"Building the Bridge for Hope" by Carol Andersen | |
Our Bloom CEO Carol Andersen recently wrote a deeply personal reflection called "Building the Bridge for Hope". It is based on her friendship with a woman named "Hope" (not her real name), 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 systemic change so that every survivor has the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive.
Click on the link below to read this powerful story!
| | Know the Signs of Trafficking | | | | Human trafficking often hides in plain sight, and knowing the warning signs can save lives. Our recent “Know the Signs” video highlights the red flags—such as isolation, lack of personal freedom, signs of abuse, and fear of authority—that can indicate someone is being exploited. By learning what to look for, you can be a voice for those who can’t speak out. Watch, share, and help raise awareness so more people can recognize trafficking and take action to protect potential victims. | |
Latest Episode of All Things Bloom: Unpacking the Diddy Verdict
The latest episode of our All Things Bloom podcast takes a thoughtful look at what the recent Diddy verdict reveals—not just about one individual, but about the larger systems that protect power and silence survivors. We explore how abuse can hide in plain sight, how the language we use shapes public understanding, and why real justice must go beyond the courtroom.
This conversation is about more than a headline—it’s about cultural change, accountability, and the voices that are too often ignored. The episode is now live—watch it on our YouTube channel.
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Current Needs in Our Homes
It takes a lot of resources to operate our five homes and ensure we are providing our survivors with what they need to heal and rebuild their lives. Currently, we are in need of:
- 2 Changing tables
- Diaper Genie diaper pails
- Household cleaning supplies
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Gift cards for groceries and necessities
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Gift cards for Uber or Lyft
The first three items can be found on our Amazon Wish List, as well as other continually needed supplies to take care of the women and babies in our homes.
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November 1-7
Lehigh Valley
Anti-Trafficking Week
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December 6
Evergreen Elegance & Holiday Marketplace
Location: Sandnes Barn
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"He said to her, Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
~Mark 5:34
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Carmen Ortiz
When Carmen Ortiz first began volunteering with Bloom, she didn’t realize she was stepping into something that would change her life as much as it would impact others. It started at Family Wash Day on Tuesdays, where she met Sheniqua Mitchell, Bloom’s Outreach Manager. “At first, we didn’t connect much,” Carmen recalls, “but one day I simply asked her if she needed help—and from that moment on, we started building something meaningful.” Drawn to Sheniqua’s passion for the BRACE (Be Ready, Alert, Courageous & Educated) youth program and outreach, Carmen found herself inspired by the way Bloom creates safe spaces for children and survivors to be heard.
Carmen officially began volunteering in late 2024, driven by a call to serve in a deeper way. Today, she works alongside Sheniqua at BRACE, mentors kids at the laundromat, joins speaking engagements to share her story as a survivor in long-term recovery, and participates in powerful awareness events like the Red Sand Project in Harrisburg. She has also helped educate healthcare professionals through a simulation with St. Luke’s nursing students—offering a first-hand perspective on the realities of trafficking and the role stigma plays in preventing survivors from getting help.
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Make a Greater Impact - Donate Stock to Bloom
Make a Greater Impact—Donate Stock to Bloom
Did you know that donating appreciated stock can be one of the most tax-smart ways to give? When you contribute stocks, bonds, or mutual funds you’ve owned for more than a year, you can avoid paying capital gains tax while still receiving a charitable deduction for the full market value of your gift. This means more of your donation goes directly toward providing safe housing, healing programs, and employment opportunities for survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation at Bloom.
Your generosity can create lasting change in the lives of survivors working to rebuild and reclaim their futures. Donating stock is simple—just contact your broker to initiate the transfer and let us know so we can properly acknowledge your gift. To learn more about making a stock donation, contact Vickie Nisbet, Bloom's Director of Development via email or at 610-866-5755. Together, we can turn your investments into hope and freedom.
| | HAPPENING AROUND BLOOM... | | |
Important Donation Dates:
August 30
Final day for spring and summer donations
August 31 - September 19
Donations will be on hold
September 20
Accepting fall and winter donations
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Summer Sale:
August 18th-23rd
20% off all full-price clothing (excludes My Little Flower and Bloom merchandise)
VIP Club Members: 25% off all full-price clothing
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Sales Associate Needed!
We are looking for a friendly, reliable Sales Associate to join our team! We’re specifically seeking someone available for our Wednesday and Friday closing shifts (2:15-6:15 p.m.). If you love fashion, supporting a great cause, and working with an empowering team—this could be the perfect fit! If interested, contact our Store Manager, Rebekah Fritchman at 610-866-5715 or via email.
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Interested in Volunteering?
Do you have a flair for fashion or a heart for service? My Sister’s Closet is in need of volunteers—especially after 2 p.m. any day of the week, and all day on Thursdays and Fridays. Our volunteers are the backbone of our mission, and we’d love to welcome you to the team!
Call 610-866-5715 or email us to get started. Your time can make a difference in the lives
of survivors!
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Join Our VIP Club
Get exclusive perks just for being a VIP! Enjoy special coupons, early access to new arrivals, invites to private shopping events, and members-only sales.
Don’t miss out—drop by the store to learn more and sign up!
Attention Existing VIP Members!
Is it time to renew your VIP Shopper
Club membership?
If you signed up in August 2024, it's time to renew.
Stop into the store to sign up for another year of exclusive benefits.
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Summer Creativity at the Studio & What's Coming Next
The Studio just finished its July series of Kids Art Classes. The classes offered were Clay for Kids, Art from Recycled Items and Acrylic Painting. A graduate of the Bloom program lead the painting class and we are so grateful for her willingness to share her talent with others.
The Bloom Freedom Benefit Dinner is fast approaching and we are busy making Bud Vases that will be used for table decorations. There will be an opportunity to buy vases at the end of the evening and we will also be selling them at the Bloom Studio.
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As the school year approaches, our Kids Art Class will resume on Thursdays, 3:30-5:00. Sign ups will be on our website.
Time to gather a group of friends and schedule an event with us at the studio. Contact us to learn more.
Interested in learning to throw on our pottery wheels, please call the studio to schedule a class. We offer handbuilding with clay on Tuesday mornings from 10:30-12:30 and Tuesday evenings from 6:00—9:00. Come and join us.
We would love to see you visit the Studio and enjoy some time creating.
| | 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. | | | Bloom is a faith-based non-profit organization with the mission of providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. As part of its mission, Bloom offers emergency response, a two-year residential program, pregnant and parenting 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 charity boutique, My Sister’s Closet, based in Bethlehem, Pa., providing curated, pre-loved clothing and accessories, as well as employment opportunities for survivors, community volunteer opportunities, and financial support for the organization. | | |
Bloom Headquarters
1425 Mountain Drive North
Bethlehem, PA 18015
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Bloom Lehigh County Program Office
532 Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
(By Appointment Only)
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