Many in the Bronx are jumpstarting their careers with free beauty courses.

District 79 and the Department of Education is offering a free, one-year program at Longwood Preparatory Academy.

"That’s what this program provides for them. It shows them a way they can come out of that poverty, and actually make a living on their own," says assistant principal Carolyn Peterson.

Rahmere Gayoe is one of the many students taking part in the free program.

"One major thing I learned in this classroom is how to be professional at all times, no matter what you go through in life, you must always stay professional," says Gayoe.

The program offers a world of opportunity, including learning how to do countless natural hair styles.

"I learned how to do box braids, cornrows, feed-in braids and crochet," says Gayoe.

When the students are done learning the tricks of the trade, organizers say they offer their services to the public for free.

"We have an open salon every week, where we open our services free of charge to the community in the Bronx," says teacher Roshann Richards.

Students say business is booming

"My clientele has built up way more. People are constantly coming here saying ‘where’s Tamara, where’s Tamara?’ It gets me excited. It gives me something to look forward to," says student Tamara Jennings.

With pride and passion, school staff tells News 12 programs like these change lives.

"This opens up a new world for them, a world of possibilities where before where they could not have this or didn't think about stepping out of their community to go into another borough to do work," says Richards.