Hand bags of Hope co-founder, Jackie Bobcean (fourth from left), has been committed to supporting domestic abuse survivors for more than eight years. During that time she has travelled to shelters throughout the state delivering thousands of fully-stocked handbags…and hope. Pictured receiving a recent delivery of the purses to the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) are (from left) Jan Mancinelli, WRCNM executive director; Sue Bissell, WRCNM therapist; Deah Carey, WRCNM accounting assistant; and Jackie and Jeff Bobcean.

Handbags of Hope donated 75 handbags designated for domestic abuse survivors utilizing services at the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM). The southeast Michigan non-profit organization, recently featured in the online version of People Magazine, has consistently made deliveries of fully-stocked purses to the WRCNM for seven of the eight years she has been in operation.

The gently used and new handbags are donated to Handbags of Hope throughout the year. Volunteers from all walks of life, from the boy scouts to major corporations, help organize and fill the purses and totes with additional donated items such as a wallet, brush, hand lotion and chapstick. Some bags may even contain pajamas, slippers, gloves or a scarf.

“Their commitment to helping support survivors of domestic abuse and creating awareness of this pervasive problem is amazing,” said Jan Mancinelli, WRCNM executive director. “Their entire organization is composed of volunteers including the two co-founders, Jackie Bobcean and Lisa Kaufmann, who hand-deliver the purses to domestic abuse shelters throughout Michigan.”

Bobcean said the idea for Handbags of Hope came from talking with abuse survivors who often do not own a purse because of being in a highly controlled relationship. She indicated that at other times the women must leave to find a safe place very quickly and are unable to gather their personal belongings.

The handbags, totes and purses help battered women feel empowered, independent and they are meant to provide the daily necessities that some of us take for granted. Some of the purses may even contain a note of encouragement to let survivors know they are not alone. The gently-used purses essentially become a ‘handbag of hope’ to survivors.

Last year, the WRCNM provided counseling, support and advocacy to 588 survivors of domestic abuse, while 119 women and children were provided a secure and supportive place to reside at the Safe Home.

Those seeking services or information may contact the WRCNM’s 24-hour crisis and information line at (231) 347-0082 or (800) 275-1995.