I'm a member of Ohio Valley Mutual Aid, based in Wheeling WV. The city announced several weeks ago that the city's one legal homeless encampment would be closed on December 1st. That weekend, OVMA tried to both postpone the closure and help our unhoused neighbors prepare for it. The evening of Dec 1st, we were told that the city was delaying the closure, so we went to the camp to tell people. Later, we found out that information was wrong. The next morning, members went back to the camp to try to help people move their stuff before the bulldozers came. My friend was arrested for warning the residents of the camp. She's out now. We're raising money for her legal fees if folks can help.
OVMA has been around for about a year. We started with community events, cooking together, and gender-affirming clothing swaps. In June 2025, we responded to a devastating flash flood that killed 9 people and damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes. We also help local people with bills to keep light and water on or pay rent.
We'd appreciate any support:
If you're in the local area, sign up for our upcoming DIY Space Heater workshop. Coming to a public event is the best way to join our group!
Follow us on FB and Insta and share our posts
Donate! If you want it to go for legal fees put "legal" in note or put a "⛺" for unhoused outreach and support or leave it blank to let us use it however!
THANK YOU
