Employment Development Program for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Written By Luis Burgos

Program Summary
Don’t Forget About Me (DFAM) Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos y Coordinadora Paz para las

Mujeres (The Peace for Women Coalition are partnering to start Yo Misma Fui mi Ruta (I Am My Own Pathway): an employment development program in cosmetology and barbering targeted at survivors of domestic violence in Puerto Rico. The goal of the program is to help survivors break the cycle of domestic violence by giving them the skills to earn their own income and transition to economic independence. DFAM has developed a three-month professional development curriculum to be delivered to survivors of domestic violence who participate in the programs of one or more of CPM’s coalition of community-based organizations.

Program Motivation
Domestic violence not only leaves survivors with physical scars and emotional and psychological wounds, but also deprives them economically. While in abusive relationships, survivors become economically dependent on their abusers, and when they escape those relationships they are disconnected from nancial resources, making it dicult for them to rebuild their lives. Addressing the immediate safety and well-being of survivors is crucial, but equally important is teaching them with the skills necessary to achieve long-term economic independence.

In Puerto Rico, statistics show that domestic violence is on the rise. For example, comparing the total number of domestic violence incidents reported to Puerto Rico Police in 2023 with the number reported in the rst eight months of 2024, there already has been a 17% increase in reported incidents. This increase will be higher once reporting for all of 2024 has been completed. In addition, there is increasing recognition of the role that restrictions on economic well-being play in domestic violence. This was seen in 2023, when the Puerto Rican legislature amended its anti-domestic violence law, Act 54, to include “economic violence” as a form of domestic violence codied under the law. Taken together, these statistics and legislative actions indicate the growing societal concern with domestic violence in Puerto Rico.

Program Curriculum
Program partner Don’t Forget About Me (DFAM) has developed a training curriculum consisting of ten weekly sessions. Each session will last four hours, for a total of 40 hours of training. Below is a list of the topics covered each week:

● History and overview of the Cosmetology/Hairdressing Industry (how it all started, famous people who have made milestones in the industry, income opportunities, job satisfaction, exible hours, entrepreneurship); Professional Ethics and Hygiene (sanitation, interpersonal skills, professionalism)

2

  • ●  Introduction to Tools and Equipment (scissors, clippers, trimmers, and combs); Customer Consultation and Hair Care Skills Communication

  • ●  Understanding Hair Types and Textures (how to work with all hair types).

  • ●  Hair Washing, Conditioning, and Treatments (what to use on each hair type, how to choose

    the right product for your hair type and needs).

  • ●  Basic Hair Cutting Techniques (pixie cuts, bobs, layers, fades, and shaves).

  • ●  Hair Drying and Styling Techniques (blow drying, styling).

  • ●  Salon Management and Business Skills

  • ●  Retail sales and product knowledge (revenue opportunity)

  • ●  Salon sanitation and safety

  • ●  Marketing and personal branding (social media marketing)

    Program Instructors
    The lead instructor for this program is Debbie Chirolla, a stylist based in Puerto Rico who is also a member of the DFAM Board of Directors. Debbie is a stylist, colorist, and educator, specializing in curly hair cutting and color. She studied cosmetology at Century College and has worked at OM Studios in Puerto Rico for 6 years. Debbie has taught classes in her specialty area of curly hair cutting at the San Juan Beauty Show in Puerto Rico and the IBS show in New York City. Guest instructors will accompany Debbie during sessions 3-10 to provide a diverse set of knowledge to program participants.

    Support Services for Program Participants
    Program partner Casa Protegida Julia De Burgos will provide support services for program participants. This includes providing child care in their state-certied childcare center during class sessions to facilitate regular program participation, as well as regular counseling for program participants to address potential barriers to regular program participation.

Luis Burgos