Jayla Pitts’ plate is full. She’s on the soccer team and excelling in fifth grade at Montclair Kimberley Academy,. Her nonprofit organization, Project Beautiful, is also flourishing in its third year.
Project Beautiful is an initiative Pitts started in 2021, at the age of seven. The organization creates “beautiful bags” filled with beauty and hygiene products for women and children in shelters. Last year, the nonprofit raised $12,500 and delivered over 600 bags of products to local New Jersey shelters.
Pitts also donated 100 bags of beauty products for teenage girls attending a career fair summit.
In addition to receiving donations from those in the community, Project Beautiful partnered with brands such as Unilever, SkinSplendid, and Jones Road Beauty.
Pitts isn’t the only charitable youngster in her family. Last year, the Pitts family started The JP3 Foundation Inc. to further their non-profit work. The Foundation is currently awaiting approval of its 501(c)(3)/tax-exempt status. Pitts’ sister, Julianna, hosts toy drives to benefit children receiving IV infusion medication at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC (Hackensack). Her brother, Jack, has held a coat and winter clothing drive benefiting local charities such as Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children and Toni’s Kitchen for the last five years.
New Year, More Giving
This year, Project Beautiful aims to be even more successful. Though only three months into 2024, Pitts and her family are busy giving back to the community. Pitts has gifted over 500 “beautiful bags” and boxes to various shelters. She also received a donation of over 850 pounds of sunscreens, glow sticks, shimmer shades and mineral balms from Supergoop! French Luxury brand L’Occitane also donated soaps, shampoos, and conditioners to the nonprofit.
On Valentine’s Day, Pitts partnered with Montclair Diner to serve breakfast to women and children who live in Hope’s Residence at Eva’s Village, a halfway house in Paterson. Project Beautiful provided their signature bags; Montclair Diner provided the food.
“It was an amazing breakfast. All the ladies and the kids were having so much fun. We gave the kids toys, and we gave the moms the bags. They really liked them,” she said. “I was super happy because I was able to see them opening the bags. It put a smile on my face.”
Pitts is also partnering with Unilever, the parent company of Dove and Axe, to provide shower products at the Salvation Army Montclair Citadel. “It’s nice and it’s fun. Jayla’s having a great time, and as her mom, I love to see her get so much support,” Raina Pitts, Jayla’s mom, said.
Dr. Tyra Manso of Montclair Pediatric Dental donated hundreds of pediatric and adult toothbrushes to Project Beautiful. Some toothbrushes immediately went to Family Promise of Essex County.
Pitts has involved her classmates in charitable activities. All three campuses of Montclair Kimberley Academy supported Project Beautiful in a donations drive. Students purchased deodorants, body washes, lotions, and other products for shelters.
Jayla’s Dream
The fifth grader wants to expand her nonprofit throughout New Jersey. Pitts has donated bags to The Alcove Center in South Jersey.
Pitts also wants to go beyond physical giving and hold seminars where women can learn self-care practices.
“We want to remind women they are beautiful,” Pitts said. “And people are thinking about you and all those positive affirmations because the women in these situations really need it.”
Project Beautiful welcomes donations such as new and unopened lotions, soaps, hair products, perfumes, sunscreen, feminine products, oral hygiene products, and more. Donations can be sent to Project Beautiful, c/o The JP3 Foundation, Inc.
41 Watchung Plaza Box #307 Montclair, New Jersey 07042.
Monetary donations can be sent via Venmo at the handle @TheJP3Foundation. Zelle contributions can be directed to: Projectbeautifulservice@gmail.com
(Project Beautiful is enrolled under Raina M. Johnson.)
Checks can be made payable to “Project Beautiful.”
For more information on Project Beautiful, visit its Instagram page, @ProjectBeautiful_Service.
What an uplifting story of good will for others. Much gratitude, congratulations and best wishes, Jayla Pitts, for all of the good that you and your family do! FGG MKA ’76
Excellent work, Jayla Pitts! Many thanks for your kindheartedness.