginia. With more than 80 sites , we provide an environment that promotes summer learning, builds lasting relationships and ensures that the daily nutritional needs of our children are met.," said Andrea Price, WVU Extension Service Energy Express program director. "All of this would not be possible without AmeriCorps. In the eyes of the children we serve, these AmeriCorps mentors are superheroes."
Energy Express, offered through West Virginia University Extension Service, is the largest summer AmeriCorps program in the nation, with over 500 AmeriCorps volunteers serving as mentors. In exchange for a summer of service, AmeriCorps volunteers receive a living allowance and Segal Education Award to pay for college or payback student loans.
Through Energy Express, children gain or maintain reading levels during summer months through creative, colorful, and captivating uses of art, drama and vocabulary. The program also provides children with two nutritious meals each day during the program, helping to ensure West Virginia youth are fed, even after the school year comes to an end.
AmeriCorps volunteers with Energy Express will be sworn in to a summer of service in Charleston at St. Alban’s High School on Monday, June 10th at 4:15 p.m., and in Morgantown at University High School on Tuesday, June 11th at 4:15 p.m. Guest speakers will include Associate Superintendent of the West Virginia Department of Education, Secretary Clayton Burch.
Energy Express is made possible with support from West Virginia University, West Virginia University Extension Services, the West Virginia Department of Education, the Appalachian Regional Commission, various Community Foundations and Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s commission for national and community service. Volunteer West Virginia awards funding for operation of the state’s AmeriCorps programs which mobilize more than 1,100 AmeriCorps volunteers each year throughout the state. For more information
click here or call 304-293-3855.