Meet Our SOLID Shares Partner: Thistle Farms

SOLID is honored to be partnering with Special Olympics Tennessee, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Equal Access, Thistle Farms, and Hope on the Row in 2025. We’ve asked leaders from these non-profits to tell us more about their roles, company operations in Nashville, and volunteer opportunities. Read on to learn more about Thistle Farms from Sara Thomas, Donor Relations Manager.

Please describe a brief history of the business operations in Nashville and your role at the company.

Thistle Farms was founded almost thirty years ago to address the need for housing, wraparound services, and meaningful employment for women survivors of human trafficking, prostitution, and addiction in Nashville. Since then, we have expanded to 36 residential beds, a national network of aligned organizations, and a global network of other social enterprises.

I personally serve as the Donor Relations Manager at Thistle Farms and I am honored to share about our mission and work and connect individuals with ways to support our work for years to come.

If relevant, what is the impact of mentorship, and how does mentorship make a difference for mentees?

Mentorship shows up at Thistle Farms in both our two-year residential program and our job training program as community volunteers contribute their expertise to support women learning new job skills. Mentors can have an impact locally or globally as we connect mentors with other social enterprise partners or within our residential program. Mentorship is essential as it builds community connections and resources for a woman survivor building a life for herself.

Describe the company’s relationship with SOLID. How does the company embody SOLID’s word of the year, “community,” by contributing to local neighborhoods, schools, etc.?

Community is at the heart of everything Thistle Farms does. Human trafficking has an impactthat effects our whole community, and the solutions are also made possible because of our community coming together in support. Volunteering, donating, and shopping and dining at our shop and café all have an immediate impact to support our mission.

Please share any notable projects, events, news, that you are passionate about and its importance.

Every May at Thistle Farms we celebrate the graduation of residents that have successfully completed the two-year residential program. This is a powerful milestone and a reminder of why Thistle Farms was started. This year we are celebrating twelve graduates, our largest graduating class yet. These graduations also mean that new participants will be joining the program as we continue to serve our community.

What are some great ways people get involved?

Some of the best ways to get involved at Thistle Farms are through volunteering, visiting our café and shop, and through monthly giving. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals or groups and can be coordinated through our interest form here. We invite our community to visit us at 5122 Charlotte Avenue to dine at our café and shop products that support meaningful employment program (our café was also recently highlighted by Condé Nast!). If you are passionate about the work of Thistle Farms, we invite you to join our monthly donor community, at any giving amount, to have a direct impact on making our residential program possible. You can join our monthly donor community here.

How can people learn more online? (contact info, website, or social handles)

Visit our website Thistle Farms or follow us on Instagram at @thistlefarms. For any questions regarding ways to get more involved, please contact Sara Thomas at sara.thomas@thistlefarms.org