TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson bridal boutique is home to an organization that gives 100-percent of its profit to sex trafficking survivors.
Near the Men's Warehouse on Broadway Blvd. is the bridal shop, Free Ever After. Driving past, you may think its just a bridal store, but its mission, holds much more meaning.
People donate formal dresses and wedding gowns, the boutique sells them, and 100-percent of the proceeds go to the organization's survivor services.
"Some of the women we've been working with, we've been working with for three years. Walking with them for that long. We do a kind of healing program with them and then we get to walk with them through life after that, trying to help them stay on their feet and help them get back into society," said Abigail Wilhelm, the director of operations for Free Ever After.
Shoppers can choose from dresses that range from size zero to 22 in the formal dresses, and sizes zero to 32 in the wedding gowns.
"Its really incredible to see how generous the community has been with that. We really want people to be able to come here and not only to support our cause and what we're doing, but find an affordable option for them as well," said Wilhelm.
Free Ever After does one-on-one mentoring with women who have been sexually exploited and abused. The non-profit has been working within the Tucson community for the past five years.
"These women understand that it's the community that's making this happen for them. They can see this shop as a tangible way that the community is loving on and rooting for them," said Wilhelm.
If you would like to donate dresses to Free Ever After, you can go directly to their boutique at 5626 E. Broadway boulevard. And for other donation options, visit free freeeverafter.org.
