What is Julie’s Purse Project?

It is a passion project I started in the fall of 2015 and now a newly formed 501c3 nonprofit organization. The initial mission was to give back to those in need during the holidays. It has since grown into a year round non profit organization collecting new and gently used purses and filling the purses with essential items that women would want or need in their purses if they were starting over with nothing.

What Goes Inside of a Purse?

Anything you feel you would need if starting over with nothing, Toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, hair ties, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, comb, brush, new makeup, new lip balm, condoms, mittens, scarf, poncho and so much more.

Who Benefits from the Purses?

The filled purses are delivered to nonprofit organizations throughout Northern California directly helping and impacting the lives of sex trafficking and domestic violence survivors, women being released from incarceration, Camp Fire survivors and our homeless women.

How to Get Involved

Gather items to ship or order from Amazon and ship directly to:
Julie’s Purse Project
c/o Julie Nakayama
6565 Lou Place
Granite Bay, Ca 95746
All items are tax deductible.

Meet Julie Nakayama

Founder of Julie's Purse Project
Julie Nakayama

Julie Nakayama

Founder & President

I am happily married to my wonderful husband, CJ Nakayama. We reside in Granite Bay, California with our two sons, Jace (5) and Jude (3). In my “free” time I enjoy boating on Folsom Lake with my family, camping with my friends and helping our community through Julie’s Purse Project.

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Endorsements

Endorsements

Stand Up Placer

Stand Up Placer Staff is so grateful for Julie's Purse Project. We distribute the purses we receive to domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking victims who must often rebuild their lives from scratch after escaping life-threatening violence. A beautiful new purse filled with personal items can be a life-changing gift for a survivor. Thank you, Julie, for helping us continue to save lives by empowering survivors and educating communities to stand up to domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking!

Endorsements

Chicks in Crisis

Our organization helps lower socioeconomic status teen mothers and fathers who are in school with essential baby supplies. Julie’s purse project donates gently used or new purses with hygiene items in them which our clients can utilize all of the items included. We want to our families as much as we can, and partnering with other organizations allows us to do that. Thank you so much for your help!

Endorsements

The Lazarus Project and The Gathering Inn

The female guests of The Lazarus Project and The Gathering Inn that received purses from Julie’s Purse Project felt love, gratitude and pride. Carrying a beautiful purse filled with all the essentials a woman needs, gives them a sense of purpose and self-worth.
~ Trista Knox

Upcoming Events & News

3 Strands Global Foundation

Dropped off 20 purses to Kaitlyn at 3Strands Global based in El Dorado Hills this morning! 3Strands Global Foundation’s vision is a world free from human trafficking. 3SGF provides prevention education in the classroom, reintegrates survivors and Read more…

STAND UP AND RUN

Hey Purse Tribe! Some of my favorite girls and I are going to do this 5k on October 5th. Join us!!! It’s for a good cause! We will walk it, unless you want to run Read more…