“My Little Flower Boutique” Buds from Bloom for Women’s Unique Mother and Baby Care Program

Bloom is Blooming

“My Little Flower Boutique” Buds from Bloom for Women’s

Unique Mother and Baby Care Program

Bethlehem, Pa., May 12, 2023 — Bloom for Women, Inc., Lehigh Valley-based nonprofit offering housing and resources to women survivors of sex trafficking, is pleased to announce the opening of the Mountain Laurel House, fashioned specifically for mothers, and new social enterprise My Little Flower Boutique,

As part of its mission, Bloom operates five homes in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania to help women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation throughout their journey – helping them to start over, begin to heal, and providing services for transitioning to a better life.

Mountain Laurel House, is uniquely set up to house pregnant survivors of sex trafficking, exploitation and addiction. Through Bloom’s two-year residential program mothers (mothers of one child under three years old) have a safe space to heal, deliver and care for their baby. The Mountain Laurel House is located in Allentown and fully funded by donor and volunteer services.

“The opening of the Mountain Laurel House marks an important milestone for our organization, as we are now able to provide specialized services to pregnant survivors. Typically when a victim finds out she is pregnant, she will search for an exit. These women need a place to go. The Mountain Laurel House provides this safe space,” says Carol Andersen, CEO, Bloom.

One of Bloom for Women’s two social enterprises – My Sister’s Closet – is launching its “My Little Flower Boutique” on Mother’s Day weekend (May 12-14) as part of its Bethlehem location to offer maternity and baby clothing (preemie – 18 months) to support the women survivors in the new home and also mothers in our community. The vision is to one day open a storefront that will continue to help mothers in need and employ more survivors at Bloom.

Bloom’s new Lehigh Valley Program Office, located at 532 Hamilton Street, will give the Bloom staff a home base in Allentown to support participants who are transitioning back into the community as well as the ability to collaborate closely with county and federal agencies whose offices are within walking distance. This includes the Lehigh County Human Trafficking Task Force, established by the Lehigh County DAs office in early 2022. The Task Force is a multi-agency that includes homeland security, FBI, local and regional law enforcement, as well as non-profits.

“As funding becomes available, we hope to expand programming in Lehigh County to include therapeutic groups inside the prison to prepare women for re-entry and assess their interest in our long-term restorative residential program,” says Andersen. “Women are incredibly strong and resilient. Bloom uses a trauma-informed approach to care, rather than staff putting on the hero’s cape. We walk alongside these women as they gain their voice and chart their own paths. These women are the heroes of their own stories,”

Special thanks to the generosity of Olav and Gina Sandnes, the underwriters of the Bloom fundraising Justice Revival dinner in September 2022 kicking off Bloom’s “Welcome Home” campaign, In addition, the following companies made significant donations to the Mountain Laurel House:

Air Products made a significant financial donation for house programming and the living room
Allentown Appliance donated the washer and dryer
American Fence & Flag, Inc. donated fencing and the installation around the front porch
Erwin Forrest Builders donated materials for the kitchen
Lezzer Lumber donated materials for the kitchen
Wellborn Cabinetry donated materials for the kitchen

Also, thanks to the interior designers who volunteered their time, talent and resources:

Margaret Pook Interior Design LLC (Margaret Pook, Mountain Laurel House Project Manager)
Beautiful Home (Sarah Perrotta)
Carol Livingston
Erwin Forrest Builders (Lauren Villano, Designer)
Mairin Egge
Sharon Kimmerle Interior Design (Sharon Kimmerle)
SJ Interiors (Shweta Jajodia)
Stonewood Interiors (Donna Wood)
Swine Design (Ashley Hayes)
WCA Interiors (Wandra Cain)
Willys Pe-set Design (Willy Byrd)

To learn more about Bloom’s leadership, mission, and giving opportunities, please visit www.bloomforwomen.org or follow on social media @BloomforWomenPA.

About Bloom for Women

Bloom for Women, Inc. 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 and sexual exploitation. As part of its mission, Bloom offers emergency response, a two-year residential program, pregnant survivor services, 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 for survivors, community volunteer opportunities, and financial support for the organization.

Information provided to TVL by:
–ts PR & Event Planning
www.tseventplanning.com