Thistle Farms and End Slavery Tennessee Celebrate Opening of its First ‘Safe House’ for Women Trafficking Survivors in Middle Tennessee
Sheila McClain, Director of Residential Services, Thistle Farms; Hal Cato, CEO, Thistle Farms; Margie Quin, CEO, End Slavery TN
Photo credit: Thistle Farms
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Thistle Farms and End Slavery Tennessee recently celebrated the opening of its first, jointly-run ‘safe house’ in Middle Tennessee, it was announced by Hal Cato, CEO, Thistle Farms and Margie Quin, CEO, End Slavery Tennessee. The two-bedroom home with four beds will serve as short-term emergency housing for survivors of trafficking. The safe house opened its doors in mid-October.
Cato states, “The opening of The Safe House at Thistle Farms marks an expansion of our residential and healing services, and fills an immediate need for emergency housing and support in Middle Tennessee. We’re thrilled to partner with our colleagues at End Slavery Tennessee to help women survivors recover and heal from trafficking.”
Quin adds, “Partnerships and shared resources will enable our two agencies to serve more survivors of human trafficking in a trauma-responsive environment. This new initiative is another positive step for survivor healing in Middle Tennessee.”
The designated home will provide a place of growth and learning, where a survivor can safely and respectfully begin to heal. Survivors will be offered food, supplies, medical care, mental health services and chemical dependency support. During each woman’s stay, the program team and clinical professionals at Thistle Farms and End Slavery Tennessee will work to find long term housing and resources to help participants continue their healing journey. For information on admissions, please call 615-806-6899.
About Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Based in Nashville, the organization provides safe and supportive housing, the opportunity for economic independence through varying social enterprises, and a strong community of advocates and partners. For more information, visit thistlefarms.org.
About End Slavery Tennessee
End Slavery Tennessee provides specialized case management and comprehensive aftercare for human trafficking survivors and tactically addresses the problem through advocacy, prevention and training of front-line professionals. For more information, visit endslaverytn.org.
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CONTACTS:
Thistle Farms
Lisa Chader, The Change Agent·cy
lisa.chader@thechangeagentcy.com
End Slavery Tennessee
Caitlin Reed, Communication & Events Specialist
creed@endslaverytn.org