Magdalene is a two-year residential community for women with a criminal history of prostitution and chemical addiction. The program helps women learn the skills they’ll need to obtain legal employment and earn a living wage. At the same time, it provides education, training, safe, permanent housing and family reunification.

Women at Magdalene are given the opportunity to develop much needed work skills at nearby Thistle Farms. Here residents make, package, market and sell a line of all-natural personal care products. Through this cottage industry, the most marginalized population learns how to become self-sufficient. Along with providing employment and training, the program provides a vital experiential learning center, as well as a nurturing place to enhance job skills and develop self-esteem.

The Compassion Fund grant of $15,000 is being used to support the sales training and mentoring of Magdalene’s residents who work in the cooperative workplace at Thistle Farms.

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For more information on Magdalene and Thistle Farms, please contact:
Magdalene, Inc.
Thistle Farms
P.O. Box 6330-B
Nashville, TN 37235
phone: 615.322.7336
web sites: www.thistlefarms.org
www.magdalenehouse.com