Thistle and Bee Enterprises Inc.

The concept of NIMBYISY (Not in my backyard) creates challenges for Thistle and Bee. In October of 2020, we received a notice to vacate our rented safehouse. At the time I had searched for a rental property for 12 months (after our previous landlord took us on a month-to-month lease & raised our rent by 25% in October of 2019). No reputable landlord or property management company was willing to rent to the population we serve and our waiting list was growing. Therefore, we made the best possible decision and took a risk by taking on debt (whereas we had previously operated debt-free) to acquire a 4,400 SF house that allowed us to double our residential capacity. 

If selected as a winner, I would use the Elevate Prize funding for capital improvements (new roof, addition of a full bath, sewer line replacement, paint, and aesthetics - $125,000) and to create a private outdoors area for women survivors in our residential safehouse ($100,00 and a creative naming opportunity).  

Additionally, the Elevate Prize would have an tremendous impact over the next decade by providing a "matched savings" gift of $1,200 for 12 women graduates every year for the next 10 years ($144,000). 

Addiction and trauma follow multigenerational patterns. I come from a long line of alcoholics. When I was a child, I didn’t have to go to school, I was allowed to drink, smoke, and was generally “unmanageable.” At age 14 my dad told me “If you want to go to college, you better get a scholarship.” I didn't know how to get a scholarship, so I gave up.  

Eventually, I met the man who would become my husband. He encouraged me, and helped me enroll in college (answering questions I was too embarrassed to ask like, “what is a bursar?”). 

I studied behavioral science and graduated at the top of my class. Even though I had studied alcoholism from a behavioral science perspective, I saw my life following a similar trajectory to that of my parents. Cunning, baffling, powerful… addiction does not follow logic.

My dad died at 51 from alcoholism. At the time of dad's passing, mom had been sober for 3 years. When addiction began to consume my life, I had a clear choice: did I want to live, like my mom and turn my life around? Or did I want to die like my dad? I chose life. 

Thistle & Bee’s mission is to help women who have survived prostitution, sex trafficking, and addiction thrive. We offer survivors hope and healing through a holistic residential and therapeutic clinical program that includes life-skills training and employment in our social justice enterprise.  Our work is guided by the conviction that every woman is inherently worthy of love and respect. We believe in the transformative power of love and strive to create a community marked by unwavering support and mutual accountability.

The women served by Thistle and Bee have spent most of their lives surviving. Multiple systems have failed her. She has been neglected and abused. She may have ended up on the streets after running away from home to escape an abusive situation. Sadly, many women are first trafficked by a family member (familial trafficking) at a young age.

The women of Thistle and Bee are facing the same decision I faced 12 years ago, to live or die. 

The Thistle and Bee program is structured so that many graduates of the program will have an opportunity to join the staff as full-time employees upon graduation and all residents have the opportunity to help the next woman off the street. 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the complex problem of sex-trafficking and addiction. Each woman presents with a unique set of challenges and obstacles to her freedom. We walk alongside residents for two solid years, bringing resources and opportunity for survivors to become THRIVERS! This intensive therapeutic model touches all aspects of life, giving women the support they need to do this difficult work.

Within the first 30 days, new residents create Individual Program Plans with the Program Director, which are utilized throughout their participation in the program. One-on-one sessions with the program director are conducted quarterly (or more often, if needed) for the purpose of assessing milestones and achievements regarding personal growth goals; educational needs and career goals; physical and /or emotional health; problems and concerns of daily living; and accessing outside resources and other issues of concern to the resident. Each goal plan includes a Relapse Prevention Plan individualized to a resident’s former drug of choice, history of addiction and trauma, triggers and current factors. As goals and issues are reviewed and evaluated by the clinical team biweekly, progress is assessed and solutions and/or alternatives found if the resident is not meeting her desired goals. It works.

When you empower women and help them thrive, you help our communities thrive. Women shoulder the burden disproportionately and are the cornerstone of a functioning society.

The women in the Thistle & Bee program are paving the future for the next generation by breaking the cycle of poverty and multi-system failure with sex trafficking at an unprecedented high.  

Successful graduates will be gainfully employed, sober, and living independently in safe, stable housing five years after graduation. After graduation, many women will continue working in our social enterprise and often move into full-time and supervisory positions. 

(We have a fulltime graduate on staff now. She is getting her children back at the end of May 2021.)  

Others take the skills they have acquired and find work in the community. Those who wish to continue their education will be supported and mentored as a “Sister for Life”. Similar to an alumni network, after the women leave our program, they still have access to counseling, education opportunities and emergency financial assistance. Sisters remain connected through participation in voluntary events, groups, and mentorship. 

In order to keep the gift of sobriety, you have to be willing to help someone else...as you were once helped.