Energy Express is an award-winning summer reading program. Through a combination of healthy breakfasts, lunches, and learning activities, the Energy Express program will improve the lives of children in Pendleton County.
Pendleton County Energy Express hosted an open house June 11 at Franklin Elementary School for members of the community.
This year’s program began June 16 and runs to July 25. College students and community residents serving as AmeriCorps members will be supporting the program. Forty children from Pendleton County are participating in the summer program, which is brought to counties by West Virginia University Extension Service and AmeriCorps.
The program is designed to provide learning opportunities and nutrition during the summer months when children from low-income areas are most at risk for falling into the “summer slide.”
The summer slide occurs when children fall behind academically because they do not build or maintain their reading skills throughout the summer months.
“Our children, mentors, and volunteers will work hard throughout these summer months, but they also have fun and take pride in what they do,” said Brooke Alt, of the Pendleton County Energy Express program. “They look forward to sharing their art and writing with their community leaders, neighbors, friends, and family.”
In addition to these state partners, county programs rely on a tremendous amount of local support. The local partners include Pendleton County Schools, Pendleton County Family Support Center, Franklin Ruritan Club, Jeff and Teresa Munn, Greer Lime, Yokum’s Vacationland, Pendleton County Library and Experience Learning.
Volunteers are needed to help read to children, serve meals, and donate supplies. Organizers state that children benefit from having familiar community faces at the program sites.
Children spend their days in a print-rich environment where they read, write, and create artwork. The benefits of Energy Express extend beyond the six weeks of summer. Each week every child receives a book to take home and keep.
Major funding for Energy Express comes from the WVU Extension Service, Volunteer WV – The State’s Commission for National and Community Service, and the Summer Food Service Program through the West Virginia Department of Education.
Entering its 30th year, Energy Express is one of WVU Extension Service’s premier programs, uniting children and community members to make summer a time for nutrition, fun, learning, and for people in need.
For more information, to volunteer, or to donate supplies or money for the program, call Alt at 304-358-2286 or Franklin Elementary School at 304-358-2206.
