This past weekend marked an exciting milestone for Survivor Ventures and our social enterprise, The Garden Within, as we made our very first appearance in Virginia at the High Street Festival in Portsmouth!

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With only three days to prepare, our Survivor Ventures Virginia team came together with incredible heart and determination to create a beautiful and intentional space for connection. Their dedication reflects the very essence of our mission, empowering survivors of trafficking and exploitation to lead, create, and thrive through economic opportunity.

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We are deeply grateful to Michelle Wren, Executive Director of Portsmouth Partnership, Inc., for reaching out to us directly and extending the invitation to participate. Michelle noticed that we had been in conversation with the Bloom Market space and took the initiative to connect with us about our application to the High Street Festival. Her thoughtfulness and community-minded leadership made this opportunity possible, and we’re so thankful for her support.

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A heartfelt thank-you also goes out to the City of Portsmouth for hosting us and welcoming Survivor Ventures and The Garden Within with open arms. Events like this represent more than just visibility, they are a chance to share our mission, build meaningful relationships, and introduce trauma-informed, survivor-led initiatives to new communities.

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This event was especially significant as The Garden Within, which first blossomed in Tampa, Florida, continues to expand its roots into Virginia. Bringing our holistic products, survivor-made creations, and trauma-informed wellness practices to new regions helps us strengthen the bridge between healing and sustainable empowerment for survivors.

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Jennifer Holmes, Chief Executive Officer and Re-Entry Director of Survivor Ventures, attended the event alongside Melissa French, Chief People Officer and Virginia S2E Director. Jennifer reflected on the experience, sharing:

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“The High Street Fest in my hometown of Portsmouth was such a special experience. As a lived-experience expert and survivor leader in my community, it meant so much to give back, connect with amazing local businesses, and feel the kindness of everyone there. The event turned out incredible, and I’m so proud of my hometown. I’m already looking forward to next year’s festival!”

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We left the High Street Fest feeling inspired, encouraged, and even more motivated to continue building partnerships throughout Portsmouth and the greater Hampton Roads area. 

We can’t wait to return for future events and collaborations with this amazing community. Thank you to everyone who helped make our first Virginia appearance such a success, your support fuels the ongoing work of creating pathways for survivors to heal, rebuild, and thrive.