Career program grads get hair jobs
June 16, 2006
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon @ fredericknewspost . com
FREDERICK — Flat irons steamed over tightly curled hair as trained hands applied earth tones to cheek bones. Women joked with hair and makeup artists and talked about their children.
"Catherine gets her Barbie doll head and just goes to town," Barbara Frankel, 34, said about how her 12-year-old plays beauty shop.
It's a common scene in beauty shops, but this was no hair salon.
About 20 graduates of the Frederick Department of Social Services Bridges program were expected to receive a hair styling and makeover Thursday at the department's headquarters. The free treatments were provided by students at The Temple Academy, a cosmetology school.
The event celebrated the achievements of the 69 students who have completed a weeklong job skills program since January.
Since 1996, Bridges has trained participants how to find and keep jobs. The training includes resume development, mock interviews and emotional support. The program is mandatory for people who get government aid for things such as housing and food; others join voluntarily.
Christine Kernwein, one of the program coordinators, said the self-esteem of Bridges students improves as they learn job skills.
"It's amazing to see how much they can grow in just a few weeks," she said. "You know it's there, but it's nice to see when they tap into that skill."
Whitney Rich, 19, tapped in on her third day in the program in March when she was hired as a collector by JP Morgan Chase.
"Christine is so energetic, she makes you believe that the Bridges program is just a stepping-stone," Ms. Rich said. "This program really put me on my feet."
Ms. Rich has been struggling to overcome the prejudice many people have toward young mothers; she has two children, 5-month-old Cassara and 2-year-old Cory Jr. Many employers are concerned that young mothers are unreliable because of problems with child care, she said.
"I just try to let people see my talents so they can see what I can do for them," she said.
The Bridges program encourages graduates to set goals and follow their dreams.
Graduate Keisha Hoy, 23, loves helping people. She imagines herself working as a nurse in Atlanta or Philadelphia in the next five years and is now working to get a GED.
She drills her 4- and 5-year-old boys on literacy skills.
"I want my kids to graduate, because I didn't," she said.
Program coordinator Brenda Braucher said she wanted participants to have a new look to go with their new skills.
"Packaging is what we preach," Ms. Braucher said. "That's what's going to get you that job."
The Temple Academy, a Paul Mitchell partner school, arranged for about 10 of its students to indulge the Bridges graduates.
Sharon Riser, owner of the academy, said she was invited to do a presentation on hair and skin care.
"But, I thought, we could do one better than that," she said.
Ms. Riser brought the school's design team to cut and style hair, as well as apply makeup to graduates.
"It's a great way for our future professionals to network and give back to the community," she said.