PIQUA — Upper Valley Career Center SADD, the Cosmetology program and the YWCA Piqua sponsored a week-long Red X campaign to raise awareness of human trafficking, April 24-28.
On Monday, students and staff attended a presentation by Raven Loaiza of Lima, chairwoman of the Tri County Chapter of the Northwest Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition and the Rape Crisis and Human Trafficking Division of Crime Victim Services.
Following Loaiza’s presentation and throughout the week, Cosmetology and SADD students shared related public service announcements and print material during lunches. They also produced awareness videos, which were released via the school’s social media channels.
Wednesday through Friday, the Cosmetology salon offered patrons $5 special appointments — including haircuts, trims, shampoos, style and manicures — during the morning and afternoon labs, with all proceeds going to the YWCA Piqua Human Trafficking Awareness effort. Patrons also received information similar to that distributed to students.
Tim Cordonnier, instructional supervisor, explained the connection for Cosmetology students.
“Ohio has included cosmetologist in their effort to raise awareness by making it a CEU and part of the curriculum required to sit for the State Board Examination,” he said. “With the support of the YWCA Piqua, our Cosmetology students and SADD are taking this beyond the requirements in the hope of spreading the word throughout the school and the community.”
