BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A nonprofit organization that helps women survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation in the Lehigh Valley is getting some financial assistance.
Two organizations have awarded Bloom for Women money to continue their mission.
“What it does is it infuses our program with cash so that we can for another day, light that candle and say come and rest and put your life back together," said Carol Anderson, chief executive officer of Bloom for Women.
"We will help you put those pieces back together and you can do the hard work of starting over.”
Bloom for Women recently got a grant from Helen & R.K. Laros Foundationto upgrade all the windows in its Heather House, one of Bloom’s five residential homes.
"It allows us to say out loud that this is happening in our community."Carol Anderson, CEO, Bloom for Women.
"It dignifies the experience," Anderson said. "It allows us to say out loud that this is happening in our community, and that under our watch, it's not going to happen anymore without intervention from this association."
She said 25% of the payroll budget goes to women who have either been through the program or have lived experience.
One of those women is Alyssa, who works as the residence manager for the Bloom houses. For safety purposes, her last name will not be revealed.
"Every penny helps,” Alyssa said. “It transforms ladies into believing honestly that a community is there waiting, rooting them on, cheering them on and that they believe in them.”
'A way out of their circumstances'
Alyssa said she was trafficked in the Lehigh Valley, but was connected to Bloom and went through its program.
Now she works for the organization helping women like herself.
“When I first heard about Bloom it was incredibly rare to find free housing for up to two years where you are just asked to work on yourself,” she said.
"Every week we light the candle. We have a morning meditation and we light the candle for the next woman out there, for the person trying to get through the darkest night."Alyssa, a residence manager for the Bloom houses
“It's a new chance for a lot of those who are still looking for a way out of their circumstances or what they've been through."
Another form of financial assistance came in the form of a $10,000 donation from the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association during the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Show.
Anderson said that money will go toward expanding its services to men and children, as well.
"We're putting that toward our community outreach initiative, which allows us to prevent this amongst our youth and will also allow us to reach victims in the community, men, women, children, anyone who may be experiencing exploitation,” Anderson said.
The programs offered to the women participants at no cost to them.
"Every week we light the candle," Alyssa said. "We have a morning meditation and we light the candle for the next woman out there, for the person trying to get through the darkest night."
The grant from the Helen & R.K. Laros Foundation was for a capital improvement project at Helen House and was part of an application process.
