For years the Young Women's Christian Association has been an alternative for hundreds of young women in search of marketable skills. More than one hundred students have graduated from its cosmetology program alone. But this year, there is a new twist to the cosmetology course because the class of 2007 is getting experience like no other has before. Here's more.
Keith Swift Reporting
Trust me when I say that 18 year old Ashley Berry has come long way to today where she is doing something that she loves: making people beautiful.
Ashley Berry, Student
"I like doing this. I perm, dye, fix hair, and all the stairs in the hair."
Keith Swift,
So is that what you want to be when you grow up?
Ashley Berry,
"Yes sir."
Ashley is one of 15 cosmetology students who are now getting real time, on the job training in their own full service salon. It's called Bella Expressions and its located in the YWCA Building. Betty Fairweather was the first customer after today's grand launch and she got the full works: a fresh perm and a pedicure. The second customer was 7NEWS cameraman Fortunato Noble. I turned the camera on him as he got a hair cut. The jury may be out on Noble but Fairweather was satisfied.
Betty Fairweather,
"I think the YWCA is doing an excellent job for these young girls because what else would they be doing if the Y didn't have them doing this. I think its first class and I come here to the beauty parlor and they are excellent and on par with any other."
Sharon Tillet instructs the girls. She says the main objective of the program is giving them something to do while providing a top quality service.
Sharon Tillet,
"We want the women out there to know that you can come in, get a new look, the girls are very professional, they are well trained, and they work under supervision."
Fiona Welch,
"I am very very sure that I know what I am doing because I started this from about eleven years old and I was able to do a lot of stuff out there before I started the Y and now I think I am a professional. I love doing hair and nails and I think its going to be good for me in my future."
A future in a job they love and for which they will get paid.
The salon has been operating for about two years but it got a facelift this year with funding from the OPEC Fund. The young ladies don't get paid but rather profits are put in a revolving fund. Opening hours for Bella Expressions are from 8 am to 3:30 in the afternoon.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
