One night, my husband was watching a movie on television. I forget what its title was. It was based on the true story, and I joined him. It was about women trafficking that was happening in a country near Russia when they were facing an internal war. I forgot the name of the country. It was very tragic. I should not have watched it, but I kept watching it until the end. The movie was very tense, and I was immersed in the story and it moved my heart. They sold their family members to an organization that trafficked in people. To survive in the difficult time, uncles sold their nieces, etc.
After I watched that movie, that event stayed in my mind until this time. As I was watching that movie, I could not imagine those young women who became the victims of women trafficking at that time felt. They were tortured, made-sex slaves, lived in fear every single day, and in unsanitary conditions including accomodation, food, and drinks. I asked myself, how are they now, how is their condition especially their mental health? I am very sure the survivors experienced a great trauma in their emotional life.
When I knew there was a non-profit organization, named Thistle Hills that would launch their services soon to help women in Chester County and Coatesville area who had been trafficked and addicted with alcohol and drugs, I was so happy and thanked God that there were people who acted to support these victims through this non-profit organization.
I am more than happy that I can offer my support through my upcoming collaborative book that will be released soon. The proceeds of the sold books during Pre-Order event (net profit after ordering books and paying cost of shipping and handling) will benefit Thistle Hills.
I am also grateful that I had a special time to interview the Founder and President of Thistle Hills, Sherry Deets. Below is my special interview with her.
SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR SHERRY DEETS, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THISTLE HILLS
Me: As a Founder and President of Thistle Hills in Coatesville, what
is the vision and mission of this nonprofit organization?SD: Thistle Hills' vision is to create opportunities for
holistic healing and empowerment for women to achieve, sober, honest,
self-sufficient lives.
Our mission:
Thistle Hills offers support, love, and resources to women who are
survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. We believe they deserve a
second chance at life and provide programs that transform their lives and so
they become part of the fabric of our community.
Our Values:
Show radical hospitality and show love to residents,
so they can take control of their lives.
Demonstrate spiritual principles by celebrating the
diversity and commonality of humanity.
Use love as a healing gift and the most powerful force
for change in the world.
Acknowledge that everyone's journey matters and with
unconditional support residents will find their path.
Build a life-long sisterhood of compassionate,
disciplined support where everyone can flourish and grow.
Me: If someone needs Thistle Hills services, how can they contact you for detailed info?
SD: Our Executive Director is set to begin on February
8th. You can look to our website,
www.thistlehills.org for contact
information. Presently, you can call me
at 610-384-4771. We hope to welcome our
first women Survivors into their new home by late Spring/early Summer. There is
an application process to be admitted into the Thistle Hills program. That
application should be available on our website in the Spring.
Me: If someone would like to have Thistle Hills services but they
cannot afford it, do you have any solutions?
SD: Our services are offered free-of-charge. There is no
cost to the women in our program, as part of our mission involves taking care
of their physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs, enabling healing.
Me: If someone would like to support Thistle Hills in Coatesville,
would you explain how they can do?
SD: As we are in the early stages of this program, the
best way to support Thistle Hills is a financial donation. As programming begins, some volunteer
opportunities should present themselves.
Donations can be made electronically through our website,
www.thistlehills.org or by mailing a
check payable to Thistle Hills to 323 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320.
Me: If there is anything you would like us to know about
Thistle Hills but it has not mentioned above, what would it be?
SD: Do you know why we use a thistle in our name? The thistle illuminates the adage,
"Don't judge a book by its cover.".
A weed with the fortitude to thrive in brutal conditions, the thistle
has beautiful, soft purple centers with deep taproots that can shoot through
concrete and survive drought. Symbolically, the same is true of our women
who've gone through trauma: Beauty and strength underlie their trauma and past
baggage. The resilience, vibrancy, and healing qualities of the thistle
parallel the survival and flourishing of women survivors.
~ * ~
A LINK for PRE-ORDER BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON
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