Miss Julie’s School of Beauty Breaks Ground to Empower Trafficking Survivors

Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) left and Julie Chapus, right.

Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, a first-of-its-kind cosmetology school dedicated to survivors of human trafficking, marked its groundbreaking ceremony on March 28 in Rochester’s historic Sibley Building.

Backed by $284,000 in state funding secured by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester), the school offers trauma-informed, therapeutic cosmetology training that empowers survivors with a path to financial independence and personal healing.

“Senator Cooney saw the value in our mission early on,” said founder Julie Chapus. “Thanks to his support, we are finally able to make our school a reality.”

The program provides no-cost training leading to New York State cosmetology licensure—circumventing common employment barriers such as criminal records—offering a career path that supports recovery, family reunification, and long-term stability.

“Julie Chapus and her team are creating a model for other communities,” said Cooney. “This is about providing safety and sustainable futures for survivors.”

Mayor Malik D. Evans praised the initiative as a vital investment in community resilience: “Miss Julie’s is creating pathways to economic independence for some of our most vulnerable residents. We’re proud to support this milestone.”

Ken Greene, director of commercial development at Winn Companies, welcomed the school to Sibley Square as part of a growing public-private revitalization effort.

With its survivor-centered approach, Miss Julie’s School of Beauty aims to be a beacon of hope in downtown Rochester—transforming trauma into opportunity, one student at a time.

When a trafficking victim has spent time on the street, they will likely be arrested for the very situation they have been forced into. For survivors, potentially left with a criminal record, it can become extremely difficult to find a job that pays a living wage. NYS cosmetology licensure overcomes that barrier, eliminating the need for employer background checks and opens up an opportunity for a rewarding and lucrative career. At no cost to the student, Miss Julie’s School of Beauty offers a path to independent living compatible with ongoing recovery and family reunification.

For additional info visit at https://www.missjuliesschoolofbeauty.org/