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She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without
fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25
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Wind Creek Helps Bring Equine Therapy to Survivors | |
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A special thanks to Wind Creek for their grant support in the amount of $5,000 for equestrian therapeutic clinics for women survivors of sex trafficking. Bloom participants have had the opportunity to expand their healing journey through a partnership with Equilibrium, a local non-profit whose mission is to provide individuals the opportunity to reach their highest potential through the benefits of horse-related activities and therapies.
The women participated in an 8-week Unmounted Equine-Assisted Learning Services program that promotes the development of life skills and personal goals through equine-assisted activities. Working with equines provides opportunities to teach critical life skills such as trust, respect, honesty and communication. This program is conducted by a PATH professional, a social service professional and trained volunteers.
Survivors participate in such activities such as grooming, feeding, and leading a horse while being supervised by a mental health professional.
This equine therapy helps survivors learn how to develop a sense of trust through their interactions with the horse as they gain a sense of safety and build a relationship. This experience encourages clients to be vulnerable as they learn new things and interact with the horse. Thank you, Wind Creek!
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We're Hiring: Social Worker | |
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We are looking for a full-time MSW and/or LSW who is invested in the fight against human trafficking to provide cognitive behavioral therapy groups, individual counseling and develop personal empowerment plans for survivors. If interested, contact Lorna Clause.
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Bloom is able to offer this new position as a result of a grant received from Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation. Recently, we have been experiencing greater mental health care needs for our survivors. While our program utilizes community services, rather than duplicate services, it can often take several weeks to schedule appointments with professional clinicians. Our survivors come into our homes with several trauma and medical needs that require immediate attention. This full-time MSW and/or LSW will help us support our survivors and staff. Thank you Two Rivers!
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It takes a lot of resources to operate our four homes and ensure we are providing our survivors with what they need to heal and rebuild their lives. Currently, we are in need of:
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Volunteer(s) to take care of small repairs in our homes.
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A van to transport our survivors to group activities.
Call our office at 610-866-5755 or email us if you may be able to help.
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Our Events Committee is an active, energetic group of individuals planning awareness and fundraising events throughout the year for Bloom. If you are interested in helping on this committee, please contact our Director of Development, Vickie Nisbet.
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Bloom will celebrate three courageous women at our 2022 Graduation Ceremony. Bloom graduates, residents and friends are gathering at the Blast Furnace Room of SteelStacks on Sunday, September 18 from 2-4 p.m. to celebrate Jensen, Virginia and Natalie -- and their hard-earned completion of our two-year residential program.
There is no charge for this event, but if you would like to make a gift to Bloom and help pave the way to freedom for a future graduate, you may do so here.
Although there is no fee to attend, we ask that you register so we know you are coming!
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Regular Monthly Prayer Meetings
The sessions take place on Zoom from 7:00-8:00 p.m. the second Monday evening of the month: August 8, September 12, October 10, and so on.
If you would like to be added to the list to receive monthly reminders,
please email us.
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Would you consider becoming a monthly donor? Whether you give $10 per month or $50 per month please know that you are making a difference! Bloom's work, and the hope of the women we serve, is heavily dependent on the financial contributions of the community, foundations and sponsors. Visit our website today, by clicking the button below, for more information and secure online giving. | |
HAPPENING AROUND BLOOM... | |
Pop-Up Shops & Fashion Shows are Back! | |
Is your church or organization interested in hosting a fundraising event to benefit a great cause, one that happens to be a boat load of fun? Don’t be shy! Call My Sister’s Closet!
Summer Pop-up Shop season is here! We’ll pack up our beautiful women’s apparel, accessories, and jewelry, set up at your site, and you guys get to shop! Your members can even be the models in our fashion show!
My Sister’s Closet’s pop-up shops are an important supplemental source of funding for Bloom’s mission. They also provide a golden opportunity for us to get out into the community to spread awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking, and to tell people just what exactly our organization is doing to fight it.
Invite us to your community yard sale or church bazaar. We’d be tickled to set up shop at your town’s summer festival or Rotary event. Or, what would you think about getting a group of friends and/or coworkers together, and we’ll host YOU right here at My Sister’s Closet for a private shopping event? The possibilities are endless!
For information about scheduling a pop-up shop or private shopping event, please contact Rebekah Fritchman, My Sister’s Closet Store Manager, at 610-866-5715 or via email.
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$2 Rummage Sale
Happening Now!
While supplies last.
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Needed:
Summer Purse
Donations
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Sales Associate
We are looking for an extra person who is flexible to sub or work occasional weekends.
Contact Rebekah Fritchman if interested!
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Are you thinking you might want to get a little crafty but don’t want the mess at your home?
Solution: Come to our creative space at Bloom Creative Studio and begin exploring! You will be surprised how much we have to offer. Bring with you an Open Mind and a Will to unleash your creativity, you might surprise yourself and find a hidden talent or awaken a talent that has been resting. Our studio is full of art/craft materials, find a project on Pinterest and come to us, we will probably have the supplies you need and the mess stays here, Bonus!
At Bloom Creativity Studio you can Explore and Create with no pressure and no comparison, allow yourself the experience.
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We are always looking for volunteers who would like to share their skills and volunteer to teach a class at our studio. If you are interested, please contact the studio or come visit us so you can get a feel for our space and what is available.
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Shop with Us
Our Creative Studio is full of products handcrafted with love by many of our residents and also by some volunteers.
You can now also shop online at:
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As we welcome new survivors into our homes on a regular basis and are in constant need of restocking essential items for them, we have created an Amazon Wish List. The online list makes it easy for you to pick out items that our survivors need while staying in our homes and have them sent directly to Bloom. All donations are greatly appreciated. We ask that when you make a donation to please include your name in a gift message so that we can properly thank you for your donations. | |  |
Do you frequently shop on Amazon? Why not make a difference with each of your purchases? Simply choose "Bloom for Women, Inc." as your organization of choice on Amazon Smile and a portion of all purchases will be donated to Bloom. | | |
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Bloom is a faith-based non-profit organization with the mission of providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ women survivors of sex trafficking. As part of its mission, Bloom offers emergency response, a two-year residential program, and an independent living program in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. Bloom follows the model and is a sister community of the remarkably successful Thistle Farms Nashville program. In addition, the Bloom Creative Studio, located in Bangor, Pa., is a social enterprise to leverage art as a healing tool and provide employment opportunities for survivors. Bloom also has a women’s upscale, resale boutique, My Sister’s Closet, based in Bethlehem, Pa., providing employment opportunities for survivors and financial support for the organization.
Bloom
1425 Mountain Drive North
Bethlehem, PA 18015
610-866-5755
info@bloomforwomen.org
www.bloomforwomen.org
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