At times a makeover is more than a fashion transformation. At times it is a wake-up call one where dignity is regained, purpose is recovered and confidence is placed back in the spotlight.
As San Diego's philanthropic schedule swings toward the eagerly awaited Forging Futures Gala on the USS Midway Saturday, May 31, the city's focus is not only on the glitz of the night but on the force of stories to be told. In the background a solid partnership is being built between a new upscale salon and a charity transforming the lives of veterans one weld, one certification, one second chance at a time.
Where Confidence Intersects Craftsmanship
At the center of this tale is Garden by SO30, a stunningly appointed, upscale salon in Bankers Hill. Known for its innovative styling, peaceful atmosphere and intimate community Garden by SO30 is not simply providing beauty services this month it is providing veterans with the opportunity to go to the gala looking their very best.
The newest venture of the group behind the award-winning Salon on 30th, the salon is providing expert grooming and styling on a free basis to special gala guests. They are graduates and volunteers from Workshops for Warriors, a San Diego non-profit that trains veterans in advanced manufacturing and welding.
The campaign features two amazing women who are not only going to strut down the red carpet but to be living testaments that change is always within reach.
Sena Alfaro Discovers the Strength of Steel
When you sit with Sena Alfaro, her peaceful strength is apparent. A 17-year U.S. Air Force veteran, a three-time mother and a cancer survivor, Sena is the very definition of resilience at its most lovely. But when her time in the service came to a close she was looking for something new to move forward something that rewarded her work ethic but offered a new beginning.
That journey led to her in 2024, when she discovered Workshops for Warriors, a nonprofit that offers hands-on vocational training in welding and manufacturing to transitioning personnel, active-duty military and veterans. With her new certifications and newfound confidence, Sena can now re-enter the workforce in a technically demanding and deeply empowering career.
"Welding never was something I would have envisioned for myself," she says, "but the precision, the creativity, the power of creating something out of nothing it gave me a sense of mastery over my life."
As Sena gets ready to walk the red carpet and represent her peers at the gala, Garden by SO30's team is making sure she is refined and strong. With highly trained stylists and attention to detail, the salon is not just providing her with a red-carpet appearance it is providing a celebration of her journey.
Bethany Prescott Converts Talent to Service
For Bethany Prescott, the path to welding was as surprising as it was life-changing. A former aviation structural mechanic in the U.S. Navy, Bethany found herself confronted with the uncertainty that has become so common to so many veterans. Her path was altered the day she entered Workshops for Warriors and discovered not just training but purpose. A seasoned welder and program teaching assistant today, Bethany is assisting others along the way. She instructs veterans to enter a new era of skilled trades, equipping them with the training and resources they require to thrive.
"I went from being lost to being someone that people can count on," Bethany explains. "That makes all the difference."
As she gets ready to step into the spotlight at the gala, Bethany is also embracing her strength embodied in the confident demeanor she'll exude owing to her styling session with Garden by SO30.
A Salon with a Purpose of Its Own
For Garden by SO30, the collaboration with Workshops for Warriors is more than just community engagement. It is a tribute to change of every kind. The creative director at the salon describes, "We feel beauty is highly personal. For these veterans, it is about being seen, celebrated and prepared for a moment they have worked hard for.
Recognized for its edited aesthetic, botanical design accents and extremely personalized services, Garden by SO30 has become a go-to destination for clients who value luxury infused with meaning. From dressing a bride, a business professional or a veteran preparing for the gala of the year the salon treats each guest with tenderness and artistry.
Why This Gala Matters to San Diego
The Forging Futures Gala is more than a red-carpet evening on the USS Midway it is an evening of honoring courage, opportunity, and transformation. The gala supports Workshops for Warriors, whose alumni go on to find work in industries that are vital to the nation's innovation and infrastructure.
Against the Midway background, visitors will listen to inspiring tales of overcoming adversity and achievement from veterans such as Sena and Bethany. With sleek appearances and increased confidence, these women will stand as a reminder of what can be achieved when possibility, compassion and community converge.
A Shared Vision of Change
Where luxury fashion meets warm hospitality is where there is a true veracity to be unearthed each transformation starts with the courage to begin again.
Garden by SO30's collaboration with Workshops for Warriors reminds us that luxury is not merely aesthetics. It's about purpose. It's about drawing others up the ladder while we climb. And it's about finding beauty in resilience. With the city poised to welcome one of its most celebratory galas of the year, San Diego can proudly look back and recall that beneath the glamour and speeches lies a deeper narrative one of grit, grace, and the quiet assurance born of the fact that your best years are yet to come.
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