Founded in 2017 at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, the Shear Haven training will expand its domestic violence awareness education for the beauty industry in 2027, thanks to a grant from The Allstate Foundation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — [Oct. 30 2026] — YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has received a grant from The Allstate Foundation to expand Shear Haven, its free, online domestic violence awareness training for beauty industry professionals. The grant is part of The Allstate Foundation’s more than 20-year commitment to disrupting the cycle and reducing the prevalence of relationship abuse.
The grant will support development of new advanced training that builds on Shear Haven’s foundational course and explores the complex and evolving ways abuse can appear in clients’ lives. Topics will include coercive control, digital abuse and stalking, trauma-informed communication, safety planning, workplace safety and connecting survivors with community resources.
“Beauty professionals build extraordinary relationships of trust with their clients, and sometimes they see or hear things that even close friends and family do not,” said Susanne Shepherd Post, Shear Haven co-founder, salon owner, stylist and domestic violence survivor. “This support from The Allstate Foundation allows us to take that education to the next level, particularly as technology creates new ways for abusers to exert power and control.”
Shear Haven was co-founded by Shepherd Post and YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee in 2017. The training moved online in 2020 in partnership with BARBICIDE®, making the free program accessible worldwide. Since then, more than 180,000 beauty professionals in over 100 countries have completed the training.
The current 20-minute course teaches beauty professionals to recognize signs of abuse, respond safely and refer clients to trained advocates and resources. The advanced course will build on that foundation while reinforcing a core principle of Shear Haven: beauty professionals are not expected to become counselors or domestic violence experts, but they can become trusted links to potentially life-saving help.
“Domestic violence does not always begin with a bruise. It can begin with isolation, control, financial abuse, stalking or monitoring someone’s phone and online activity,” said Sharon K. Roberson, president and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. “With support from The Allstate Foundation, we can expand access to training that helps thousands more beauty professionals recognize these warning signs and safely connect survivors with support and hope.”
The grant will support curriculum development, video production, technology enhancements, outreach and evaluation of the expanded program. The advanced training will be available in 2027. Shear Haven is available free online in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
To learn more or take the free training, visit ShearHavenTraining.org.
About Shear Haven
Shear Haven is an initiative of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee co-founded by domestic violence survivor, salon owner and stylist Susanne Shepherd Post. The program equips beauty professionals to recognize signs of domestic violence, respond appropriately and safely connect clients with resources. Since its online launch in 2020, more than 180,000 people in over 100 countries have completed the training.
About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee provides domestic violence services, youth programming, adult education and workforce development programs throughout Middle Tennessee. YWCA operates the 70-bed Weaver Domestic Violence Center, Tennessee’s largest domestic violence shelter, as well as Abbie’s Safe Home, a pet shelter located on the Weaver Center campus.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Mowery Johnson
Vice President Strategic Communications & Advocacy
615-424-0544
michelle.moweryjohnson@ywcanashville.com
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