Sep 01, 2021
Carol Anderson, CEO Bloom
How BLOOM cares for victims of trafficking, exploitation, addiction.

Carol Andersen is an advocate for women with an enthusiastic passion to share hope and instill empowerment with survivors of sex trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.  She is the CEO of Bloom, whose mission is to provide sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ women survivors of sex trafficking.  Bloom operates Heather House, a 5 bed, 90-day stabilization shelter; Jasmine House, an 8-bed 2-year recovery-based residence; and two 3 bed transitional homes for program graduates, Lilac House and Lily House.  In addition, Bloom operates two social enterprises: My Sisters Closet, an upscale women’s resale boutique in Bethlehem Township; and Bloom DIY Shop, a drop in creative space staffed by program participants in downtown Bangor. 

 

Bloom’s 2-year residential program is part of a national network of more than 75 programs that follow the nationally recognized Thistle Farms Nashville model that has been restoring the lives of women survivors since 1997. 

 

Carol has been married to Steve for 31 years and they are proud parents to three grown boys; a mountain biker, a film-maker, and a US Marine. 

 

 

 

Summary of her talk:

 

Bloom is a newly merged organization combining the former Truth for Women and Bloom Bangor programs.  Carol will share about the merger, their recent expansion as well as some very exciting opportunities to provide more long-term residential options for women survivors, one being the ability to serve pregnant survivors and offer up to 2 years of housing and healing during this unique season of life. 

 

Bloom now provides a full continuum of care to women survivors of sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and addiction.  Carol will give an overview of the programs Bloom offers and how building a loving and supportive community for women survivors can offer longer term success and life-long freedom. 

 

Carol will also share ways in which the community can support this much-needed program.