Beautiful partnership

Bless ‘It Beauty Salon, a faith-led nonprofit organization, experienced an uplifting, hair-raising boost thanks to a $25,000 grant from Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation. 

The Molina foundation was created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable and innovative programs. 

“Molina takes a comprehensive approach to addressing health-related social needs,” Kris Classen, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois, said in a statement. “By partnering with Bless ‘It Beauty Salon, we are advancing workforce development and expanding avenues to employment — all while preparing future hair stylists to recognize and respond to clients’ mental health needs.”

Bless ‘It’s Styling Toward Success Pathway Program was developed in collaboration with Springfield-based Next Level School of Cosmetology Arts and will support individuals pursuing careers as beauticians by helping them obtain their Natural Hair and Braiding License, a credential recognized under the Illinois cosmetology act.

Molina recognized that the program provides aspiring beauticians with the skills to have a stable career while integrating mental health training to help them better support clients’ well-being. Additionally, with the average unemployment rate among Black Illinoisans exceeding the state’s average, these types of partnerships can make a difference in the community.

The Molina grant provides support for BIBS administrative operations, instructor staffing and program materials, which enables the organization to offer scholarship assistance to every student in the program. The scholarships — made possible through funding from Molina, Next Level School of Cosmetology Arts institutional support, Carolyn Rise and Stand Community Funds, and the Velma Cares Act — are based on individual financial need and income qualification. Students are required to maintain standards of attendance, grade point average and conduct while enrolled in the program.

According to Bless ‘It founder Veris Van, the program offers the only natural hair and braiding and nail technology training available to District 186 high school students. The aim is to create equitable pathways to professional licensure and economic stability. “By removing financial and educational barriers, we help individuals — particularly youth and underserved community members — transform their passion into profession while strengthening the economic health and well-being of central Illinois,” Van said.

All applicants — both high school students and adults — complete an online application and must write an essay explaining why they should be awarded a scholarship and how the training will support their career goals.

“This is a passion of the heart,” Van said of the program. “I grew up with a love for hair and a passion for loving people. God married these two together and BIBS was born.”  

The recipient selection process reflects this calling, she said. “We seek individuals who share that same passion for the beauty industry and demonstrate a genuine desire to serve their community through their craft.” 

Selection is rooted in potential and purpose, Van said. “We partner with Southeast High School’s post-secondary coach to identify students who have the passion but may lack the resources. Through our income-based scholarship model — offering both full-ride and partial-ride scholarships — we ensure that financial barriers never extinguish the fire in a motivated student’s heart.

“Every scholarship recipient represents an investment in someone’s God-given purpose,” Van continued. “By providing access to professional training in natural hair, braiding, nail technology, barbering, professional educator and cosmetology, we help individuals discover and develop their gifts while building sustainable careers that strengthen our community. This is why BIBS exists: to see passion meet purpose and to watch individuals transform their love for beauty into a profession that serves and uplifts others.”

This grant is part of more than $5 million that Molina and the Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation have contributed in Illinois over the past two years to community organizations that play a vital role in strengthening health across the state.

 “Molina has paved the way in building community,” Van said, “and we are honored to be a part of their village.” 

Janet Seitz is a local communications professional, writer and artist. To share your story, contact her at janetseitz1@gmail.com.

This article appears in July SBJ 2026.