High School Student Creates 'Bravery Bags' for Domestic Abuse Survivors

Karolina Minasyan's Eagle Scout project provides essential items to help victims feel safe and supported at a Baltimore medical center.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:02am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a toiletry kit or 'Bravery Bag' filled with essential items repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the comfort and care provided to domestic abuse survivors.A student-led initiative provides essential 'Bravery Bags' to empower domestic abuse survivors with dignity and hope.Baltimore Today

A Hereford High School senior named Karolina Minasyan has created 'Bravery Bags' filled with toiletries and other essential items to support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault who seek care at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center's SAFE Suite. Minasyan was inspired to take on this project as part of her journey to become an Eagle Scout, raising funds from the community to assemble 150 bags that provide comfort and dignity to victims in a time of crisis.

Why it matters

The SAFE Suite at GBMC offers a private, secure environment for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse to receive comprehensive medical care and support services. By providing these 'Bravery Bags' filled with basic necessities, Minasyan's project helps ensure that survivors who arrive at the SAFE Suite with nothing can feel a sense of care, empowerment, and hope during a traumatic experience.

The details

Karolina Minasyan, a senior at Hereford High School, joined the Scouts in 8th grade and was on her way to becoming an Eagle Scout by 10th grade. After learning about the SAFE Program at GBMC through a presentation, she decided to create the 'Bravery Bags' as her Eagle Scout project. Minasyan raised around $500 from the community to purchase toiletries, hygiene products, and other essential items, then assembled the bags with help from her Scout troop. The bags are now available for distribution to survivors who receive care at the SAFE Suite.

  • Karolina Minasyan joined the Scouts in 8th grade.
  • By 10th grade, Minasyan was on her way to becoming an Eagle Scout.
  • Minasyan was inspired to create the 'Bravery Bags' after learning about the SAFE Program at GBMC.
  • Minasyan raised around $500 from the community to purchase items for the bags.
  • Minasyan and her Scout troop assembled 150 'Bravery Bags' to be delivered to the SAFE Suite.

The players

Karolina Minasyan

A senior at Hereford High School who created the 'Bravery Bags' as her Eagle Scout project to support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Kelly Truax

A community outreach coordinator with GBMC's SAFE Domestic Violence and Child Protection Program, which treats victims of sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, and intimate partner violence.

GBMC's SAFE Domestic Violence and Child Protection Program

A program at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center that provides a safe, soothing environment and comprehensive care for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse.

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What they’re saying

“We knew that we don't want to do these exams up in the emergency department. We want our patients to feel safe. We want to create a soothing environment.”

— Kelly Truax, Community Outreach Coordinator, GBMC's SAFE Domestic Violence and Child Protection Program

“Every patient that comes in, if they need a bag, if they need some toiletries, we're able to offer that to them and we're able to offer it to children as well.”

— Kelly Truax, Community Outreach Coordinator, GBMC's SAFE Domestic Violence and Child Protection Program

“I knew I wanted to give back to women in some way. As a woman in scouting and how scouting was not allowed for women until 2019, it's something that I really wanted to do and give back to my community and focus my efforts into that.”

— Karolina Minasyan

“My hope is that every person who comes and receives a bag like this and any resources from the SAFE Program is to allow them to feel a little bit more dignity within themselves and also just feel like this is not the end of the road for them and that there are better things and a light coming in their room.”

— Karolina Minasyan

What’s next

The SAFE Program at GBMC continues to provide free and confidential support services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse. Individuals in need of help can report directly to the GBMC emergency department or call 443-849-3323 to access the program's resources.

The takeaway

Karolina Minasyan's 'Bravery Bags' project demonstrates how a single student's compassion and community-driven initiative can make a meaningful difference in the lives of domestic abuse survivors. By providing essential items and a sense of dignity, the bags offer comfort and hope to victims during a traumatic time, highlighting the power of small acts of kindness to uplift and empower those in need.