A recent project was designed to assist women leaving prison in the Adelaide area. We had been inspired by a talk by Dot Stagg from Offenders’ Aid and Rehabilitation Services at a Business Meeting, and decided to support her work.
Our title “It’s in their bag!” reflects our pleasure in providing practical items and little touches of luxury for these women who often have nothing. We sourced large handbags through donations and careful shopping. A small committee worked diligently to gather purchased and donated goods and fill these bags.
The range of goods included toothbrushes and paste, shampoo and conditioner, hand cream, cleanser, emery boards, purse or wallet, and sometimes a scarf or lip gloss. Local businesses supported our cause too, as did our members with donations and effort.
Every bag was unique and designed to bring comfort to the women who received them. Some months after the conclusion of the project, we received a heart-warming message of thanks from one of the recipients. Among other things, she said that it was empowering to know that there was a group of strong women in the community, supporting her in this way.
The inspiring Dot Stagg previously from OARS.