Niamh Coomey 5/22/26 Niamh Coomey 5/22/26

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”: What is Mutual Aid?

Mustard Seed Mountain’s editor sat down for an interview with Ohio Valley Mutual Aid (OVMA) volunteer and organizer Libby Horacek to discuss mutual aid: what it is, what it entails, and how you can get involved.

Niamh Coomey 5/21/26 Niamh Coomey 5/21/26

The Camp Closure — What’s Next?

It is nearly six months since Wheeling closed its exempted homeless camp in freezing December temperatures, displacing around sixty individuals.

Some former camp residents are now in permanent housing, but many more are staying in abandoned buildings and local shelters. For certain groups, there is still not a clear path forward.

Melissa Rebholz 5/20/26 Melissa Rebholz 5/20/26

I’m A Chef and I’m Sober

I have been a Chef for almost 20 years and have worked in the restaurant/hospitality industry for 31 years. The industry is notoriously known for its “work hard, play hard” philosophy. The shifts are generally long as well as physically and mentally demanding. A lot of workers turn to substances when the shift ends to try and decompress and numb the anxiety, including myself.

Ashlie Howard 5/20/26 Ashlie Howard 5/20/26

Actually Ashlie: Actually, Fun Doesn’t Have to Lead to Regret

For a long time, I thought fun and substances were basically the same thing. Not exactly—but close enough that I didn’t question it.

Celebrations meant using. Stress meant using. Boredom meant using. Even happiness somehow circled back to it. I told myself I was having fun. And sometimes, even in the moment, it felt that way. But the part I didn’t talk about—the part that mattered more—was what came the next morning

Staff 10/15/24 Staff 10/15/24

“From the jailhouse to the White House”

The White House Historical Association recently opened a new, cutting-edge education experience in Washington, D.C., a first-of-its-kind, immersive center telling the story of the Executive Mansion, its inhabitants, and the people who have dedicated their careers to its functions.

Douglas Harding 10/11/24 Douglas Harding 10/11/24

Community leaders advocate for expanding public transportation

“Like in most cities, transportation is part of the heart of our city."

Ashlie Howard 3/18/24 Ashlie Howard 3/18/24

A Learning Experience

“I started to learn that my addiction was just a symptom of a much deeper problem. I didn’t realize how sick I was until I finally got away from all of the sickness—and I would have never gotten away from all of the sickness on my own.”

Douglas Harding 3/18/24 Douglas Harding 3/18/24

Vendor Spotlight : Timothy Harriman

Timothy Harriman is the kind of person I can listen to for hours, giving full attention—in fact, I have. But storytelling is only one of Timothy’s many talents and passions.

Staff 3/18/24 Staff 3/18/24

Mountain Movers: Q&A with Rod Lee

If you don’t involve yourself with poor people, with people of color—if you live in that secluded subculture that doesn’t interact with these other cultures—then you just don’t understand.

Ashlie Howard 3/18/24 Ashlie Howard 3/18/24

Toxic Stress Response

In the early 2000s, the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child coined the term “toxic stress,” explaining how ACEs trigger biological reactions from the excessive activation of stress response systems on a child’s developing brain, as well as the immune system, metabolic regulatory systems, and the cardiovascular system. Toxic stress from ongoing, high doses of adversity can become embedded in a person’s traits and behaviors.

Ashlie Howard 3/18/24 Ashlie Howard 3/18/24

ACEs High

In the mid-1990s, there was a landmark study conducted by the Center for Disease Control that revealed that 12.5% of individuals who experienced four or more ACEs before their 18th birthday had a 390% increased risk of COPD, a 240% increased risk of hepatitis, a 460% increased risk of depression, and a shocking 1,220% increased risk of suicide.

Amanda Cummins 3/15/24 Amanda Cummins 3/15/24

Understanding the Importance of Social Determinants of Health

A short account of how I continue to learn about health disparities and strive for better practice.

Staff 3/15/24 Staff 3/15/24

Street Stickies: What is love?

Although we love a good book, sometimes, a short message is what we need. Language is magic in the sense that just a few words or sentences can move us. Each issue, we pose a different question to our community and ask for answers written on sticky notes. These words of wisdom can be seen strewn throughout the paper!