Bela came to our Jobs Plus supported employment program with a goal: To overcome her past trauma and make a better future for herself.

Bela was living in a community house for women who had escaped sexual exploitation, prostitution, and sex trafficking, and taking steps to build a new life.

When Bela met with Jobs Plus Job Developer Tina Zhong, she explained that her plan was to go into business for herself as a hair stylist. She’d completed her training and needed help moving forward with establishing herself in business. Tina and Bela teamed together to search for the perfect place to start a business. They brainstormed ways to promote Bela’s business and build her clientele. Soon, they found the ideal location.

Bela is all smiles when you see her working in Osbelia’s Hair Salon, a bright and beautiful salon in San Francisco’s Outer Mission District, where she rents a stylist’s station and delights in bringing joy to her clients.