Bloom for Women hosted a special evening that offered guests the opportunity to grow in their awareness of sex trafficking and what they can do to make a difference.

“I believe each and every one of you is here tonight for a reason,” keynote speaker Dr. Hanni Stoklosa told the 208 guests gathered for the Bloom for Women Freedom Benefit Dinner Oct. 4 at Saucon Valley Country Club.

“I hope your eyes, mind and heart will be opened on how you think about human trafficking and how you can make a difference.”

Bloom for Women, a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sanctuary and care for women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, hosted the event that included a cocktail hour, silent auction and speaker.

The benefit dinner aimed to raise awareness and funds for Bloom for Women’s mission to heal, empower and employ women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The organization offers a continuum of care, including emergency response, a two-year residential program, pregnant survivor services, and an independent living program in the Lehigh Valley.

Dr. Stoklosa is chief medical officer and co-founder of HEAL Trafficking, an organization that works to end human trafficking and support survivors. She is an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with appointments at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.

She spoke about her personal journey of awareness as an emergency physician; learning and unlearning her own perceived ideas of trafficking; and understanding the ways that trauma effects the health of victims. She also discussed the importance of medical advocacy for some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

“My papa was a preacher – I grew up in a home of faith,” Dr. Stoklosa said, noting her faith is very much a part of her work.

Her decision to go into medicine sprang from her desire to “have a bigger impact on the world.”

She said 68 percent of trafficking victims have some contact with a health care professional while being trafficked.

“I realized I had treated some of these trafficking victims medically but missed the trafficking part,” she admitted.

“I know this is my calling,” she said of her work against trafficking.

Speaking of her journey of “unlearning,” Dr. Stoklosa highlighted she discovered “good intent doesn’t mean good impact.”

For example, when someone hears of trafficking, it may seem like a good idea to call 911 – but it’s not.

She shared the story of a nurse who called the police while treating a trafficking victim.

“The person ran because many victims of trafficking are forced to commit crimes as part of their exploitation,” Dr. Stoklosa said. “It has to be the right law enforcement at the right time.”

“Tonight is going to spark conversations,” she said. “You have a sphere of influence in your communities.” She encouraged guests to think of action steps they can take, such as aiming to prevent trafficking through mentorship, particularly of at-risk youth.

“You may be the one to open the eyes of a health care professional – most don’t have training in this,” Dr. Stoklosa said. “Tell a health care professional about trafficking.”

Human trafficking is a public health issue affecting every community in the United States, said Bloom for Women CEO Carol Andersen.

“Health care providers may be one of the few professionals interacting with a victim while in captivity and, when trained can play an important role in the victim’s safe exit from a trafficking situation,” she said.

“Our vision is a lifelong sisterhood of hope, healing and freedom,” Andersen said. “Since opening the doors of our first home in 2014, we have served 188 women and provided 27,850 nights of safety. Bloom exists because the Lehigh Valley believes it’s never too late to start over.”

“Our next big dream is to open a café on or near Hamilton Street in Allentown. This café will provide safe jobs and leadership opportunities for participants and graduates,” Andersen said. “It’s not impossible – I’m sure that there are several of you in this room that have been moved by this incredible work and can help make this dream come true. If that’s you, let’s talk.”

She asked those gathered to consider giving a gift and supporting women’s freedom.

Anderson recognized Bloom’s staff, volunteers and volunteer board of directors with gratitude. She also voiced thanks to Bloom’s community of supporters and partners, and to Gina and Olav Sandnes for hosting the evening.

“I’m proud, privileged and humbled to be part of such an amazing ministry,” said board member Gina Sandnes. “I would encourage you to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, as it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, ‘For God loves a cheerful giver.’”

“I will leave you with a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt,” Sandnes said> “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those that have too little.”

Board member Jessica Armstrong said that Bloom is more than a nonprofit serving women survivors in the Lehigh Valley.

“It’s a movement for freedom,” she said. “As I look out at all of you who have joined us tonight, I see the power of partnership. I see the reason we see miracles every day at Bloom and how when a community comes together and believes it’s never too late to start over, everything changes,” Armstrong said.

“Thank you for being the reason for why Bloom exists,: she added. “We are so grateful to every one of you.”

The evening’s program also included a prayer before dinner offered by Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu, Bloom board director; and the screening of a brief video created by Laura Hensel that Andersen described as “a beautiful piece giving us a glimpse into the resilience and hope of a Bloom survivor.” Kate Hughes, comedian, writer and director of Voice of the Valley, served as emcee along with Andersen.

Dr. Stoklosa noted the upcoming Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Awareness Week Nov. 4-10, sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Collaborative, will feature numerous events. LVAT is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking. Through a seven-day awareness campaign every first week of November, and other events throughout the year, LVAT recognizes the importance of survivor voices in the anti-trafficking movement and educates the community on their role in disrupting trafficking.

LVAT is composed of several social justice organizations dedicated to serving survivors on the front lines. The collaborative is represented by Bloom for Women, Crime Victims Council, Valley Against Sex Trafficking, and Valley Youth House.

Bloom for Women also held a Celebration event Sept. 17 hosted by New Covenant Christian Community Church (NC4), Bethlehem, to honor the women survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in their program.

Bloom celebrated the graduation of a participant in its two-year residential program and those attending heard the courageous stories of three survivors in the Bloom program. The evening concluded with worship music and a candle-lighting ceremony.

For more information on Bloom for Women or to donate visit bloomforwomen.org/.