Bags to Butterflies

Material Goods/Craft/Flea/Art

Wayne County, MI 48211

Bags to Butterflies

Material Goods/Craft/Flea/Art

About

Bags to Butterflies is a Detroit-based social enterprise that empowers formerly incarcerated women with transitional employment, resources and a caring network to assist the ladies on their journey to success. We are taking (what we believe) is an innovative approach to create jobs using a very common women's accessory---a handbag.

Our handmade handbags are one-of-a-kind and created using repurposed wood. We selected this material to demonstrate how something (or someone) deemed as having no value can be transformed into something new and beautiful. The ladies are shown how that same transformation can take place in their lives. By the way, our handbags are versatile and can be displayed as a decorative art piece or used as a jewelry or keepsake box.

Programs and Partners

Location

Detroit, MI

Manager

Michelle Smart
Growing up in Detroit’s Northend neighborhood, Michelle has always had a desire to give back to the community in which she lived.

Five years ago, Michelle founded Bags to Butterflies, a Detroit-based social enterprise that empowers formerly incarcerated women with transitional employment, resources and a wonderful caring network to assist the ladies on their journey to success immediately upon their return to the community from incarceration.

The concept of empowering women returning home from prison began in 2014 when the daughter of a close friend was incarcerated. As a result, Bags to Butterflies became the impetus for offering formerly incarcerated women resources to help them better their lives.

Contact

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