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| Graduates from the WCCW's cosmetology program clap during their graduation ceremony Jan. 8. Clover Park Technical College has been providing this program in partnership with WCCW since 1996. |
By: Melissa R. Johnson,
Administrative Assistant
Washington Corrections Center for Women
On Jan.8, 15 students
graduated from the Washington Corrections Center for Women's cosmetology
program. As more people become interested in fashion, style and cultural
trends, the beauty industry is a perfect opportunity for successful reentry. What
better way to deter offender idleness than to provide creative freedom and the ability
for offenders to forge their own career paths?
In 1996, Washington
Corrections Center for Women and Clover Park Technical College joined together
to implement the two-year program in which students have the opportunity to
earn their cosmetology licensing requirements. Participants must already have
their GED and be major infraction-free within 90 days of their applications. Cosmetology
covers a broad range of professions, from barber or hairstylist to manicurist
or makeup artist and several others in between. Different licensing and
training requirements exist for each occupation. At Washington Corrections
Center for Women, students learn how to run a salon business, how to handle
infectious disease and, most of all, safety. They also learn basic facials, manicures,
pedicures, color, cuts, perms and scalp massage. This curriculum provides
opportunities for women to learn job skills and gain important experience in
the cosmetology field.
“I have been in the
cosmetology field for several years, and used to be an educator for Regis
Corporation, traveling all
around the West coast, teaching advanced technique and current trends,” said
cosmetology instructor Barbara Frink. “I find working here at WCCW for the past
four years to be the most rewarding in my career. To see the women change, grow
and gain confidence is remarkable."
“The cosmetology program at
WCCW has impacted my life so much,” said offender Jennifer Lowe. “I have a new
view on life with a great career ahead of me. I’ve done great things with my
time here, and am very happy to have been able to experience this.”
“For this first time in my
life, I was congratulated for my academic achievement and am on the president’s
list at Clover Park Technical College,” added offender Jonee Rucker. “I owe my
success to my teacher Barbara Frink for being a patient and compassionate
teacher. This program has changed my life.”
Staff members are very proud
of the accomplishments their programs provide the offenders. Over the past four
years, half of the offenders who have participated in this program have
received their licenses and a third of the graduates are practicing in salons
throughout Washington State.
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