At One Purse, we are dedicated to empowering women overcoming abuse, addiction, exploitation and trafficking. Penelope*, a scholarship recipient, has been on a journey of resilience, courage, and transformation.
As a child, she was denied the opportunity to attend school and was instead forced into labor and sex trafficking—a nightmare that extended into her early adulthood. Stripped of her dignity, Penelope still found the strength within herself to escape. At 23, she took her first steps toward healing and education—an opportunity she had never been given before.
“Being a student has not only given me my dignity, but it has also given me the ability to see how big God is and how much he cares for me. Even though I have seen the worst in my trauma, God has also shown me …how deeply he loves me. “
Since 2021, One Purse has had the privilege of supporting Penelope through our Restore Her Dream Fund scholarship program. With unwavering determination, she earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is now a PhD candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Because of One Purse, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and am able to pursue my dreams of not only creating a stable income for my family, but also specialize in traumatology.
Through education, Penelope reclaimed her dignity, discovered her worth, and embraced a future filled with hope. Today, she uses her story to inspire others, proving that healing and transformation are possible.
At One Purse, we believe education is more than the pursuit of knowledge—it is the key to reclaiming dignity, restoring hope, and empowering survivors to create new futures.
*Name and photo have been changed.