“I went to one of the Trades Discovery Days at SCC, and I’m planning on enrolling in the Cosmetology Program next Fall,” said Savanna (pictured, seated with mirror), a senior at Gonzaga Preparatory School who on January 28 was on the other side of the salon chair—as a client. Cheyenne, who cut and styled Savannah’s hair (pictured, pink hair), is a Spokane Community College (SCC) cosmetology student who volunteered to give free haircuts at Spokane’s annual Homeless Connect event at the Spokane Convention Center. “Feel free to reach out to any of us when you’re ready to enroll,” Cheyenne told Savannah. “We’re all happy to help.”
Savannah was one of more than 200 people who received a free haircut at Homeless Connect this year, delivered by 70 cosmetology students who volunteered their time and talent to offer everyone the comfort and dignity of a quality haircut.
“This is a great opportunity for the students as well,” said Paula Anselmo, a member of SCC’s cosmetology faculty. “Students see clients at the Inspiration Salon on campus, but this is a great opportunity to work with more people and add more time and haircuts to their experience.”
This is the fourth year SCC Cosmetology has participated in Homeless Connect, growing from a single table of salon stations to four tables of salon stations this year.
The 1600 hour, six quarter Cosmetology Program at SCC prepares students to pass the State Licensing Examination for the cosmetology license, which allows the holder to wash, cut, style, and color, and treat hair, as well as provide services for skin, nails, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Students graduate the program with training in the business and marketing aspects of the beauty industry, as well as an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and the option of later earning a bachelor’s degree or adding certificates like Esthetician and Advanced Master Esthetics, both of which are offered at SCC.
“One of the things that I wanted to do when I graduated school was to be able to help people and make people smile,” said Melaina Morris, a fourth quarter cosmetology student volunteering at the event, who transformed her client Avery’s hair into a mohawk. Said Avery, “It means the world to be able to have a fresh haircut . . . I’m so happy.”
If you’d like to volunteer to give free haircuts at next year’s Homeless Connect, learn how you can enroll in Spokane Community College’s Cosmetology Program.