Bloom for Women, an Easton-based 501(c)3 organization serving victims of sexual exploitation, was slated to receive the 2026 Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy at a ceremony in the nation’s capital April 21.

The Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus is a Congressional organization founded in 2005 to advance bipartisan legislation, raise awareness and strengthen support systems for victims and survivors of crime. CSJC presents the Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy every year to recognize an individual or an organization for outstanding innovation in victim services.

Bloom CEO Carol Andersen is grateful for the increased public awareness the Ed Stout Award brings to her organization. “This recognition affirms the importance of ensuring survivors have access to safe housing, compassionate care, and meaningful opportunities to rebuild their lives,” Andersen says.

Congressman Jim Costa, D-Calif., and Congressman Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., are the chairmen of the CSJC. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th, nominated Bloom for the award.

“Bloom for Women is one of the Lehigh Valley’s exemplary nonprofits,” Mackenzie told The Press, “doing critical work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people in our society… As someone committed to supporting victims of abuse, violence and trafficking, I jumped at the opportunity to nominate Bloom for this prestigious award. We congratulate Bloom on this achievement and on all of the incredible work that they do on behalf of victims in our community.”

Mackenzie’s work on behalf of human trafficking victims dates back to his time as a Pa. State Representative, when he both authored legislation that would ensure victims of abuse are able to secure unemployment benefits in cases where they have to leave their jobs for safety reasons, and co-sponsored the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act.

Bloom for Women, Inc., is a faith-based nonprofit providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Bloom (www.bloomforwomen.org) offers emergency response, residential programs, outreach services and prevention education. Survivors also gain job training and employment through Bloom’s workforce development initiatives, including the PA 211 Fellowship Program and social enterprises such as Bloom Creative Studio and My Sister’s Closet.