BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Since 2021, Bloom for Women has empowered survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation.
“We work with a population that really has limited support systems here and we’re one of the only providers of a two-year cost-free housing and starting over opportunity,” said Carol Andersen, Bloom for Women CEO.
On Thursday, the nonprofit held its 4th annual freedom benefit dinner at Lehigh University with a goal of raising $150,000.
“100% of tonight’s proceeds are going into really creating new opportunities for women who deserve a chance to start over,” Andersen stated.
Becca Stevens served as the night’s keynote speaker. Stevens started Nashville-based Thistle Farms.
“What we’re doing is giving people a fighting chance. The thistle network is the largest in the United States for human trafficking survivors for long-term free beds. There are over 800 beds, 80 communities. What Carol and Bloom are doing is just amazing here in Pennsylvania,” Stevens told 69 News.
“I think there’s a lot of misconceptions still. That you’re just driving down the road and you get taken by a van or something. Instead, all these childhood traumas that play into how women are so vulnerable and all of the systematic stuff that happens to people,” she added.
According to Andersen, Pennsylvania ranks between 9th and 11th in the nation for reported cases of human trafficking.
“We know it’s happening here, and we want to disrupt it in the Lehigh Valley and give women an opportunity to be free and choose a bright and beautiful future,” Andersen concluded.
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