NEWS FROM BLOOM...
Happy Summer!
June is a month for parties – from weddings to graduations and outdoor gatherings with family and friends to celebrate love and acknowledge academic achievements. Recently, Bloom hosted a very special party for several courageous women survivors who graduated our two-year residential program. Each of them persevered through unique challenges and are rebuilding their futures filled with beauty, hope and meaning. 

Just as exciting as love and achievement – we are also celebrating the opening of our newest (and 4th) home for women survivors – LILY HOUSE!

Lily House was purchased on June 1st as a result of a very generous donation. This three bedroom home will be a place of hope and healing for survivors who have completed our 90-day stabilization program at Heather House (formerly Truth Home). Several volunteers have already started making the space beautiful with fresh paint on the walls, window blinds installed and nearly all of the furnishings in place. But….we still need more help to make it a home. 

Thank you to those of you who saw our social media post that included our Amazon Wish List for Lily House – the coffee pot is on the counter, dishes in the cabinets, towels are in the bathroom and sheets are on the beds! THANK YOU FOR BEING SO GENEROUS!

For those of you who still want to help – here is what we need:

  • A kitchen island or cart that can double as storage and additional counterspace
  • 2 laundry baskets
  • 3 pillows
  • Washing machine
  • 2 nightstands
  • 2 bedroom chairs (not oversized)
  • Television
  • Front porch chairs & table (space is 10x6)
  • 3-5 backyard chairs
  • 2 large garbage cans
  • Dehumidifier for the basement
  • 4 small window unit air conditioners

Our dream is to convert the 3rd floor into useable space. It needs some minor wall repair as well as a fresh coat of paint on the walls and wood flooring. A bigger project is to add electric and a heating and air conditioning source. If you have a group who would like to adopt this as a fundraiser and/or service project, we would like to hear from you!

Last week we welcomed our newest Bloom “sister” into her new home. As we shared our own starting over stories to welcome her, she shared hers and when we asked her how we could help her she said, “help me learn how to love me”. 

YOUR gifts of time, talent and treasure demonstrate this love to our newest Bloom sister! She will learn how to love herself as we continue to love and support her healing journey.
 
Thank you again for your prayers, financial support, donations of clothing for My Sister’s Closet and countless volunteer hours that help women survivors of sex trafficking find safety, healing and hope. YOU make all this possible!

Fighting for freedom with you,

Carol 

Carol Andersen, CEO
EVENTS...
2021 Cornhole Tournament
Save the Date for the 2021 Cornhole Tournament
and Fundraiser:

Date: October 23, 2021

Location: Spring Mountain Grove
Host an Event
Bloom hosts events throughout the year to raise awareness of sex trafficking and fundraise to support our mission. If you are interested in sponsoring an event, please visit our events page or contact us.

You are also welcome to host your own event whether to raise awareness within your community and/or as a fundraiser. And, our team is here to help in planning your event. Some ideas include the following, but we are open to your creative ideas as well!

  • Host an event with your friends and colleagues to learn more about sex trafficking in the Lehigh Valley. We will gladly provide a speaker.
  • Support a drive to provide essential items and/or gift cards for survivors or clothing and accessories for My Sister’s Closet.
  • Sponsor a spa day for one survivor.
  • Invite our CEO to speak at your church or organization to learn more about sex trafficking in our community.

If you would like to learn more or discuss potential ideas for an event, please contact us via email.
HOW YOU CAN HELP...
Our work, and the hope of the women we serve, is heavily dependent on the financial contributions of the community, foundations, and sponsors. Please consider supporting Bloom with your tax-deductible gift.

In addition to one-time donations, we also offer four monthly giving options:

  • $29/Month - Wellness: Welcome Basket and Recreation
  • $59/Month - Safety: Group Counseling, Secure Housing, Medical, and Dental
  • $89/Month - Healing: Trauma-informed Staff, One-to-One Counseling
  • $150/Month: A Night of Sanctuary
HAPPENING AROUND BLOOM...
My Sister's Closet
Donations:
Summer donations are still being accepted until August 21.

Facebook Live Events
Next Facebook Live events will be July 14 and July 28 at 9 a.m.
Welcome Summer Sale
June 21-26
15% off your total purchase
(excludes: Thistle Farms and gift certificate purchases)
Help Wanted
We are looking for a part-time sales associate. Please email Michelle Orr or call 610-866-5715. The position would begin in July.
Bloom Creative Studio

Our studio and gift shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 11-5 and other hours by appointment. 

We have “Art Heals” and Bloom t-shirts and hoodies, gift items and a workshop space that is open and ready to help guests create something unique and beautiful! 

We can also host special events, celebrations and private workshops. 

Please call the studio at 610 588 4775 to learn more.  
MISCELLANEOUS...
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.
Do you frequently shop on Amazon? Why not make a difference with each of your purchases? Simply choose "Truth For Women" (we are working to update this to Bloom) as your organization of choice on Amazon Smile and a portion of all purchases will be donated to Bloom.
ABOUT BLOOM
Bloom is a 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 operates a 24-hour care emergency stabilization home, a two-year residential program, and an independent living transitional home in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. 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., provides financial support for the organization. 

Bloom
3400 Bath Pike, Suite 103
Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-866-5755
info@bloomforwomen.org