Miss Julie’s School of Beauty Breaks Ground to Empower Survivors of Human Trafficking
- Community Submission
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, the first cosmetology school in the nation specifically designed for survivors of human trafficking, celebrated its groundbreaking ceremony on March 28 in Rochester’s historic Sibley Building.
The school is made possible through $284,000 in state funding secured by Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester). Its unique, trauma-informed program offers therapeutic cosmetology training, empowering survivors with the tools to achieve financial independence and personal healing.
“Senator Cooney recognized the importance of our mission from the start,” said founder Julie Chapus. “His support has helped turn our vision into reality.”
The program provides free training that leads to New York State cosmetology licensure—removing common employment obstacles such as criminal records. This opens doors to stable, well-paying careers that support long-term recovery, family reunification, and self-sufficiency.
“Julie Chapus and her team are building a model that other communities can follow,” said Senator Cooney. “This is about more than a school—it’s about providing safety, dignity, and a future for survivors.”
Mayor Malik D. Evans hailed the project as a powerful investment in community resilience. “Miss Julie’s is creating pathways to economic independence for some of our most vulnerable residents,” he said. “We’re proud to support this milestone.”
Ken Greene, director of commercial development at WinnCompanies, welcomed the school to Sibley Square, highlighting it as part of a broader public-private effort to revitalize downtown Rochester.
Miss Julie’s School of Beauty is more than an educational program—it’s a beacon of hope. Designed around the specific needs of trafficking survivors, it transforms trauma into opportunity, one student at a time.
For many victims of trafficking, their circumstances may lead to arrests, creating criminal records that make finding sustainable employment nearly impossible. New York’s cosmetology licensure helps bypass this hurdle, allowing survivors to pursue a career without employer background checks. With no cost to students, the school provides a life-changing pathway toward independent living, recovery, and family stability.
To learn more, visit: https://www.missjuliesschoolofbeauty.org
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