Bloom Partners with United Way to Launch 211 Fellowship | | |
Bloom is honored to partner with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley through the PA 211 Fellowship Program, a powerful initiative designed to connect survivors with critical resources and pathways to employment. Through this fellowship, Bloom participants will gain hands-on work experience with PA 211—United Way’s essential information and referral hotline—while building skills in communication, professionalism, and community advocacy.
This partnership not only offers survivors meaningful employment opportunities, but also gives them the chance to be part of a mission-driven system that provides help and hope to others in crisis. By investing in survivor employment and leadership development, the 211 Fellowship is a vital step toward long-term independence, stability, and empowerment. Bloom is proud to collaborate with United Way in creating dignified career pathways and amplifying the voices of survivors throughout our community.
| A Night of Impact: Freedom Benefit Dinner Reaches $100,000 Goal | |
The 2025 Freedom Benefit Dinner was an unforgettable evening of courage, community, and unwavering generosity. We are thrilled to share that—thanks to you—we reached our $100,000 fundraising goal in support of survivors.
Hosted graciously by Olav and Gina Sandnes, the evening featured a powerful keynote from Brent Morral, Homeland Security Investigations Resident Agent in Charge. His eye-opening insight into the realities of trafficking in the Lehigh Valley reminded us why Bloom’s mission is so critical.
Our deepest gratitude goes to our Visionary Sponsors—In the Light Roofing, Oceana Health, The Topper Foundation, J.B. & Kathleen Reilly, and Bill & Denise Spence—as well as all event sponsors, silent auction donors, and every guest who stood with us. We also offer a special thank-you to our dedicated event committee, led by Susan Lubbe, for their tireless work in bringing this meaningful evening to life.
We were honored to welcome local dignitaries and community leaders, united in support of survivor healing and restoration.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. The generosity of our community is creating real pathways to sanctuary, empowerment, and hope.
| | Party for Poppa K Raises $50,000 for Survivors | | |
The 21st Annual Party for Poppa K Golf Tournament, held on September 26 at Olde Homestead Golf Club, brought together golfers, community members, and longtime supporters for a day of generosity and hope. Together, they raised over $50,000 to support Bloom, this year's non-profit beneficiary, and its mission.
Founded by Pete Kareha in honor of his late father, Party for Poppa K has grown from a small gathering into a beloved annual tradition. What began as a way to “make lemonade out of lemons” has become a powerful movement for good.
“We were introduced to Bloom through one of our friends and steering committee members,” Pete shared. “Bloom’s mission and passionate leadership made it clear this was an organization worth standing behind.”
A heartfelt thank you to Pete, the PFPK committee, and everyone who participated for helping make hope possible for survivors.
| | Celebrating New Beginnings | | |
Last night, we gathered as a community to celebrate two incredible women who graduated from Bloom’s two-year residential program. It was an evening filled with joy, tears, and deep gratitude as friends, family, and the Bloom community honored their strength, courage, and the bright futures ahead.
Each graduate’s journey is a testament to healing, perseverance, and hope—and we are so proud of how far they’ve come. The night closed with a beautiful candlelighting ceremony, reminding us all to “take your candle and go light the world.”
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone and supporting the women of Bloom.
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Celebrating Participant Milestones
This season has been full of growth and celebration within the Bloom community! Our participants continue to make incredible progress on their healing journeys. Recent milestones include:
- Welcoming one new participant into the Bloom Residential Program
- Celebrating two program graduates as they move forward with confidence and hope
- Supporting one participant’s transition into the Bloom Transitional House
Each milestone is a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and transformation happening every day at Bloom.
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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 the following, which all can be found on our Amazon Wish List:
- Household cleaning supplies (it's flu season!!)
- Diapers (sizes 2, 3 and 4)
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Gift cards for groceries and necessities
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Gift cards for Uber or Lyft
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"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
~Galations 6:9
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Join Our Sustainer Circle and Make an Ongoing Impact
Help healing continue all year long by joining Bloom’s Sustainer Circle, our monthly giving program that provides steady support for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Your recurring monthly gift sustains Bloom’s mission and makes a lasting impact in the lives of women on their journey toward healing, empowerment, and independence.
- It’s impactful. Your ongoing support provides consistent funding that helps Bloom plan for the future and continue offering life-changing programs.
- It’s easy. Automated giving means no checks to write and fewer administrative costs—more of your gift goes directly to supporting survivors.
- It’s affordable. Even a small monthly donation adds up over time, providing essentials and continuous care for the women we serve.
Join the circle that sustains hope and healing—because together, we make recovery possible.
Join the Sustainer Circle Today by clicking here.
| | HAPPENING AROUND BLOOM... | | |
October Sales
October 20-25
Clothing Sale
20% off full-price clothing
VIP only: 25% off full-price clothing
Sale includes My Little Flower
October 31
Halloween Sale
One Day Only
31% off full-price black clothing only.
Sale includes My Little Flower
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Join Our VIP Club
Shop smart and make a difference! The MSC VIP Club gives you insider perks, special savings, and early access—all while supporting Bloom’s mission.
Learn more by clicking here.
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Accepting Donations
Donations of fall and winter clothing and accessories are now being accepted. Please see our website for what we do and do not accept.
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Host an MSC Pop-Up Shop
Looking for a fun way to support Bloom’s mission? Invite My Sister’s Closet to bring our pop-up boutique to your church, business, or community event—featuring beautiful handbags, jewelry, and accessories your guests will love, all for a great cause. Call us at 610-866-5715 or email us to schedule your event!
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Keep your eyes open for several New Upcoming Events a Bloom Creative Studio.
October 26th, Paint or Carve your Pumpkin at the Studio from 12pm-6pm. You bring your own pumpkin, and we will supply paints and carving tools for your creativity to unfold, cost is $5.
| October 27th, Painting class where you will be painting on slate. Go to our website for details and to sign up. | |
November 5th and 6th there will be a Creative Writing/Journaling workshop, all details and sign up are on our website.
Remember we have Open Clay Studio Tuesday mornings 10:30-12:30 and Tuesday evenings 6PM-9PM. Fun time!
We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!
We are still looking for a secondhand pottery wheel so if you have any leads please let us know.
| | 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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