Susan Flanders (left), past president of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of Christ Episcopal Church in Charlevoix is pictured donating funds to the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). Pictured accepting the $480 donation are (from left), Flanders; Deb Smith, WRCNM assistant director; Nicole Breighner, WRCNM administrative assistant; and Betty Stephen, ECW president.

Selling candles to help women locally and beyond northern Michigan was the goal of a fundraiser initiated by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of Christ Episcopal Church in Charlevoix. The ‘Hope’ candles they sold this holiday season were manufactured by survivors of trafficking, prostitution and abuse employed at Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee.

ECW committee members decided to also support local survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault by donating dollars raised from the Hope candle sale to the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.

According to Thistle Farms executive director, Becca Stevens, they do not make the Hope candles because candles are their passion. They make candles to give women who have survived violence, prostitution and trafficking an opportunity for healing and economic freedom. Staff members symbolically light a candle at the start of every day for other women who are still being impacted by violence and abuse and who are trying to find their way home.

Thistle Farms is a social enterprise nonprofit that includes a two-year residential program and advocacy services for up to 700 women yearly. They provide education and training annually through speaking events and workshops. Stevens has been featured on many national news programs, such as The Today Show, PBS, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and NPR.

Christ Episcopal Church and the ECW committee plans to host a program this fall featuring Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms as the speaker.

For more information on WRCNM programs and services, call the main office at (231) 347-0067 or visit wrcnm.org.