Delane's Natural Nail Care, Steps to Success. Home

DNNC Steps to Success

Empowering Women. Strengthening Families. Transforming Generations.

Vocational training scholarships, mentorship and practical support to help women and single parents build stable careers, and stronger futures for their children.

Explore Our Programs Support Our Mission
Four smiling women in black aprons and tops, three of them embroidered with the Delane's Natural Nail Care logo, standing together outdoors in front of green foliage
Members of the DNNC Steps to Success community.

Where would you like to begin?

Four ways to take the next step

Impact Stories

See the vehicle giveaways, galas and community moments that carry the mission forward.

Read Success Stories →
Two women smiling close together in a garden, with the Delane's Natural Nail Care logo in the lower corner
Two women of the DNNC Steps to Success community.

Our founder

Built from lived experience

Delane Sims, an Oakland native, founded DNNC Steps to Success drawing on her own experience as a single mother of four.

The work began in 2000 and was formalized as an organization in 2016. Its purpose is to give women and single parents a path to a profession, a circle of support and a more stable future for their children.

Read Our Story

Programs

Training for a career. Mentors for the journey.

Vocational training

Scholarship-supported training toward a professional license in the beauty industry.

  • Manicurist and cosmetology pathways
  • Medical pedicurist training
  • Internship and job-readiness training
  • State license exam preparation
  • Support toward employment or salon ownership

Mentorship and support

Training works best alongside people who believe in you.

  • Mentoring and professional guidance
  • Classes in financial literacy, etiquette, nutrition, parenting and more
  • A lasting community: once a Steps to Success family member, always one
Explore Our Programs

Impact and success stories

From training to a lasting career

Every participant’s journey follows the same four steps.

  1. Enroll and train
  2. Practice through internship
  3. Prepare for licensure
  4. Launch a career
A smiling woman in yellow holding a statuette and a navy folder with a U.S. Congress seal at a banquet

Recognition and achievement

Celebrating women and community leaders at our galas and events.

Women and children gathered indoors looking through donated clothing, with one woman in a blue knit cap holding a yellow garment

Community giving

Neighbors sharing clothing and support with families.

A woman holding a toddler and covering her eyes beside a white vehicle topped with a large red bow

Vehicle giveaways

A reliable car can decide whether a parent reaches work and school. DNNC Steps to Success has given vehicles to families.

Read Success StoriesEvents and Community History

In our community

Moments worth remembering

Galas, award celebrations, community giving and vehicle giveaways are part of who we are. Browse the history of our events, and the press that has told our story.

  • Annual galas honoring mothers and community leaders
  • Vehicle giveaways for families
  • Coverage in local and trade media
Events and Community HistoryPress and Recognition
A woman in a white dress smiling and pressing her hands together while guests around her applaud
A celebration with friends and supporters.

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Support Our Mission

Give

Help a family take its next step

As a nonprofit organization, DNNC Steps to Success relies on community generosity.

  • Training scholarships for women and single parents
  • Mentoring and workshops
  • Practical help for families in need