Our Crowdfunding Groups
We have exceeded our initial crowdfunding campaign goal! If you haven't donated yet but would like to, we are still accepting donations and now hope to reach $1,500 raised! Your gift will allow us to help provide additional supplies to Mullens, WV and fund future trips. Thank you!
We are Duquesne University students and we are looking forward to spending our spring break in Mullens, West Virginia as part of Duquesne’s Cross-Cultural Mission Experience. Duquesne University has a long-standing relationship with the Appalachian communities of West Virginia, and this will be the 30th year a student group volunteers there.
Mullens is a small coal mining town in southern West Virginia. Rich in history and pride, the community struggles with severe poverty. By working directly with the Mullen’s Opportunity Center (MOC), students work closely with community leaders on unique projects and to provided resources.
Our goal is to provide resources deemed necessary by the community and to connect with the members of the community by spending time with them. We will face the harsh winter with determination, and we are grateful to our hosts for the opportunity to serve and learn about this area of the country.
With the decline of coal, community leaders have expressed a need for alternative economic initiatives, and have begun to explore the agricultural industry. Three years ago, Duquesne students and supporters helped finance and build a high-tunnel greenhouse at the MOC and have since helped with planting and maintenance. The greenhouse is extremely successful, and has resulted in a fresh produce market for the community throughout the summer months.
The community has recently begun an initiative to increase tourism. This includes the start of a railroad museum, rental cabins, and stream beatification. This year, we will be assisting with these initiatives while continuing to help with the high-tunnel greenhouse.
Please consider donating money to our cause to help provide the supplies for community agricultural and tourism projects as well as food to the food pantry. We also ask that you please share this page with people you think would be interested in our project. Thank you for your support and check back often for updates!
