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Women Moving in the Right Direction
The Total Image Wigs Inc. Women Moving in the Right Direction program stands out for its transformative potential, uniquely designed to assist women in overcoming the challenges of reintegrating into society after prison. This three-tier program offers job training in the hair, wig, and med spa industry and pathways to permanent employment, cosmetology, or barber school. It's a comprehensive approach that paves the way for a brighter future.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Access to tech and creative industry employment
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
When women reenter society, who have been incarcerated face a myriad of daunting challenges, including the uphill battle of securing employment, housing, transportation, and reestablishing family connections. The Total Image Wigs Inc. team is unwavering in its commitment to supporting these women and providing them with job skills and opportunities to attend cosmetology or barber school. Recent research shows that if someone released from prison receives the chance to learn an industrial skill or acquire knowledge in a specialized field, not only do they rarely return to prison (less than 10%), but they also go on to build businesses and create jobs for others to have a second chance in life and avoid re-incarceration. This powerful community impact, where each woman becomes a beacon of hope, is a testament to our program.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
Total Image Wig Inc.'s leadership team, with over 35 years of professional experience in hair restoration, wigs, and med spa services, is a unique blend of experts with a proven track record and reputation. The program participants will complete an intake interview to help identify the areas of interest and to establish goals. The next stage includes meeting with the team expert to develop a plan to meet each goal, establish a training schedule, and identify resources to support each goal. Each participant will receive a journal to write a daily positive affirmation, determine the day's highlight, and write about what they learned or observed. The women will meet weekly with their assigned expert/mentor to build trust and open communication, to debrief and connect with community resources for employment interviews, cosmetology, or barber school enrollment. The expert/mentor will assist each woman with developing a resume and portfolio and sharpening their interview skills.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
The Women Moving in the Right Direction program will positively impact Los Angeles County in various ways and actively seek local business partnerships. The program strengthens the family structure and communities by empowering and reintegrating women into their communities with job skills and enhanced self-esteem. It reduces the burden on social services and inspires other companies to pursue similar programs for women. Moreover, it significantly improves the public perception of incarcerated individuals, showcasing their potential for rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. The program's success instills hope and strengthens women's self-worth, reducing recidivism rates of program participants returning to the criminal justice system. We believe that together, we can make a difference.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
The Women Moving in the Right Direction program, a new Total Image Inc. program, is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity. The leadership team, in collaboration with participants, will establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART) goals for the program, focusing on the training, number of women completing the 12-month program, job placement, and the number of participants enrolled in cosmetology or barber school. The team will employ various tools and methods to collect and analyze data, including surveys, feedback forms, analytics, and testimonials. The program's impact will be measured qualitatively and creatively through stories, portfolios, and awards.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 10.0
Indirect Impact: 10.0