East Orange teen helping to beautify older residents in community

EAST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) -- A 17-year-old from East Orange, New Jersey, is using her talents to connect with older residents in her community.

Jalessa Illery is the creator of Beautified Seniors, a new program coming to the East Orange Senior Center. It will teach the art of wig-making and styling to older adults.

“This is my passion,” said Illery. “I feel like nobody really targets the senior age group, so that’s what I want to do.”

Illery has been doing hair since 2019. Her program will teach older people how to sew and style their own wigs.

“I’m gonna feel beautiful,” said Virginia Magee, an older adult. “I’m so glad she’s taking the time to help us out.”

“I just can’t stop thanking you for bringing your program to us,” Dorothy Cole-Young said to Illery.

“It’s our hope that our seniors will improve their hand skills, their motor skills, hand-eye coordination,” said Penny Corum of the East Orange Senior Center.

The program is powered by the East Orange Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training, which works to help young entrepreneurs like Illery.

“We probably have, at this point, maybe over 150 youth who have started their own businesses since working with the entrepreneurship program,” said LaDonna Johns, the manager for the Office of Employment and Training.

Illery is in the process of becoming a vendor for the City of East Orange, which will allow her to get paid for hosting her program.

She said she could not have monetized her passion without the help of the Boss Up program at Essex County College. Dr. Jamila T. Davis created the program, teaching teens to be entrepreneurs.

“[Dr. Davis] taught us how to save money,” said Illery. “She taught us everything we need to know to open a business.”

“When you give kids a trade that teaches them how to make money now, they can do it and become successful,” said Davis.