Fida Abbott's published books, Enthusiasm and Exploring My Ideas have been such blessing for community. It was one of her wishes to support her community through her published books. She has supported several non-profit organizations in educational fields, local libraries, a church, medical researches (cancer and cystic fibrosis), and unreached chidlren programs since 2010. Her books were also sent to Middle East to support US Troops who were hunger in reading books in their break time.
This time Fida would like to support a non-profit oraganization, Thistle Hills, a healing home for the survivors of women trafficking, addiction, and drugs located in Coatesville, PA through her collaborative book that will be launched on March 1st, 2021.
Last month Fida had a chance to interview the Founder and President of Thistle Hills, Sherry Deets, and she would like to share it below.
SPECIAL INTERVIEW:
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
Published, Sunday, February 21, 2021
Read more...