PROGRAMS
Justice and Soul empowers young people who have experienced or are at risk for commercial sexual exploitation to become confident and self-sufficient individuals through professional training in cosmetology.
Employing our expertise in the beauty industry, we provide hope and restoration through vocational training in cosmetology (hair, makeup, nails and skin care).
With these new skills and increased self confidence, survivors will be able to earn a sustainable living to keep them from returning to trafficking for survival.
THE PROBLEM
- According to the Global Slavery Index, nearly 50 million adults and children are bought and sold worldwide into commercial sexual servitude, forced labor and bonded labor.
- Over 1 million children are exploited every year in the global commercial sex trade.
- 54% of trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
OUR OBJECTIVES
- Teach the fundamentals of cosmetology (hair, skin, nails and makeup), business, team building, and independent living for at-risk youth and traffic survivors.
- Build student esteem and confidence.
- Help students learn life skills outside of work.
- Create career paths and secure employment for students upon graduation.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
In 2014, we established a first-class, Western-style salon and academy. It is staffed by Western-trained stylists who are primarily from Cambodia. In addition, we rely on volunteer guest artists from developed countries to come and spend 4-12 weeks with us.
The pricing model for services has been set to attract wealthy Cambodian clients, along with expatriates, tourists, and NGO (non-profit) workers. Revenue from the salon goes towards supporting the academy with the intention of creating a self-sustaining operation.
STUDENTS
Students are selected from partnering NGOs (non-profits) for our custom-designed two-year program. Student tuition is provided through scholarships from the salon revenue. Each participant is also paid a livable wage (plus shared tips) while they study so they can begin to experience financial independence.
Graduating students move into stylist roles in our salon, other high-end salons (both Western and Cambodian), and open their own salons. Many of those graduating students have become instructors as well in both our program and other educational programs in Cambodia.
United States
In the U.S., our programs pave the way for people to not only escape their former life but to do so free from potential stigma. They enter training in the salon world as anyone else might, learning not only the proper skills, but also with the emotional and financial coping tools to succeed. We plan to launch our domestic program in 2025.
Our domestic program includes a job readiness module and a training platform utilizing apprenticeship programs in existing salon. Additionally, we partner with aftercare programs who are preparing survivors and at-risk participants to enroll in vocational development. We will equip our salon network with trauma informed care, special support systems, and a financial model which ensures those escaping trafficking can be compensated while they learn. We have created addition support systems to ensure each participant has all the tools they need to begin a new life in the cosmetology profession.