Press Release:
Bloom, an organization dedicated to providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Lehigh Valley, announces that Grounds for Restoration, a faith-based specialty coffee business created to support the fight against human trafficking, has been gifted to Bloom for Women by co-founders Larry Ackley and Tom Serridge as Larry and his wife Dawn enter retirement.
Beginning October 1, Grounds for Restoration will operate as a Bloom social enterprise, offering specialty-grade coffee while creating meaningful employment opportunities for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Larry, Tom, and several others founded Grounds for Restoration as a non-profit beginning in 2015, believing their faith and business could be used to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Their goal was to raise funds through coffee sales and give all of the profits to faith-based organizations supporting survivors of human trafficking. Since then, Grounds for Restoration has sold more than 20,000 bags of coffee and donated profits of over $120,000 to organizations addressing human trafficking, including Bloom for Women.
Over the years, Grounds for Restoration has been a generous supporter of Bloom and its work with survivors. Now, rather than simply closing or selling the business as they retire, they have chosen to gift Grounds for Restoration to Bloom—allowing the business and the mission behind it to continue.
“This gift is an incredible investment in the future of Bloom and the women we serve,” said Carol Andersen, CEO of Bloom. “The Grounds for Restoration team built their company with tremendous faith, generosity and purpose, and we are deeply grateful for the support they have provided Bloom over the years. Now they are giving us the opportunity to build upon that foundation. Our vision is to grow Grounds for Restoration so that, as the business grows, so do opportunities for survivors—to earn income, build skills, gain confidence and move toward greater independence. At the same time, it will create another sustainable source of revenue to strengthen Bloom’s mission for years to come.”
Grounds for Restoration currently serves hundreds of online customers and has 20-some wholesale partners, primarily churches and local businesses. Bloom plans to build upon that existing customer base by expanding online and retail sales, developing new wholesale and corporate partnerships, and increasing Grounds for Restoration’s presence at community events.
Future plans also include the launch of a Grounds for Restoration mobile espresso bar and coffee cart, creating another avenue for sales, community engagement and survivor employment.
For the original Grounds for Restoration team, gifting the business to Bloom provides an opportunity for the purpose behind their non-profit to continue long after the Ackleys’ retirement.
“For 11 years we dreamed of being able to employ survivors in Cheltenham while we generated funds for Restoration Homes” said Ackley, co-founder and President of the original Grounds for Restoration. “But the logistics of doing that were way too complicated. Bloom is the perfect next step for carrying forward our mission – they are experts at providing healing, empowerment, and work opportunities that match the skills and inclinations of their residents, AND Bloom’s commitment and compassion are a great starting point for demonstrating the love of Jesus.”
As a Bloom social enterprise, Grounds for Restoration will become part of the organization’s broader commitment to employment and workforce development. Through Bloom’s social enterprises, survivors have opportunities to gain workplace experience, develop transferable skills and earn income in a supportive environment as they work toward greater independence.
Grounds for Restoration will initially offer five specialty-grade coffees—Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopian Sulladja, Sumatra and Decaf—all locally roasted by Mad Catter Coffee Roasters in Allentown, Pa. Coffee is available online and at select Bloom locations, including My Sister’s Closet in Bethlehem, Bloom Creative Studio in Bangor and The Gift Shop at the St. Francis Retreat Center in Easton.
“Every purchase is an opportunity for someone in our community to be part of this next chapter,” Andersen said. “Customers can enjoy great coffee while knowing their purchase is helping us create opportunity and build a more sustainable future for Bloom’s mission.”
The vision for the next chapter of Grounds for Restoration is captured in its new tagline: Brew Hope. Create Opportunity.
About Bloom
Bloom for Women, Inc.is a faith-based nonprofit providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower, and employ survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Based in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Bloom offers emergency response, residential programs, outreach services, and prevention education. Survivors also gain job training and employment through Bloom’s workforce development initiatives, including the PA 211 Fellowship Program and social enterprises such as Bloom Creative Studio, My Sister’s Closet and Grounds for Restoration. Bloom is a sister community of the nationally recognized Thistle Farms program in Nashville. Learn more at www.bloomforwomen.org.
Grounds for Restoration
For more on Grounds for Restoration, you can visit their Facebook page and website.
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Photos: Grounds for Restoration