Wings of Refuge event at New Moon Mercantile

Making a difference in the lives of others while offering unique, quality products is a priority for Carol Christensen at New Moon Mercantile at 325 W Walnut, Ogden. This month, she’s expanding her product line to include Oak Lane Candle Co.’s Wings of Refuge candle line and bracelets made by survivors of sex trafficking.

New Moon Mercantile will host an open house from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 8 featuring Life Coach Whitney Summerhays of the One More social enterprise of Wings of Refuge, a long-term safe home, located in Story County, for survivors of sex trafficking.

“Our main goal and vision is just to end exploitation for one more girl,” said Summerhays. “We’re a Christ-centered organization, and providing opportunities for survivors is a large part of the program.”

Since the foundation of the Wings of Refuge six years ago, the organization has been looking for ways survivors coming into the program could work in a trauma-informed environment, and earn employment in a safe context. But the right opportunity didn’t arise until last year.

One of the survivors in the home started making bracelets to earn money to purchase a therapy dog for herself. She succeeded in raising over $1000, and was able to buy the dog.

“That process was empowering and eye opening for her, and she said ‘If I did this, other women can do this as well,’” Summerhays said.

Soon, she was teaching other women how to make bracelets. Wings of Refuge expanded the endeavor through a partnership with Oak Lane Candle Co. in Ames, a company which makes good quality, soy-based candles, to create a Wings of Refuge candle line, poured by survivors.

For the full story, see this week’s Ogden Reporter. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.

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