On Dec. 8, as nine young women anxiously waited for their makeovers at Willow Glen's Elite Image Salon, they flipped through magazines and hairstyle books and talked to each other about what kind of cuts and color would look best on them.

The girls, who live in the Bayview Hunters Point subsidized housing development in San Francisco, usually have their hair done by a sister, a friend or their mother, or style it themselves. In addition to living in the same community, they are all members of Girls 2000, an after-school program designed to help the girls succeed in life.

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Ideal Beauty: Bianca Gooch, 13, looked through a hairstyle book to decide what kind of cut and style she wanted on her Dec. 8 visit to Willow Glen's Elite Image Salon. Gooch was visiting the salon with friends from her after-school program, Girls 2000.

"Anything the children need done we're doing," says volunteer hairstylist Michael Singer. "We want to do our part because it's Christmas and everyone needs to do some good work."

Raymundo wanted to donate her time and expertise to the nonprofit after-school program after reconnecting with Edwin Stephens, a former junior high school friend she hadn't seen in 25 years. Stephens is chairman of the board for Girls 2000.

The trip to the hair salon was part of the recreational and cultural activities program. The program also includes field trips to dance performances, plays, ice skating rinks and other places.

"Girls 2000 is a safe place they can come to as an alternative to dealing with the violence and drug use where they live," says program director Takai Tyler. "They were all really excited about the opportunity to just be taken care of by having their hair done. We try to provide them with things that are nurturing, like doing their hair, and improve their self-esteem by making them feel good about how they look."

The nine girls were chosen to visit the Willow Glen salon because they were the first to sign up. When they arrived at the salon, Raymundo had a consultation with each girl to choose a hairstyle. Many wanted to imitate their favorite celebrities.

La'Diamond Laurent, 17, wanted to emulate Halle Berry's short hairstyle on the cover of the December 2002 issue of Vogue. Laurent had never been to a hair salon before. Being in Girls 2000 for the past three years has "helped me a lot because it kept me off the streets," she says.

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Flip and Curl: Meg-Anne Pryor, 14, wanted a hairdo like that of hip-hop singer Mary J. Blige. Pryor and eight members of the Girls 2000 program were pampered at Elite Image Salon on Dec. 8.

"I just wanted to give back," Raymundo says about hosting the event. "I've struggled before, so I know what it's like. I will work two weeks straight because of this."

Girls 2000 staff also try to get the girls exposed to different aspects of life outside their neighborhood. Different companies contribute products, services and time to expose the girls to different types of occupations they might pursue.

Bianca Gooch, 13, has learned how to cook from local chefs who visit the program. She now cooks burritos, hamburgers and nachos for her mother, two sisters and two brothers. Other highlights of the program for her were art and computer classes and visits to Marine World and Great America.

Brandy Laurent, 16, also enjoys the outings. She plans to be a marine biologist, accountant or travel agent. Her favorite part of the program is the yearly trip to Lake Tahoe to sled, ski and snowboard, she says.

As volunteer Ron Scott does Jackie Brown's hair, he says, "I'm going to correct her color, make it look really nice, curl it for her and show her how she can keep the style up on her own."

Lena Miller, 30, started Girls 2000 while she was in graduate school. She grew up in Bayview Hunters Point and wanted to help the young women in the area, where, she says, "I went through more than I should have."

Bayview Hunters Point has many single-parent families and problems with crime and drug abuse.

"We try to act as their family and support system and provide continuity for them," says Stephens, describing the program's purpose. "We are trying to get them involved in activities to brighten their horizons."

The program has grown from just a few girls meeting in the Milton Meyers Recreational Center—across the street from Hunters Point—to 50 members who meet daily after school at the center and at a newer office nearby. The girls gather at 3 p.m. and are driven home in a program van at 8 p.m.

The five staff members each have specific duties. The educational component includes help with homework, tutoring and going into schools to "shadow" students or make sure they are getting appropriate assistance. Case managers also provide family services to offer extra emotional, health, school and job support for the girls and family members.

As part of the job-training program, some girls work in a community garden, where they plant and harvest vegetables. Older girls are offered paying jobs within the community, working at the public library, nonprofit organizations and local day care centers.

Pryor enjoys working in the community garden. She is in charge of irrigating, weeding and watering plants.

"Without this program I might be playing outside on the streets, where it's not safe," says Pryor. "You really have to be careful where you go in the Hunters Point area. The staff at Girls 2000 are role models."

Girls 2000 is a nonprofit that receives funds from grants, state foundations, fundraisers and private individuals.

Future projects include working with the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations and Board of Supervisors.

"We want the girls to understand how politics and policy influence them," Stephens says. "If they see legislation in action they can see how decisions affect them."

The project has proven successful, with some of the program graduates going on to college and others coming back to assist in the program. Stephens says that many students become more focused on their schoolwork and their grade point average goes up after joining the program.

"If we can reach the young girls, then they can understand that they are an important part of their community and can influence other, younger girls and their family members," Stephens says.

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer New Look: Bianca Gooch, 13, wanted Elite Image Salon owner Robin Raymundo to cut her hair and give her a new look. The Girls 2000 program has given Gooch an opportunity to enjoy many after-school field trip programs.

The long day of beauty began at 10 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m.

At day's end, the girls were given an unanticipated treat when the International Center for Integrated Medicine invited the girls to its grand opening, which included hors d'oeuvres. The business is down the hall from the salon.

While enjoying buffalo wings and shrimp, the girls showed off their new hairdos to the guests.

"I think everyone was very happy with the day's outcome," Raymundo says.