Last night, The Farm had the honor of once again hosting the annual Magdalene House Christmas Party. Our Lobby was filled with friendly faces, warm-hearted laughter, and even a little caroling…performed by none other than the wonderful women of Magdalene House.
Magdalene was founded in 1997 by Becca Stevens, an Episcopal priest, as a residential program for women who have survived lives of prostitution, trafficking, addiction and life on the streets. Residents live in one of six homes and Magdalene offers housing, food, medical and dental care, therapy, education, and job training at no charge to the women.
Residents range in age from twenty to fifty and approximately 72% are clean and sober two-and-a-half years after beginning the program. Magdalene also offers a 
matched savings program to help residents prepare for economic independence upon graduation. Women who remain in recovery two years post-graduation are eligible for a new home buying program administered by two local congregations and Magdalene.
After four months in the program, women find work, return to school, and/or enter the job training program at Thistle Farms, the social enterprise run by Magdalene. The women make natural bath and body products and the purchase of these products directly benefit those making them.
While working at Thistle Farms, women learn skills in manufacturing, packaging, marketing and sales, and administration. It is a supportive workplace where women acquire the skills they need to earn a living wage. Employees have the opportunity to put a percentage of their earnings in a matched savings account provided by Magdalene. Through Thistle Farms, the women of Magdalene gain much needed job skills, and learn responsibility and cooperation.
Last night, after a wonderful dinner and a very entertaining round of Secret Santa, the ladies were presented with gifts from Santa. It was truly a blessing to watch the excitement in each woman’s eyes as they received them and it would be hard to imagine that anyone was left without an overall feeling of goodwill. What a wonderful evening! It’s safe to say, we are all looking forward to doing it all over again next year!
Visit the Magdalene and Thistle Farms website for more information on the work that they’re doing as well as the Thistle Farms online store to purchase Thistle Farm products and support this wonderful program.