Thistle and Bee empowers women survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, addiction, and other significant life challenges to build lives of safety, stability, and economic independence.

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Thistle and Bee provides a comprehensive continuum of care designed around a simple belief: healing and economic opportunity must go hand in hand. Through our Heal, Empower, Employ model, women have access to safe housing, trauma-informed behavioral health services, individualized case management, life and job skills training, and meaningful paid employment.

Our social justice enterprise gives women the opportunity to earn income and build real-world employment skills while producing and selling honey, granola, and other locally made products. Participants gain experience in food production, retail, customer service, sales, inventory, fulfillment, and small-business operations, while developing the confidence and stability needed for long-term employment.

What makes Thistle and Bee unique is that we do not ask women to heal first and become economically independent later. We address both at the same time. A woman can have a safe place to live, receive therapy and supportive services, earn a paycheck, develop workplace skills, and begin building a future, all within one integrated community of support.

Thistle and Bee also works upstream to prevent exploitation through education and community partnerships, helping young people, families, schools, and professionals recognize vulnerability and intervene before exploitation occurs.

Every donation to Thistle and Bee is an investment in more than a program. It helps provide housing, healing, employment, and a pathway toward lasting independence for women who are ready to build a different future.

At Thistle and Bee, we don't simply help women survive. We help create the conditions in which they can heal, earn, belong, and thrive.