Senator Cooney Announces $125,000 for New Cosmetology Training Program for Human Trafficking Survivors

(ROCHESTER, NY) - Today, Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) announced $125,000 in funding for Miss Julie’s School of Beauty. 

Data shows that many survivors of human trafficking are arrested for the very situation they were previously forced into, and therefore struggle to find employment due to previous convictions. Miss Julie’s Salon provides survivors and those at risk with an opportunity to earn a cosmetology license and enter into a rewarding career, at no cost to them. Because an NYS-granted cosmetology license removes the necessity of a background check, graduates are free to pursue an independent living without the necessity of explaining their traumatic history.

Grant funding will be used to build-out a space for the cosmetology school in the historic Sibley Building in Downtown Rochester. Once completed, the school will provide instruction to an estimated 8-16 students at a time, through a 10-month course of study, including hands-on training. 

“Julie Chapus is continuing Rochester’s proud history of innovation,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney. “This new cosmetology school will create a model for the nation in how to provide safety and economic independence to survivors of human trafficking who have suffered deeply traumatic experiences. I am very proud to have secured New York State funding for this school, and look forward to its future success.”

“I’d like to thank Senator Cooney and the State of New York for helping us build this school, the first of its kind in the nation, right here in Rochester,” said Julie Chapus, LMSW, Director & Founder, Miss Julie’s School of Beauty. “This program will change many lives and give people a bright hope for the future, where there was none. It will build up our community and give our students the tools they need to thrive for years to come.” 

“Winn Companies is grateful to Julie for choosing Sibley Square to create Miss Julie's School of Beauty”, said Ken Greene, Winn Companies. “Such important work! It’s consistent with the mission of Sibley Square’s focus on Innovation, Education and Incubation and aligns perfectly with Winn Companies ethos of doing well by doing good.”

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