CosmoBiz Magazine November 2015 | Page 92

News Beauty School Buzz EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOLS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF DONATIONS TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE For the last 10 years, Empire Beauty Schools’ students and staff have pulled together to raise over two million dollars to aid victims of domestic violence. The Empire Gives Back campaign has worked with over 100 local, anti-domestic violence organizations in 21 states. Along with donations and other support, students provide complimentary beauty services to residents of their local shelters. Additionally, all proceeds from the National Day of Beauty go to each school’s local shelter. This year the National Day of Beauty was held October 17th. “Domestic violence is an issue we tackle straight on,” says Frank Schoeneman, Chairman & CEO of Empire Education Group. “Beyond fundraising and local shelter support, we also support the Cut It Out program, a curriculum of special training designed to teach cosmetologists how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse. This is an epidemic that surprisingly often reveals itself in the chair of a stylist. Whether through a shared confidence or visible signs of abuse, hairdressers are often faced with this issue and without training, are unsure how to respond. I am proud to say that our students are equipped with the information they need to comfortably point victims to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.” On top of all this, Empire offers endowments to residents of domestic violence shelters who want to pursue a cosmetology license. PAUL MITCHELL SCHOOLS CELEBRATE FREE HUGS DAY Juan Mann, an Australian who was inspired by a random hug given to him at a local party, started a campaign to encourage free hugs. Paul Mitchell schools 92 COSMOBIZ SALON NOVEMBER 2015 were also inspired by this unique campaign and have been giving free hugs out for the past seven years. This October marked the seventh annual free hugs day at all Paul Mitchell schools across the US. 14,000 students from 110 schools participated in the event. Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh said, “Yes, our Paul Mitchell Schools across the country hit the streets once a year to offer Free Hugs. We also have annual events to honor September 11 and veterans, we visit care facilities for the elderly, we raise awareness about cancer, and we’ve raised over $15.2 million for a variety of charitable causes. We absolutely prepare our graduates with the best training to cut and color beautiful hair, pass the state board exam, and launch highly successful careers, as recognized by our 30-plus years of experience. But we also help our students live better lives, become better citizens and human beings, and know how to give back to their communities. Now, that’s a great education!” AVEDA HONORS TEACHER, STUDENTS WHO HELPED LAUNCH RECYCLING PROGRAM On Earth Day 2006, a teacher, Amy Fishkin, and her students began a campaign to recycle plastic caps. That initiative inspired the Recycle Caps with Aveda program as they invited guests to bring or mail any plastic-sized cap to participating Aveda locations to be processed for recycling. “Through the years, we’ve been excited to see the program flourish, especially because it grew so quickly in part by the help of Amy, now a school district principal, and the students, now juniors in high school. Amy has been an integral part of supporting Recycle Caps with Aveda at the outset of the program…,” says