'Purses With A Purpose' Program Returns To Help Local Women

WINNETKA, IL — Members from the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore gathered last month to fill more than 250 purses collected over the past several months. They filled them with toiletries, which were also collected from the community, along with vouchers from the Junior League's Evanston thrift shop. The "Purses with a Purpose" program, now in its second year, provides "hope and necessities" for women in local domestic violence programs and homeless shelters, according to the group.

"It was met with overwhelming success from both the organizations that were recipients and the members of the community in its first year that we knew we must do it again," said Alisha Liu, chair of the JLE-NS's Done in a Day service programs.

"Through this program we are able to provide them with a purse filled with necessities and hopefully a bit of encouragement through boosting their self-esteem, possessing new items, and providing care for themselves," she said in a release.

The program has also helped create community partnerships, as purses and toiletries were donated through Make a Difference Day and the Volunteer Center, Christ Church in Winnetka, Northview Dental Associates, Kate Spade, Junior League members and other community members, according to Liu.

Some of the agencies supported through the purse donation program include:

• Waukegan Township’s Staben House
• WINGS
• Howard Area Community Center
• Lake County Haven
• Sarah’s Circle

» via Junior League of Evanston-North Shore