Purse with a Purpose

Purse With a Purpose is one of the Women’s Place and Resource Center’s most meaningful outreach initiatives. Through this program, WPRC fills and distributes purses to women in need throughout our community, each thoughtfully packed with essential personal care items and a handwritten note of encouragement from our founder, Dr. Tay.

These purses are more than just gifts. Each one tells the recipient We see you. You matter. Whether a woman is navigating homelessness, escaping abuse, or facing other challenges, this simple gesture offers both practical support and emotional encouragement.

Two women standing side by side in a living room holding handbags, with beige and brown couches and decorative wall signs behind them.

What is Inside Each Purse

● Toothbrush and toothpaste

● Lip balm or chap stick

● Lotion and soap

● Small hand sanitizer

● Deodorant

● Travel-size mouthwash

● A blank card with a personalized, handwritten message

● A small notebook

● Other personal hygiene items

The Impact

Purse With a Purpose not only strengthens our partnerships with local organizations, but it also profoundly touches the lives of the women who receive them. Time and again, we hear stories of how this small act of kindness reminds women of their worth, encourages resilience, and inspires hope for the future.

This Year

Purse with a Purpose continues to be one of WPRC’s most meaningful outreach initiatives. This year, 50 purses filled with essential personal care items were donated to The Crossing of Manitowoc County, providing practical support and encouragement to women in need. We are also grateful to Greenway Family Smiles, who donated toothbrush kits that will be included in future purses distributed through the program.

Woman smiling and holding two handbags, standing next to a table with bags and a box filled with miscellaneous items.

Get Involved

You can help support this initiative by donating purses or care kit items to make a difference in the life of a woman in need. Every contribution spreads love, encouragement, and hope.

Current and Past Collaborators

A stylized heart with layered colors in shades of blue, red, orange, and yellow.
The Salvation Army logo in red with a shield shape and white text
Logo featuring a tree with pink and black leaves, roots extending into an open book, surrounded by a purple circle, with the text 'Joyce's Legacy' below.
Logo for Greenway Family Dental with stylized leaf design above the text.
Logo with stylized leaf and cursive text reading 'First Care Clinic' in blue and gray colors.
Two illustrated hands, one orange and one purple, forming a heart shape with their palms. Below, the text reads 'Community Purse' in a handwritten style.