When joined in their efforts, communities have the capacity to help create positive change for those impacted by sexual violence. Hosted by Our VOICE, a special event titled Tea to Nourish the Soul: A Conversation with Reverend Becca Stevens<\/i> will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, at Homewood, located at 19 Zillicoa Street in Asheville. Reverend Stevens will lead a discussion on human trafficking, oppression, and how a community can heal together.<\/p>\n
She is an Episcopal priest, social justice advocate, and founder of Thistle Farms in Nashville, a powerful group of women who have survived prostitution, human trafficking, and addiction. In addition to a two-year residential program, Thistle Farms also employs dozens of survivors through its social enterprises, which include a body care company, caf\u00e9, artisan studio, and global marketplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cHurt imposed by violence, poverty, trafficking, racism, disease, and frailty cannot break hearts,\u201d says Reverend Stevens. \u201cI know love is stronger than that. We are here to love one another in the most radical way possible, without judgment, to pray that others can love us in the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Our VOICE increases its capacity to address the needs of survivors of human trafficking, it is important to bring awareness of the issue,\u201d says Ang\u00e9lica Wind, executive director of Our VOICE. \u201cThere is a notion that human trafficking occurs in other countries. The reality is that it is happening closer to our neighborhoods than we think. North Carolina is ranked among the top ten states in the nation for human trafficking.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur VOICE\u2019s work is similar to Thistle Farms\u2019 in that we empower survivors to make decisions on how they want to approach their healing. It isn\u2019t up to us to determine what healing looks like, it us up to us to provide options and tools to heal.\u201d<\/p>\n