Renee’s passion and talent for makeup unfolded naturally. What began as a daily habit of wearing makeup grew into something more. She started experimenting with new products and building her skills along the way.

Renee joined Hope Services in 2020, connecting with Julio Zamora, Assistant Manager of Tailored Day Services, through the San Andreas Regional Center. At the time, she was working at a veterinary office, but the environment felt strict and never quite like the right fit. Training had been minimal, and she was also navigating some financial difficulties. Hope stepped in early on to help with EBT card applications, offering support beyond just employment.

The goal of the Tailored Day Services program is to work one-on-one with individuals, listening closely to their passions and needs. We believe in person-centered thinking, so when Julio and Myra learned about Renee’s love of makeup, they knew they wanted to help her find a job that matched not just her abilities, but her genuine interests.

Together, they worked on job development: building her resume and preparing for interviews. “We always want to ensure preparation,” Julio shared. “We like participants to visit job sites ahead of time to get used to the setting.” This was especially important for Renee, who has sensitivity to noise, so environmental preparation played a key role in her readiness.

At first, Renee wasn’t sure what type of job she wanted. She interviewed at TJ Maxx and Trader Joe’s before finding the perfect fit: Ulta Beauty. Though she felt nervous going into the interview, she focused on truly listening to the interviewer, and it paid off. It felt good knowing they valued her background and experience, she said.

Today, Renee works on stocking, organizing, and helping customers on the floor. One of her favorite parts of the job is helping customers find their perfect foundation match through color matching. She also fulfills online orders, locating products on the shelves for customer pickup. “It feels like a scavenger hunt,” she says with a smile. Before handing off any order, she carefully checks the customer’s ID to make sure it reaches the right person. Above all, she loves helping people find exactly what they’re looking for.

Hope continues to support Renee by checking in regularly. As she’s grown more comfortable and confident in her role, staff no longer need to accompany her during every shift. When she gets stuck on a task, Hope helps by tracking down the right products. Communicating with her manager and advocating for herself can still feel overwhelming at times, so she and the Hope team are currently focused on building her independence and self-advocacy skills. Renee lets us know when she needs that extra support.

Hope is also helping Renee work toward her driver’s license by supporting her as she studies for the DMV written test. Right now, she relies on Uber to get to work, which adds up quickly, so earning her license will be a huge step toward greater independence.

When asked what her life might look like without Hope Services, Renee didn’t hesitate: “I probably wouldn’t be employed. I’m glad to have Hope. I’m appreciative.”

Looking ahead, Renee hopes to become a Prestige Beauty Advisor, working alongside the vendors who visit the store to engage customers with their product lines. She’d also love the opportunity to take part in larger corporate beauty events hosted by Ulta.

Her favorite product? Rihanna’s Fenty Foundation, and she especially enjoys the ritual of prepping skin with a good skincare routine.

“I’m really happy to be at Hope,” Renee says. “I really like my job.”