Helping people to just get by just isn’t enough—
At Mountain Equity Initiative, we explain in everyday language how government decisions have and can affect the health, safety, and opportunities of West Virginians—whether you’re middle class or facing hard times.
At Mountain Equity Initiative, we help West Virginians see how government policies—from healthcare to workplace rights—affect our everyday lives. We believe that understanding these rules, and how unfair systems hold us back as individuals and collectively, is the first step to real change. Instead of just getting by, we’re uniting our communities to challenge and transform these harmful policies, so every West Virginian can have a fair shot at a better life.
Empowering West Virginians
by giving them the tools to recognize and fight back against policies that hurt our health, rights, and future. Through clear education and real-life examples, we reveal how unfair systems—both old and new—have harmed our communities and kept us divided. Our mission is to inspire everyone to take action, speak out, and vote for a West Virginia that is fair, united, and just for all.
West Virginia has a long history
of powerful people and groups taking advantage of its people, leaving a legacy of unfair treatment and harm. This history of discrimination and abuse has led to serious problems in our communities—like poor healthcare access, high rates of drug addiction, suicide, teen pregnancies, and violence. Today, these issues persist because old and new systems limit our access to quality healthcare, education, and job opportunities, making it hard for many residents to live their healthiest and fullest lives.
Inequitable systems remain at the heart of our problems, not our neighbors.
“The opposite of love is not hate. It’s opposite is indifference.”
Elie Wiesel
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Nobel Laureate and Memory Keeper of the Holocaust
What are the biggest challenges facing West Virginians today?
West Virginians face big challenges like not having enough good healthcare, high rates of drug addiction, teen pregnancies, and violence. Many of these problems come from old, unfair systems that limit access to jobs, education, and safe communities. Powerful groups and harmful policies have made it hard for our people to thrive. At Mountain Equity Initiative, we believe that understanding these issues is the first step toward building a fairer future for everyone.
Why would people support policies that hurt them?
People support policies for a number of reasons. Many West Virginians may support policies that hurt them because they believe these changes won’t affect their lives or that someone else will step in to fix things. Others may be misled by promised or feel trapped by division and fear. Misinformation and old habits make it hard to know what really works in our favor. When we understand how these policies hurt our families and communities and that we actually have more in common than some would lead us to believe, we can actually work together to change them.
Mountain Equity Initiative works to provide clear, factual information on how policies actually impact individuals and communities, along with helpful tools to seek change.
Getting Involved
How can I support Mountain Equity Initiative’s work?
You can help by following us on social media, sharing our content, engaging in discussions, and encouraging others to learn about these issues.
Can I invite Mountain Equity Initiative to speak at my event or organization?
Yes! MEI is available for community presentations, discussions, and trainings. We are happy to work with local groups, schools, and organizations to help educate and engage the public. Contact us to learn more about scheduling an event.
Does Mountain Equity Initiative support a specific political party?
Mountain Equity Initiative does not support a specific political party. We create educational content that helps West Virginians understand how historical and current policies shape their lives. Through social media campaigns, public discussions, and community outreach, we provide information on health disparities, workplace discrimination, loss of social support systems, and other critical issues. Our work is focused on building a public that actively speaks out against harmful policies and makes informed voting decisions.