Our History
Since 1984, Chrysalis has served more than 81,000 individuals experiencing financial insecurity and housing instability, carrying out John Dillon’s vision of changing lives through jobs. Learn more about our history and how we have continued to grow our approach for 39 years, empowering our clients to work and thrive. Take a trip through time with us by viewing our timeline below:
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1984
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1985
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1987
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1991
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1992
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1994
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1997
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1999
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2001
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2002
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2004
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2005
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2011
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20122012
Chrysalis completes a $2m expansion and renovation of its Downtown center. The new facility adds additional classrooms, computer stations, and offices. Within the first three months of reopening, clients served increases by 36%. Chrysalis is named Nonprofit of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
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2014
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2015
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20162016
We prepare to launch a new five-year strategic plan. Thirty staff and board members spend 710 hours over nine months developing the plan and gathering data to help us set a goal to double job outcomes by 2021! A third employment social enterprise, Chrysalis Roads, is launched through a partnership with the L.A. Mayor’s Office of Reentry and Caltrans, which employs individuals on active supervision in freeway maintenance jobs.
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2017
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20182018
After three decades of changing lives through jobs in Downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and Santa Monica, Chrysalis opens a fourth center in Orange County – our first location outside of L.A. County! More Roads crews are launched, and a partnership with the Butte County Office of Education allows us to create freeway maintenance transitional jobs for clients in Orange County.
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20192019
Made possible through a collaboration between the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the Office of Diversion and Reentry, a first-of-its kind community center opens in South Los Angeles to reentry citizens and community members. Chrysalis in invited to provide employment services in the new space alongside community partners focused on housing, legal aid, substance treatment, and more.
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20202020
In March, Chrysalis transitions to remote work and services due to COVID-19 safety precautions, facilitating classes and one-on-ones virtually. Through an individualized approach and added support, Chrysalis is still able to be there for over 4,800 individuals accessing in-person and remote services. And, thanks to our COVID-19 Relief Fund, Chrysalis distributes nearly a million dollars in emergency aid directly to clients for rental assistance, utility bills, groceries, transportation expenses, and more.
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20212021
After maintaining housekeeping and safe storage (Bin) contracts for many years as a division of Chrysalis Works, we officially spin these services off into its own business line in 2021. Safekeeping is a division of our employment social enterprise that provides clients with housekeeping work in various settings as well as janitorial and customer service jobs at three free, safe storage facilities, where housed and unhoused patrons can store and access their personal property.
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20222022
Our 2022-2023 Strategic Plan is launched, focused on engaging with our Chrysalis community to create a more sustainable and inclusive culture, enhance our programming and infrastructure, and expand into more communities. Still navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we increase in-person services, solidify the fourth division of our employment social enterprise, and grow Chrysalis Roads in Orange County.