Welcome to #LovePurse

"It's not just a purse".  It's more than that. It can sometimes hold our most precious items. Photos, makeup, nail file, ID's, cash, pain relievers, keys, rosary, etc. We can all remember our first purse and what it represented.  Something important that we needed every time we walked out the door.  Losing it meant losing a part of you. Having to leave it behind, devastating! That's why these purses hold so much meaning to the women they are gifted to. Each purse is filled with inspiration and intention to make each woman feel loved, valued and respected. Please note that only new purses and new toiletries are accepted. All gently used purses will be donated to Goodwill.

 Make A Donation

 This was SUCH a lovely thing that you did for DuPage Pads. I went back to our intake office with the purses, and there was actually a woman in intake who needed a #LovePurse when I arrived in the space. And for women coming into our hotel-based shelter, especially those who have had to flee a situation of domestic violence, basic feminine resources are an enormous help. So often, these women in our care are staying with us because they needed to choose between leaving everything behind and losing their lives. They are starting their lives over, oftentimes with children alongside them, and a #LovePurse can be a first step in regaining hope. 

April Redzik

President & CEO 

"The #LovePurse  campaign has provided Family Shelter Services - Metropolitan Family Shelter DuPage with a wonderful opportunity to support our clients and our community members, with compassion, dignity and respect. Whether it is a single parent in our early childhood program, a survivor in our domestic violence or homeless shelters, or a client struggling with their mental health; together, we are able to let them know we see them and they matter to us; all while providing a message of hope and encouragement"

Nikki Cameron

Executive Director

"Maria held a fantastic #LovePurse event that brought together an awesome group of like minded individuals to give back to our community in a very unique way. Mutual Ground received an entire SUV load of purses donated for the clients we serve. Mutual Ground provides domestic/sexual violence and addiction services throughout the Southern Kane and Kendall Counties. These NEW purses, filled with toiletries, cash, gift cards, and handwritten notes of inspiration from the donors, were given to our clients who were so incredibly grateful to be able to pick out a new purse and feel the individual love and support that came with each one".

Michelle Meyer, MBA

Executive Director

 "We had a lot of excitement over the purses at the Community Crisis Center in the resident area and with some of our regular walk-in clients who depend on us for a variety of needs. One family was thrilled to receive two #Love Purse tote bags for mom and daughter; daughter was very happy that she had extra toiletry items to help her get through the first few weeks of high school. Another resident remarked that she “had not had a new purse in years, and now I look pretty stylish). According to our case managers, a few of the women remarked on "how nice the notes of inspiration cards were that were in the purses". One resident teared up and said that "it was nice to feel special". 

Melissa Owens

Interim Executive Director

Community Crisis Center

  “Abusers make their victims feel like they are worthless and no one cares about them. They often leave with only the clothes on their back; no toiletries bag, sometimes not even their purse. Knowing that someone took the time to put together this special #LovePurse helps them realize that people do care about their wellbeing, the wellbeing of their children, and want them to succeed. Family Rescue is here to help these victims” 

Katie Nicholson

Interim Chief Development Officer

Family Rescue

“WOW! Maria’s unstoppable persistence and compassion for women has inspired a movement called the #LOVEPURSE, we were so excited to help kick it off and be a part of its success in helping women in need get the love they need to rebuild their lives with pride and purpose!  At A Safe Haven, we have the privilege of helping women, and mothers with children suffering from homelessness, addiction, domestic violence and more get their lives back on track in a way that allows them to take care of themselves and their children with jobs and permanent housing. Throughout the weeks leading up to #LOVEPURSE day at A Safe Haven, we were amazed at all of the purses that were arriving daily in the mail and through personal deliveries!  It was inspiring to see how many people participated in this absolutely beautiful event that allowed us to be able to hand out hundreds of brand new purses filled with all of the essentials a woman needs to feel clean and fresh, along with the personalized  notes from the donors that made them feel truly special and loved. Witnessing the joy these women expressed upon receiving their gifts will be moments we will cherish forever! 

Neli Vasquez-Rowland

President & Founder

A Safe Haven

Since 1978 Yellow Brick House has provided life-saving services and prevention programs to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, and communities impacted by violence. 1 in 3 women are affected by violence and in Ontario, femicide rates have increased by approximately 53% in the past year (2020-2021).

"We are grateful to the Women In Leadership Empowered and #LovePurse for supporting the women and children we serve.   Financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases and three out of four victims said they stayed with their abusers longer for economic reasons.  The generous gift of gift cards and purses will give the power back to women to buy what they need, when they need it.

Thank you for helping women and children begin their journeys towards lives free from violence".

Pamela Deveaux, Manager Fund Development

Yellow Brick House

"Break the Silence Foundation" 

"BTSF is thrilled to have partnered with Maria Castro and her awesome organization, #LovePurse. #LovePurse came straight from her beautiful heart, and has changed thousands of women’s lives that are mentally and emotionally broken due to domestic violence. We witnessed an incredible  community response on the night of Dec 2, 2021, where several  hundreds of #LovePurses were collected. The First Lady of the City of Berwyn, Gail Lovero, teamed up with her incredible supporters to make this happen. Gail planned, organized, and hosted this amazing event that benefited BTSF, it was a huge success! Each purse was filled with toiletries, but also, filled with love, compassion, rosaries, prayers, and notes of inspiration. The reaction of the victims and survivors of domestic violence that received a #LovePurse, PRICELESS!  We look forward to continuing to help others with #LovePurses filled with LOVE!"   

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!💞

Maribel Garcia, President & Founder 

Break The Silence Foundation

"Sarah's Inn is so grateful to #LovePurse for your thoughtful and heartfelt support!  The individualized purses filled with basic necessities, toiletries, handwritten notes and lots of love will most definitely bring a smile to our client's faces this Holiday season. Thank you for your compassion and for bringing hope to those we serve!" 

 Carol Gall, Executive Director

Sarah's Inn

When new residents come to Magdalene House Chicago, sometimes we have a week to prepare and sometimes we have a night to prepare. #LovePurse helps out so much with transitioning women into our program. It gives them the things they need to feel normal and settle into their new environment. Settling in can be scary and all of the newness is often overwhelming. So having a few things that are just your own can be so grounding as residents step in to the first day of their new journeys of recovery, hope, and healing.

Ida Butler, Executive Director, Magdalene House Chicago

Thank you to #LovePurse and founder Maria Castro for all of her support. Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry hosted its first #LovePurse campaign during Women's International Month. The Aurora community's outpoured their love, kindness and support by delivering purses to our food pantry.

We received 150 purses with many so many much needed items in each purse. We distributed purses to both of our food pantry sites. Seeing the faces of these beautiful ladies receive their purses was priceless. We saw many tears and heard many thank you / gracias.

MWFP continues to do the work of Mrs. Wilkinson providing for the most vulnerable family if it's with food, clothing or shelters.

" God chose me not to sit around, but to help people. As long as I'm living on this earth, I'm going to keep doing what I have to do."  MARIE WILKINSON

Diane Renner - Executive Director

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

"Each year, Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home) celebrates the holiday season with our program participants, adult and child survivors of gender-based violence, and their families with donated gifts from our community of supporters. We are so grateful to The Love Purse Organization for the donation of purses this year. These purses signify dignity and hope, and will be welcomed by our participants as a treasured item in their journeys of healing, rebuilding and restoration. Thank you! Thank you once again for the support and making it easy for the pick up.

Neha Gill - Executive Director

Apna Ghar

“Your purses provide dignity and hope for survivors and victims of human trafficking. We so appreciate your generosity and support in helping our outreach teams and survivors with these gifts of love and encouragement. Thanks for partnering with us! “

 Sam W - Human Trafficking Survivor Advocate and Co-Founder

Rahab's Daughters  

 “YWCA Evanston/North Shore is grateful for donations from Love Purse for the clients we serve at Mary Lou’s Place, our safe haven for survivors of domestic violence. Our clients are often feeling scared and vulnerable when they seek out our care, and the Love Purses helped them feel safe and cared for. Thank you for spreading love to women who need it most!”

Hillary Douin

   Director, Domestic Violence

   YWCA Evanston/North Shore

 ““Thank you so much for the wonderful Love Purse donations to our STOP IT drop-in center. This gives us the ability to meet folks basic needs in a more glamorous and fun way. Community donations show our participants that there is a lot of love in our world and provides the message that people are rooting for them in their journey.”

Sam Baeten

   Assistant Program Manager

STOP-IT Program

   The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division

 "Receiving a Love Purse will mean so much to the women of the WINGS Program because many of our moms come to us with nothing but the clothes on their back. Although we provide the necessities such as shampoo and towels, it is nice to also receive a beautiful new purse, which is where most of us keep our important items"

Tabitha Nilson

In-Kind Program & Donations Supervisor

WINGS Program, Inc.

 " The variety and style of these purses are so nice and fashion forward, not to mention the generous contents in each of them.  This is exactly what can help our clients in their time of need; to have some much needed essentials and thoughtful gifts.   Some of the clients we serve flee the horrors of domestic violence with no belongings.  These #LovePurses will be such a wonderful gift for them.  We are extremely grateful, thank you again!"

Jane Ukleja

Chief Development Officer

Guardian Angel Community Services

 Thank you, Love Purse, for your amazing donation of purses and basic needs.  These items will impact the lives of our clients in so many ways. For people experiencing homelessness, having access to purses where they can carry their personal items is very important, as many do not have a secure space to properly store them. In addition, having a beautiful purse means more than that. It provides a sense of glamour and allows the person to not feel stigmatized by their clothing.

Julio Flores

Associate Director of Youth Development

Howard Brown Health,

Broadway Youth Center

  "We were so surprised when we received 56 beautiful #LovePurses. All the staff and volunteers were delighted to see such a thoughtful donation. Each came with a wonderful variety of personal care products plus an encouraging note. They arrived just before Easter weekend and our clients were overjoyed. Two of them went to a couple of tweens – they were their first real purses. Thank you for your compassion, kindness, generosity, and love. We are sure they will never forget your generous gift, and neither will we". 

Nancy Wiersum

Executive Vice President, Advancement

Loaves & Fishes 

"It has been truly remarkable, stretching far beyond the provision of a mere purse (#LovePurse), especially since these gestures of love went to migrants and asylum seekers. With your support, we have not only gifted these women their very first purse on American soil, but also a symbol of care, affection, and empowerment. Witnessing the transformative power of these purses has been nothing short of gratifying. As women try on these purses, there's a momentary shift where they blossom into their true selves, radiating a sense of recognition and confidence. Amidst this heartwarming journey, we've also had the privilege of translating the touching messages tucked within the purses – messages brimming with genuine warmth and positivity that resonate deeply. Your generosity has initiated a wave of change that reaches far beyond the material, creating a tapestry woven with love, dignity, and the unwavering belief in the beauty of these women's lives. You should be very proud that your love reached 150 hearts in the following locations.

Piotrowski Park—Shelter

District 12 Police Station

District 11Police Station

Enlace lead respites sites

New Life Centers lead respites

ShowerUP received all flipflops and shower soaps 

Karina Ayala-Bermejo, CEO

Instituto del Progreso Latino

"The ladies were highly excited and surprised to get such beautiful #LovePurse with all the fantastic items. They all said it would be the only Mother's Day gift they would receive. 

In the words of some..." I never received a Mother's Day gift", another said "I never expect anything for Mother's Day", and another said "the best Mother's Day ever"! 

The Brunch with all the gifts was a complete success. Thank you for what you do! Blessings.

Linda Offray, CEO

Shepherd's Door

 Urban Resource Institute (URI) is grateful to #LovePurse and Cutters Studios for their generosity. The purses were donated to URI’s domestic violence survivors residing in one of our People and Animals Lively Safely (PALS) sites. Thank you for sharing our mission to end domestic violence and homelessness, and help URI drive positive change for the clients and communities we serve. 

Vicky Hernandez - Chief Development Officer

Urban Resource Institute

 At Hesed House, we seek to serve the absolute most vulnerable men, women, and kiddos by providing not only basic resources, but also hope and dignity.  That Mission of service would not be possible without the amazing work and partnership of #LovePurse.  Their purse donations not only provide critically needed supplies, toiletries, hygiene products, and resources for guests, but they also bring hope and re-affirm the humanity and self-worth in so many who desperately need it.  It is right there in the name – these purses and resources are packed with love and ensure our guests know, no matter what they have been through up until that point, there are people in this world who truly love and care for them.  Thank you #LovePurse for all you do to care for those in need and make our world a better place! 

Thank you again!

 Joe Jackson, Executive Director

Hesed House 

 “For survivors of domestic violence to receive #LovePurses filled with essentials like toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, and love, helps remind them that they are not alone. Thank you for encouraging and supporting them and Sojourner so beautifully!”  

Cherie Paust Swenson

Vice President & Chief Development Officer

Sojourner Peace Center

The #LovePurse campaign truly lives up to its name. The purses you generously donated have not only provided essential items but have also served as a powerful reminder to survivors of domestic violence that they are valued and supported on their journey to healing. The women we serve have shared how much they felt uplifted, loved, and cared for by receiving these thoughtful gifts during their challenging times.

Through your kindness, you've shown them that they are not alone and that there are people who genuinely care about their well-being. This simple gesture speaks volumes about our collective commitment to making a difference. A heartfelt thank you to Maria for initiating this campaign and to Hooters of Orland Park for selecting our organization for this initiative. On behalf of everyone at FLOW Foundation Inc., I want to extend our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this meaningful campaign.

 Kisha Barrett, Executive Director

FLOW (For Lives of Women)

 Alternatives For Girls is grateful for the donation of purses from #LovePurse.  A purse may be seen as a fashion statement by many, but it is so much more than that for the young women we serve who have been living on the streets.  It is something to call their own, to hold their most prized possessions they have carried along with them, sometimes for days or even years.  Thank you so much #LovePurse.  Your generosity is more than a handbag, it is the invaluable gift of being seen and valued. 

Dr. Celia Thomas, COO

Alternatives For Girls

Thank you to #LovePurse and founder Maria Castro for all her support. At Arab American Family Services, we believe in empowering survivors who have experienced the trauma of domestic abuse. By partnering with #LovePurse, we seek to give autonomy back to victims of abuse by helping them rebuild and find hope for their future endeavors.  The purses distributed by #LovePurse were more than just a practical accessory; they contained feminine products, deodorant, soaps, hairbrushes, and other essential hygiene items. When a woman leaves an abusive situation, she often has to leave many things behind. This loss of personal items can devastate and impact their sense of self. This service helped women move forward by providing them with everyday essentials that empower their daily routines.

#LovePurse provides clients with more than just a purse- it symbolizes hope, resilience, and a pathway toward a brighter future. 

Sabrina Makhamreh, M.S.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Department Supervisor 

Arab American Family Services

 All amazing women from Scale Up Coaching came together to not only learn about the work being done at Lake County Haven, but also to create #LovePurse(s) for our residents.  These purses, while not only beautiful (and functional in-and-of themselves), were so thoughtfully filled with items that will be so helpful for, and specifically tailored to, the women who come to Lake County Haven.  Not only are they filled with daily necessities like full-sized shampoo/conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste, but they also included USB drives to help our women in their job search, glass nail files they will be able to use for years to come, and a note of encouragement, from one woman to another, in this very difficult time.  Thank you so much for helping make this possible for our residents.  New residents will receive one of these purses on her bed the first day she arrives at the Haven, welcoming her to her new home and the next chapter in her life. 

Kate Ceithaml

Philanthropy Coordinator

Lake County Haven