“ As people across the nation better understand the importance of building back our rural communities in a sustainable way , we know that Mountain Mindful and other similar organizations will see this sort of continued expansion and success ,” says Jacob Hannah , CEO of Coalfield Development . “ When people who face barriers to employment , such as those suffering from substance use disorders or those who have lost jobs due to the contracting coal industry , can be paid to be retrained to produce sustainable products , we are building a more stable economic foundation for all of us .”
Leslie Norris , director of Mountain Mindful , says the organization is so much more than the products it offers .
“ This is about both the wellbeing and growth of our great team members that make these sustainable products and giving those who purchase these products an easy way to be a part of that sustainability through the purchase of products that have much less negative impact on the environment than products purchased from big-box stores .”
Both Hannah and Norris stress that even with this increased production , Mountain Mindful still has the capacity to produce casual apparel such as t-shirts , hoodies and handmade furnishings for a home and office and self-care products such as soaps , lotions and teas .
Coalfield Development ’ s Mountain Mindful program is made possible in part through funding from the ACT Now Coalition . Funded by the U . S . EDA ’ s Build Back Better Regional Challenge , the ACT Now Coalition is investing
nearly $ 100 million into 21 Southern West Virginia counties , with $ 62.8 million in grant funds and an additional $ 26 million in private matching funds . This investment targets a “ climate technology cluster ,” focusing on clean energy , sustainable mine reclamation , renewables , eco-friendly manufacturing and environmental entrepreneurship .
Concord University Receives Donation from Truist Foundation
Representatives from the Truist Foundation have presented Concord University with a donation of $ 7,500 in support of the Pathways Retention Scholarship Fund . This fund awards 50 $ 2,000 scholarships each year to West Virginia residents facing financial need that could force them to withdraw from Concord .
Truist ’ s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities by partnering with nonprofit organizations to help them innovate and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve .
“ On behalf of Concord University and our students , I extend our deepest gratitude to Truist for their generous donation to the Pathways Retention Scholarship Fund ,” says Anna Hardy , chief student affairs officer and dean of students . “ This donation plays a crucial role in helping our students continue their education and achieve their academic goals . I would like to thank Truist for making a significant difference in the lives of our students and our community .” •
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