17.05.12
The community, approximately 11 miles from the MU campus, has a significantly lower income level compared to the national average and a higher percentage of residents and families living near or below the poverty level, according to data provided by the 2000 U.S. Census.
Community services in the small rural community of approximately 1,630 have been stretched by governmental budget cuts and recent flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee that did severe damage to the local roads and infrastructure.
Student volunteers are providing much-needed assistance to a variety of organizations and populations in their neighboring community.
Spearheading and coordinating the effort is Misericordia student Chelsea Mixon, a social work major from Bethlehem, who has undertaken the Noxen project as part of an internship with the Social Work Department.
Just a few weeks into the academic semester, Mixon immediately stepped in and helped coordinate student volunteers who assisted with flood clean-up efforts at dozens of homes in the community following Tropical Storm Lee.
Source: Wilkes Barre Times-Leader