Izola Toy plugs the unemployed into the cosmetology biz
By Tyrone Farley
For the St. Louis American
Second Chance Career Academy for cosmetology offers students a second chance to get back on their feet and into the beauty profession.
“We have individualized plans that are set up for students with learning disabilities and things along that area,” said Izola Toy, chief executive officer.
“We just work closely with those students with emotional problems as well as those advanced in learning,” said Toy, “and once they have entered the school they go through a pre-evaluation, which helps us determine how they are going to be worked with.”
When finances are a problem, the Second Chance Academy lives up to its name by offering students alternatives.
“We have something called a $1,500 program. This includes all aspects of cosmetology, like hair cutting and styling, all these things just at their own pace,” said Toy.
“Everything is set up to empower their success.”
To ensure success of the students, a one-on-one ratio with the instructors has been developed, which gives the student time to sit and talk to the instructor when needed.
A former student at the academy, who let the cosmetologist license she earned in Colorado elapse, was disappointed when she tried to get accredited in St. Louis
“I called several beauty schools and found out that I could not enroll because I was not an alumni of that school,” she said.
“Just as I began to get discouraged about the whole thing, one of my clients asked if I had called the Second Chance Career Academy, and, when I did, Ms. Toy embraced me and worked with me.”
Of her work, Toy said, “We allow them to do projects that show them different styles that they can do, along with portfolios, and we also give them the chance to solicit their own models.”
The proof, for her, is in the placement record: “We are here to get people employed.”
She explained, “What we do is call salons to see if they need someone to work with them, and then I get involved and let the salon know that I have a couple of people working in the program and when they graduate they will be able to work with them.”
Prospective students need to visit the academy, fill out an application and interview with Toy to assess the student’s goals and any possible learning disabilities.
“We cater to people with learning disabilities and those that are unemployed,” Toy said, “and even if they have problems with the reading, we make sure that they pass.”
Toy holds a master’s degree in education and has a professional background as a reading specialist.
She also coaches her students through the accreditation process.
“I go to the board with the student for support, because I have a lot of students with emotional instability and I have to just keep encouraging them,” said Toy.
“We’re more like a family.”
Tuition for the school is $8,000. It receives some funding from the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Jefferson City. Payment plans are available.
“When it comes to the school, I do not turn people down,” said Toy.
And repeat business, at Toy’s, is better than cheap.
“When my students have passed the program and taken those fifteen credit hours, they do not have to pay to come back,” Toy said.
“They can come back as long as they want to free.”
For more information, you can reach Izola Toy, Chief Executive Officer, Second Chance Career Academy at 9710 Lackland MO 63114, or call (314) 428-8563.
