Purses For Life

"A gift of a purse can save a life!"

The goal of Purses For Life (P4L) project is to make purses available to women victims of domestic violence so that they may have their valuable documents (including licenses, passports, social security cards, birth certificates, bank information, etc.) and other essentials (medication, etc.) packed in that purse (handbag) at all times, to be always prepared to “save their lives and the lives of their children” with such valuables if/when necessary.

Who Benefits?

Purses For Life will offer survivors of domestic abuse an opportunity to select a donated purse, new or slightly used as a "gift" of support that helps them to maintain their “life identity” essential documents in tact to facilitate the transition for themselves and their children.

This project will benefit women and teens in who receive resources from a domestic violence prevention centers in the Bronx and throughout New York City. 

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One woman's story...

 

About 8 months ago, a woman named "Judy" (for the sake of this story) arrived in the Emergency Department of a New York City hospital with her 2-year-old son and her 4-month-old daughter.  She had bruises on her face, cuts on her legs and marks on her neck.  She also had a purse. 

In that purse she had the documents that defined her life - proof of identity for her and her two children, her daughter’s medication, and the few other essentials with which she was able to leave. 

With that purse she was able to escape the home she and her abusive husband shared.  With that purse she survived the shelter system.  With that purse, two weeks ago, she and her children moved into their own safe apartment.  That purse preserved and protected essential documents and supplies needed for that critical life transition.