Each bag represents Courtney, the founder Patricia Brusha’s daughter, who died suddenly and tragically at 28 years of age on June 4, 2019 from stage 4 liver cirrhosis. Courtney struggled with addiction and lost her battle from years of alcohol abuse.

When Courtney would be getting out of Rehab, she would call her mother Patricia and ask her to buy her a purse! “Mom they are only giving me a plastic grocery bag to carry my stuff out,” Courtney said, “and I don’t think that’s a good ‘first impression’ of my new life!” Patricia responded with a joke saying, “Soooo, you want to make a good ‘purse-impression?’”

That’s how the name
“Purse-Impressions” came to be.

The first thing that goes into every purse (and backpack) is Love!

Hand stuffed by volunteers our purses are lovingly created from a combination of donated items and additional items that are purchased. All purses include hygiene kits (shampoo, crème rinse, deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste, soap and lotion) makeup, jewelry, journal, affirmation cards and a treat. We want them to feel special and know someone cares about them.

What’s in the Men’s Backpacks?
Men’s backpacks are purchased with proceeds from the Boutique. We do not receive many backpack donations. They are filled with men’s hygiene, journals, affirmation cards and socks.

All purses and backpacks have a copy of Courtney’s Story.

Since 2019, Purse-Impressions has made over 7300 donations to numerous rehabs in Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Virginia, and Canada.

Currently, Purse-Impressions has ongoing programs in Arizona with Crossroads, Inc., Community Bridges Inc., Arizona Women’s Recovery Center, and Hushabye Nursery.

The four facilities have 18 different campus facilities that Purse-Impressions supports with their programs. Purses and backpacks are donated quarterly or as needed, with annual donations on Mother’s Day and the Holiday Season.