New resale boutique location supports gals experiencing trauma, trafficking and habit

Shoppers perused racks of upscale donated things and elected officials despatched certificates as a Lehigh Valley nonprofit on Saturday celebrated the relocation of its resale boutique.

My Sister’s Closet, now in the Bethlehem Village Retailers at 3560 Nazareth Pike in Bethlehem Township, raises income for Bloom for Girls Inc. — shaped final yr as a result of a merger of Truth for Gals and Bloom Bangor.

Bloom for Females features a religion-based mostly, two-yr system for women of all ages to get over trauma, trafficking and habit, claimed CEO Carol Andersen. Featuring four residential services with space for up to 19 ladies, its program is made to help rebuild life ravaged by situations they did not pick out and who have to have a safe area, she explained.

“We stand in solidarity with all women that they should really not be applied as commodities but in its place be presented the chance to dream and rebuild individuals misplaced dreams that they had, so that they can have a daily life which is significant and increase their children, have households and have entertaining just like you and I all drive to do,” Andersen reported at Saturday’s grand opening.

Rebekah Fritchman, supervisor of My Sister’s Closet, discovered the new locale for the boutique previous November to substitute the earlier location that experienced restricted highway exposure, Andersen mentioned.

“All of our expert services for the ladies that are in our two-12 months software are at no price to them,” Andersen claimed. “And My Sister’s Closet, the assets that we elevate right here are so important. We hope to maximize our income and then utilize ladies that are in our method to give them safe work opportunities and financial opportunity that they would not have had we not been listed here at this place.”

Amid these in attendance Saturday had been state Rep. Ann Flood, R-Northampton, and reps of point out Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh/Northampton, and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, a Democrat from Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District that addresses Lehigh, Northampton and southern Monroe counties.

A client of Bloom for Ladies, a Bangor spot resident who agreed to be discovered by her first identify, Ashley, shared testimony from her the latest baptism. A mom, she spoke of overcoming her have tumultuous childhood, a toxic romance, and drug and alcohol abuse.

“My life has transcended past my wildest goals,” said Ashley, who is eight months sober. “The man or woman I’m turning out to be is the females I know God has been waiting around for me to be.”

Along with My Sister’s Closet, Bloom for Women of all ages also operates Bloom Creative Studio in Bangor that takes advantage of artwork as a healing software and provides a reward store, Do-it-yourself crafts, pottery and glass fusion.

My Sister’s Closet hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday via Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Master additional at bloomforwomen.org.

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Kurt Bresswein may be arrived at at [email protected].