Grand Opening at Avondale, AZ, Empire Beauty School Commences with
Attorney General Terry Goddard’s Anti-Domestic Violence Initiative

January 15, 2009 – Empire Education Group’s Avondale, AZ, Empire Beauty School celebrated the grand opening of the newly built cosmetology school with keynote speaker, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. Goddard and Avondale Mayor, Marie Lopez Rogers, discussed Empire Education Group’s affiliation with CUT IT OUT, which Goddard introduced to Arizona in 2005, and Empire’s own anti-domestic violence initiative called Empire Gives Back.

Empire’s nine beauty schools in Arizona are active participants in the “Empire Gives Back” program which offers victim support, public awareness and educational efforts, fundraising events, and student training, as well as an online program. The Arizona beauty schools will also implement the CUT IT OUT educational curriculum, which educates cosmetology students on identifying the signs of domestic abuse in their clients and instructs them on how to appropriately refer those victims to safety.

“Empire has a strong tradition of commitment to supporting the communities in which our schools are located and we are delighted to bring that part of our culture to Arizona,” said Franklin K. Schoeneman, CEO and Chairman of Empire Education Group. 

After the ribbon cutting at the school, additional representatives from JCPenney™, Smart Style, AACS, Avondale City Council Members, the Chrysalis organization, and the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology enjoyed a student hair show competition, where students styled their mannequins using a Japanese street theme. The guests of the grand opening event were also invited to enjoy select salon services from the students.

Additionally, funds generated from Empire Education Group’s National Day of Beauty in the Phoenix area will donate proceeds raised from three of the schools during the one day of beauty services to Chrysalis. Residents and other clients of the schools’ adopted shelters will also receive free beauty services at Empire Beauty Schools in Arizona, as well as financial support to enroll and attend any Empire Beauty School in the U.S.

Chrysalis was formed over 20 years ago as a safe haven for victims of domestic abuse. Chrysalis offers housing, counseling for victims and offenders, and preventative educational programs.

 

Contact: Maureen Pinchock, Empire Education Group, 570.573.4546