Funding Futures

Since 2012, Purses with Purpose has provided more than financial aid to women students at ECC. It has created a vibrant community of support, mentorship, and inspiration.

Stewarded by the ECC Foundation and led by retired ECC business professor Sharon Fisher-Larson, Purses with Purpose is the college’s largest giving circle. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually are invited to participate in the program’s in-person interviews with scholarship applicants, where women students share their stories, goals, and dreams directly with those funding their futures.

“It’s about showing up, listening to these students, believing in their potential, and being there for them throughout their journeys,” said Bonita Goist, manager of alumni and affinity relations. 

To date, Purses with Purpose has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships to 138 students, many of whom are first-generation college students, working mothers, or adult learners returning to school to improve life for themselves and their families. Scholarships are funded through donations and an endowed scholarship fund. A committee determines how much to award each year based on the cohort’s size and needs. This year’s $20,000 allocation is slightly higher than last year’s and provided scholarships for 10 students.

But what makes this program truly transformative is what happens after the award. The mentorship component pairs donors with scholars, building relationships that extend far beyond the classroom. 

A Safe Place to Land

As a then-single mother raising a nonverbal, autistic six-year-old son, 2024 Purses scholarship recipient Raymesha “Ray” Henry juggled far more than academics during her time at ECC. Living in Carpentersville, managing car troubles, and recovering from a car accident, she navigated the demands of parenting, college, and her own goals. 

Henry became a leader in ECC’s Black Student Achievers, participated in the TRiO program, earned ECC Foundation scholarships, and was part of the inaugural cohort that helped launch the college’s Center for Civic Engagement — a program that teaches students to become thoughtful and engaged civic leaders. Even with her involvement and personal drive, she longed for something more, which she found through Purses with Purpose. 

“This financial opportunity turned into a bigger opportunity because I was able to network and make connections with a diverse group of women,” she said. 

She was paired with a mentor, ECC Senior Director of Marketing Strategy Ashley Zeman, who offered empathy, encouragement, and a safe space to be herself. 

“She didn't try to fix everything,” Henry said. “She just showed up, and that made all the difference.”

After graduating in May with an Associate in Science degree, Henry is continuing forensic psychology studies with a minor in criminology at Northern Illinois University. She’s moving forward with a renewed confidence, and the support system she once hoped for is now firmly in place. 

Mentors Who Inspire and are Inspired

For ECC employee and Henry’s mentor Ashley Zeman, joining Purses with Purpose was a way to give back, but it ended up giving her something too.

“I initially signed up because I was looking for a meaningful way to support female students at ECC,” Zeman said. “I didn’t expect how much I would gain from the experience personally.”

Zeman described being continually inspired by Henry’s passion, drive, and resilience. “Being a mentor has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges our students face,” she said. “It creates a lasting bond.”

Retired educator and second-year mentor Donna Bolz is inspired by the diversity and courage of scholars, from recent graduates to mothers. She stays connected with her mentee, encouraging confidence step by step. For Bolz, mentoring means being a cheerleader, believing in others and nurturing growth.

A Lifelong Circle

Each year, past and current scholars are invited to reconnect at events like a fall meet-and-greet and holiday celebration. When scholars graduate, they’re presented with a symbolic “dream bracelet” representing their lifelong place in the Purses with Purpose circle.

“This is one of the most personal and inspiring scholarship programs we have,” Goist said. “You see your gift’s impact firsthand, not just in dollars, but in confidence, ambition, and belonging.”

To learn more about Purses with Purpose or how to get involved, visit elgin.edu/foundation.