This year, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee gave an unprecedented $5 million to a handful of groups fighting sex trafficking, which advocates say is part of a bigger push to change how the sexually exploited are treated. The biggest chunk of money went to End Slavery Tennessee.
Prominent Nashville Nonprofit Thistle Farms Is Expanding Again
Thistle Farms, a Nashville nonprofit that sells products made by survivors of addiction and sexual exploitation, is expanding yet again, thanks to a spike in sales during the pandemic.
A Nashville Business Run By Former Prostitutes Celebrates $1M In Sales
In addition to facing the normal challenges of running a small business, Thistle Farms has an unlikely model for success: It hires women like Shana Goodwin, whose sex trafficking began when she was 12. Most of the employees have survived years of homelessness, addiction and abuse.
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