Energy Express

07/17/2025

As we keep sorting through last week’s photos, we had to share these amazing shots from the Pendleton County Energy Express page! 💛

They truly capture the spirit of Homeplace Week—colorful, creative, and full of that warm sense of belonging. The kids are all smiles, and the big art pieces are just amazing!

Thank you, Pendleton, for sharing such great moments. Let’s keep the energy going! 🏡✨

07/16/2025

🌟 Big news for West Virginia! 🌟

A recent national report highlights West Virginia as one of just four states showing steady annual gains in 3rd-grade literacy. This is exciting progress and shows that change is not only possible—it’s happening across our state.

At Energy Express, we believe mentorship matters. Research shows that 85% of young people with a mentor say that their relationship has helped them with school and education (Annie E. Casey Foundation). That’s a powerful reminder of what trusted support can mean in a child’s life.

While many factors contribute to literacy growth, we believe the caring, consistent presence of mentors—whether through AmeriCorps or other programs—helps create the kind of learning environment where children can thrive. We’re proud to be part of the movement!

We’re proud to be part of this progress. Let’s keep showing up, speaking up, and reaching higher—for every child. 💛📚💙

📊 Learn more:
Dynamic Districts Report – Upswing Labs: http://bit.ly/4lwsJdm
Spotlight on Youth Mentoring – Annie E. Casey Foundation: http://bit.ly/3Iq17Ig

07/16/2025

🔁 Shout-out to our Mineral County Energy Express site at Frankfort Middle School! Delegate Rick Hillenbrand stopped by to talk about the branches of government and his role as a state legislator. We’re so proud of the work happening at our sites across West Virginia. Thanks for representing Energy Express so well! 💛📚

⭐️Big thanks to Rick Hillenbrand, a member of the WV House of Delegates. He came to visit Frankfort Middle School last week! He talked to us about the branches of government and what he does as a state politician. We were so HAPPY to have him come see everything we have worked on!

07/15/2025

When you give to the community, the community gives back in powerful ways. 💛📚

At Energy Express, it’s our volunteers who bring the magic. From reading buddies to art helpers to lunchtime laughs, you make each site feel like home.

We see you, and we hope to see you again. Whether that’s tomorrow, next summer, or someday as an AmeriCorps member!

Here, we’re feeding generations a love for learning, a joy in giving back, and a sense of belonging that stays with us all.

Thank you for showing up and showing out. We couldn’t do it without you.

07/14/2025

🏘️ Happy COMMUNITY Week at Energy Express! 💛🌿

This week, we’re celebrating what it means to be part of a community! Community means being surrounded by people who care, places that matter, and moments that bring us closer. Whether it's a neighborhood, a classroom, or a shared experience, community helps us grow.

Take-home books for the week:
🎨 "Maybe Something Beautiful" by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell (younger readers). A vibrant story about how art and connection can brighten a neighborhood.
🕊️ "Mr. Lincoln’s Way" by Patricia Polacco (older readers). A meaningful story about empathy, understanding, and the difference one caring adult can make.

We are especially excited to see creativity shine this week!🎭 From murals and kindness projects to performances of our stories, there is so much to look forward to. During state training, our Energy Express teams brought "Maybe Something Beautiful" to life through readers' theatre! We hope to see that same energy at our sites!

Help us grow a community where children feel rooted in belonging.🌎

07/12/2025

What makes a community? 🏡

At Energy Express, we believe it’s the people who show up—mentors, guest readers, and volunteers—who create the supportive, inspiring spaces our children need to thrive. 💛

Each summer, our participants experience firsthand how strong, caring communities can shape their growth and success across the Mountain State. 🌄

Photo:📍 Wood County, Martin Elementary Site

07/12/2025

Summer learning loss is a real concern for many children, but there's good news! The latest issue of the West Virginia Early Childhood Provider Quarterly Magazine by West Virginia Early Childhood Training Connections and Resources dives into how high quality summer programs can be a powerful tool to support learning gaps and set students up for success in the upcoming school year. Energy Express programming is featured! Read the full article in the WV Early Childhood Provider Quarterly Magazine.

07/11/2025

➡️ According to a national report*, West Virginia is among the few states growing early literacy by at least 3 - 4% over the past three years. LETRS was cited as a successful approach. 🌟 Teachers, this is a great opportunity! Sign up today!

🚨 Calling all K–3 educators and administrators 🚨

Registration for Group 2 of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) closes on August 10. Now is the time to join hundreds of your West Virginia colleagues on the journey to deepen your understanding of the Science of Reading through LETRS.

Register today 👉 https://bit.ly/49AlxHV.

07/11/2025

“Be the community you want to see.” 💕🏠

Although there are many material benefits to being an AmeriCorps member with Energy Express, there’s also the chance to align your personal goals and values with your summer activities. At Energy Express, you can find meaning and make personal connections being the fun, safe adult that the child you were or that someone you knew needed over the summer.

Energy Express is a place where children and AmeriCorps members themselves, can express their creativity without fear of judgment or coming in last.

07/10/2025

READ ALL ABOUT IT! 📰📖✨
Every part of the Energy Express day supports literacy growth, but one part truly stands out for meeting each child’s unique needs: one-on-one reading!

Thanks to our small groups and amazing daily volunteers, we’re able to offer personalized reading sessions every single day of the program. The children choose their book and how they want to read it, making it engaging, effective, and proven to support learning.

Bonus: our youth volunteers grow as readers, too! 💛

07/09/2025

West Virginia has made modest progress in overall child well-being, but many students across the state are still falling short of key academic benchmarks.

We know that a strong, supportive education builds the foundation for a brighter future. At Energy Express, we work alongside future and current educators, operate under community-driven programs like AmeriCorps and WVU Extension, and collaborate with local organizations to make meaningful, lasting change for our rising 1st through 6th graders, AmeriCorps members, and committed volunteers.

Keep sharing the Energy Express story.
There’s a reason we’ve been around this long — and it’s because this work matters. Let us help your children reach their full potential.💛📖💙

📊 For more on the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, visit:
https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/Aecf-2025kidscountdatabook.pdf

07/09/2025

🌟 Calling all K–3 educators and administrators 🌟 This is a great opportunity!

🚨 Calling all K–3 educators and administrators 🚨

Registration for Group 2 of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) closes on August 10. Now is the time to join hundreds of your West Virginia colleagues on the journey to deepen your understanding of the Science of Reading through LETRS.

Register today 👉 https://bit.ly/49AlxHV.