MAKE A DIFFERENCE with children’s literacy over the Summer and EARN $5,185 through college education award and living allowance
Help bridge the summer literacy gap for children and earn money for college by serving as an AmeriCorps* member with Energy Express. The need is greater than ever to maintain children’s reading skills over the summer, to build a child’s interpersonal skills, and to motivate them through a fun, positive learning environment.
2024 Energy Express Program Dates: June 5th – July 26th, 2024.
Statewide Training: June 5 and 6
Children on Site – June 17 - July 26
- Serve 2 years and receive a semester of college tuition covered in West Virginia.
- Gaining critical life and management skills for all Career Fields
- Service with the National AmeriCorps* program
- Site Locations in Keyser and Frankfort areas, and statewide.
Mineral County INTERVIEWS ARE PLANNED for Saturday, January 27. The AMERICORPS application is available as of November 1st.
You must submit your AmeriCorps application prior to being scheduled for an interview. Those interested in serving as mentors or community coordinators must be 18 years of age by June 5 to apply and be fully available for 7.5 weeks between June 5 and July 26.
Please use the QR Code to receive information about submitting the AmeriCorps application and the link to the application.
Questions about the Program and Application Process?
Contact:
Sophie Lord, MCFRN and WVU PSC Student, sclord474@gmail.com
WVU Mineral County Extension Office 304-788-3621
Margaret Miltenberger, m.miltenberger@mail.wvu.edu
Contact for scheduling interviews with Mineral County:
Mineral County Family Resource Network
Autumn Beavers, mcfrnofficeassist@gmail.com
Energy Express is an award-winning, a six-week summer reading and nutrition program. The summer program helps children entering 1st through 3rd grades overcome the ‘summer slide’ that occurs when youths fall behind academically, while also providing nutritious meals.
“Mentors this summer will benefit from being a part of the program by being able to build connections with children and with other mentors,” says Katlyn Middleton Fair, 2023 Site Supervisor. “ They will be a part of a close-knit team and be exposed to a professional setting, that fosters a fun and creative environment.”
“Serving as an AmeriCorps* member is a solid summer experience in preparation for a professional job,” says Margaret Miltenberger, WVU Extension Service, 4-H Extension Agent. “It helps to prepare you for organization, planning, teamwork and professionalism whether you plan to work as a teacher or in another career field.”
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 named the Energy Express program one of the nation’s best summer learning programs.
AmeriCorps Member Responsibilities:
College Student Mentors create an enriching environment focused on reading, writing, and art that makes learning fun for a small group of eight, school-age children. Mentors eats breakfast and lunch with the children--a valuable time to develop strong bonds with the children.
Community Coordinators connects the parents and community to the site by recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers to read with children.
Both positions participate in statewide and local training to prepare for supporting children’s literacy development. At the end of each day, the site team (mentors, community coordinators and site supervisor) meet to reflect, train and prepare for the next day. Site teams also complete a community service project.
The Energy Express program in Mineral County is coordinated by the Mineral County Energy Express Collaborative which includes the WVU Extension Service, Mineral County Schools, the Mineral County Family Resource work, community partners and volunteers.