Heads Up!
Looking Good at Working Hands Salon

The pictures tell the story. Or at least, part of it. A group of women, their hair newly coiffed, their faces glowing with professionally –applied makeup, posed for photos fit for a modelling agency.

What had begun as a usual “Ladies Day” outing turned into a very special experience for these young women from The Arc Rockland residences, when Working Hands Salon in Haverstraw provided each of them with a complete makeover, including hair styling, manicure and makeup. And as if that wasn’t enough, the women were photographed using a special backdrop and lighting.

Jessica Sirota

“We had been to the salon before for hair styling, but this time it was decided to create a modelling kind of experience, adding manicures and makeup, then capturing the finished look with photos,” explains Colleen Kalarickal, The Arc Coordinator of Recreation.

Biensy Rosa, owner of Working Hands, has a special relationship with The Arc and other agencies that provide supports and services to people with disabilities. “It all started when the mother of a young lady with disabilities came to the shop and asked if I would be willing to train her daughter in the field of cosmetology. She wanted to fulfill her daughter’s dream of working in a beauty shop. I had some experience working with individuals with disabilities at one of the agencies, so I agreed to work with this young woman. After a 20-week training period, I gave her a job assisting me at the salon. 

Angela Zuccarello

 “That opportunity lit a fire in me,” Ms. Rosa continues. “I turned the business into a 501c3 not for profit Working Hands Foundation and we began offering this same 20-week training course to others with disabilities, teaching them beauty arts.” 

The salon owner takes pride in both the training course and the fact that people with disabilities are among her loyal customers.
Ms. Rosa provided a group discount for the women from The Arc. Her daughter Jasmine Rosa, was the makeup artist and her daughter Marcy Rosa was the fashion photographer.

Brian Wright

“The women were thrilled with the outcome,” notes Ms. Kalarickal. She provided each of the participants and their families with photos.
“It was the first time I had all those things done at once at the beauty parlor,” explains Jessica Sirota. “I loved it, and I think the photo looked great.”

Not to be outdone, several men who live in The Arc residences recently had their own day at Working Hands Salon , where each received a shave, a haircut and, of course, a photo shoot.

Andrew Raush