our mission
Providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
our vision
A lifelong community of hope, healing and freedom.
our faith
Bloom is a faith-based organization rooted in the Christian tradition.
Survivors do not have to be Christian or become Christian to take advantage of Bloom’s services and the services or quality of care that a survivor receives does not depend on spiritual beliefs.
We provide a pathway to faith for those who choose.
Bloom believes that faith and a spiritual life can be part of the healing process. Bloom is guided by, and acts upon the values and principles that are the bedrock of our Christian beliefs. We offer unconditional love. We believe that every individual is unique and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our purpose is to serve others with empathy and compassion and without judgement. We strive for justice and equality for all.
our organization
In early 2021, two non-profit organizations (Truth For Women and Bloom Bangor), both dedicated to empowering survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Lehigh Valley, came together as one (Bloom for Women) to become a stronger force in the fight against sex trafficking in our community.
Together as one, Bloom offers sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. As a faith-based non-profit, Bloom empowers survivors to heal and create a new future through its emergency response, its two-year residential program, pregnant and parenting services and its independent living housing.
Bloom follows the model of the remarkably successful Thistle Farms program in Nashville, Tenn. and is part of the Thistle Farms National Network of sister communities, joining almost 60 other sister agencies across the U.S. Bloom is also a member of the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance, which is a network of providers serving survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Truth for Women’s History:
Truth for Women was originally founded in 1999 to cultivate a spiritually healthy community by building a vibrant network of women from every social, economic, and denominational background who would share strengths, resources, and information that would help women understand and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. Volunteer and community leader, Sally Hall, galvanized these dedicated women and resources from many churches in the Lehigh Valley to launch what was originally The Women’s Center.
Incorporated in 2004, Truth for Women offered three distinct services: networking, a women’s center, and a resale boutique. The strong network continued to grow to include support from a large number of collaborative organizations, as well as individuals, who come together to share strengths, resources, and information to fulfill our mission of providing sanctuary and emergency stabilization to survivors of sex trafficking.
This network helped Truth For Women to support The Women’s Center of the Lehigh Valley that opened to provide a resource and safe haven where women would be treated with honor and respect and would offer them help, hope, and healing. This facility, The Heather House (formerly known as the Truth Home), continues to offer a safe haven for women and provides care for sexually exploited women. The upscale resale boutique, My Sister’s Closet, first opened its doors in 2008 to help fund the ministries of Truth for Women and continues to be a source for funding for Bloom and employment opportunities for our survivors.
Bloom Bangor’s History:
Launched in 2016, Bloom was modeled after the successful Thistle Farms Nashville program that was founded in 1997. The programs were designed not just to help a subculture of women, but to help change the culture itself. The organizations stand in solidarity with women who are recovering from sexual abuse, violence and life on the streets, and who have paid dearly for a culture that buys and sells women like commodities.
Bloom Bangor, which is now named the Jasmine House, is a two-year residential housing program with a community-based motto of “love heals” and named after the first woman graduate. Bloom Bangor helps residents to live honest, sober and self-sufficient lives and provides them with educational and vocational opportunities. Bloom fosters self-understanding through personal and spiritual growth counseling; life-skills building and maintenance education; access to medical and dental care; opportunities to work toward economic self-sufficiency through Bloom Creative Studio and other business partners.
Bloom Bangor’s programs advocate living gracefully in community with one another. New residents are given a key and are offered the necessary resources to maintain recovery, heal from childhood wounds, become physically healthy and find employment. Residents, graduates, staff and volunteers share daily tasks, offer hospitality, build upon each other’s strengths, and provide compassionate, disciplined support.
Building the Bridge for Hope
“Building the Bridge for Hope” is a deeply personal reflection by Bloom CEO Carol Andersen on her friendship with a woman named “Hope”, whose life was marked by cycles of trafficking, addiction, and incarceration. Through Hope’s story, Carol shares how witnessing the gaps in systems meant to help survivors inspired her to create Bloom-offering long-term, trauma-informed housing, community and care. The article is both a tribute to Hope and a call to action for systematic change so that every survivor has the chance to heal, rebuild and thrive.
our homes
As part of our 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, to begin to heal and providing them with the hope to transition to a better life.
The Heather and Jasmine Houses are two-year residential programs for women survivors of sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and addiction. These homes provide structure and support to heal, empower and employ women survivors through safe housing, trauma-informed programming, partnerships with treatment providers, vocational and educational training, and ongoing connections with a growing community of supporters that believe it’s never too late to start over. This program operates without 24-hour staff or live-in supervision and all services are offered to the women participants at no cost to them.
The Mountain Laurel House is a two-year program for women survivors of sex trafficking, exploitation and addiction, specifically providing a safe space for pregnant and parenting survivors as they heal, deliver and care for their baby.
The Lilac and Lily Houses are fee-based independent living residences for program graduates as they transition to a life of independence.
our community outreach
The focus of Bloom’s Community Outreach program is to disrupt trafficking in the Lehigh Valley by improving safety and wellness through community education and prevention services, and outreach and advocacy that lead to restoration.
Who We Serve: men, women & children; unhoused individuals; incarcerated women; pastors and community leaders; K-12 educators; healthcare professionals; and community partners
Where We Serve: the streets, K-12 schools, churches, prisons, higher education institutes, and healthcare organizations
Launched in 2024, our Community Outreach initiative offers three key programs:
Youth Program
B.R.A.C.E. (Be Ready, Alert, Courageous & Educated) is an eight-part, interactive community education program for youth and young adults ages 5-22. The program’s goal is to raise awareness, teach safety skills, reduce abduction and trafficking risk, while developing interpersonal relationships and improving overall community wellness in the Lehigh Valley.
In-Jail Program
Bloom on the Inside is our in-jail program offering assessments as well as individual and group psychoeducational programming in local jails and provides safe housing for women leaving prison.
Podcast
“All Things Bloom” is our monthly podcast serving as a beacon of hope, shedding light on the pressing issue of human trafficking and inspiring action towards meaningful change. We have real conversations about trafficking, share survivor stories, discuss different aspects of the recovery path for survivors, talk about working and volunteering at Bloom, etc. We also have guest speakers sharing their expertise with us. Check it out on our YouTube channel.
Advocating for Change
Bloom provides safety, healing, and hope to survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. But we can’t do it alone. We need strong public policy and funding to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and hold traffickers accountable.
The document to the right was prepared by the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation within the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. These are the key policy priorities in Pennsylvania to enhance our laws to promote meaningful change for victims and survivors.
our social enterprises
Our women’s charity boutique, My Sister’s Closet, located in Bethlehem, Pa., offers curated, pre-loved clothing and accessories, as well as maternity and baby clothing at it’s co-located My Little Flower Boutique. This social enterprise also provides employment opportunities to program participants, community volunteer opportunities, and significant financial support for Bloom. For more information, click here.
We believe art heals and that everyone deserves a chance to start over. The Bloom Creative Studio in Bangor, Pa., is a supportive workplace for women leaving lives of addiction and violence. Our Studio has a gift shop, offers a variety of art classes, private parties, and open studio time. It also provides a safe and supportive environment for program participants to reconnect with their children and family. All purchases blaze a path for physical, mental and economic freedom for women survivors. For more information, click here.
our leadership
Bloom Board Members:
Lorri Tomko, DMD, M.B.A.
BOARD CHAIR
DENTIST, TOMKO DENTAL ASSOCIATES
Dinoli Rowlands, M.B.A.
BOARD VICE CHAIR
VP, PRIVATE BANK RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIST, PNC
Mark Sessanta
BOARD TREASURER
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR
FOUNDER & CEO, STARK FINANCIAL GROUP
Jessica Armstrong, Esq.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIR
ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL, ST. LUKE'S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK
Eric Dorman, CFP
BOARD MEMBER
PARTNER, AFFILIATED FINANCIAL PLANNERS
Billy Dunn, M.S.
BOARD MEMBER
SENIOR CONSULTANT,
THE CENTER CONSULTING GROUP
Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu, M.B.A.
BOARD MEMBER
CEO, PRECISION TALENT INTERNATIONAL
Tiffany Sondergaard
BOARD MEMBER
CEO, TS BRAND ELEVATION
Taisha Tolliver-Duran, Esq.
BOARD MEMBER
ATTORNEY, KING, SPRY, HERMAN, FREUND & FAUL, LLC
Bloom Advisory Council:
Anne Baum, M.S.
Elizabeth Meade, Ph.D.
Gina Sandnes
Richard Brooks
Tim Mulligan
Denise Spence
Marc Granson, MD
Kathleen Waterbury Reilly
Joe Topper, Jr.
our events
Bloom hosts numerous events throughout the year to raise awareness about sex trafficking and exploitation, as well as to fundraise to support survivors. See our events page for more details on upcoming events and how you can host your own event. If you are interested in sponsoring an event(s), we offer individual event sponsorships, as well as Annual Sponsorships. Click here to learn more.
our job opportunities
Thank you for your interest. At this time, we do not have any job opportunities available at Bloom. Please check back periodically as opportunities are posted frequently.
Internships:
Bloom offers internship opportunities throughout the year. Interns engage with the women in our homes who have a history of sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse. Other recurring themes include substance use, violence, criminal histories, and homelessness. Interns have the opportunity to assist with various tasks relating to the care of the participants.