We recently sat down for a Q&A with Gerardo, a Chrysalis client working a transitional job as part of one of our street maintenance teams based in in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Chrysalis: How did you find out about Chrysalis, and why did you decide to give our program a try?
Gerardo: I found Chrysalis through the Phoenix House when I was in treatment. I saw the opportunity and I was willing to try something new to get my foot back in the door when it comes to work. I’ve gotten everything from bus tokens to clothes for job interviews [at Chrysalis], and I’m part of LA:RISE.
Chrysalis: How does it feel to be part of the Works program?
Gerardo: It feels great because I hadn’t been working for a very long time when I got hired. Now, I’ve been promoted two times and I’m a Driver and Lead.
Chrysalis: What do you like about your transitional job?
Gerardo: It’s very open with my schedule and it helps me prepare for outside jobs. It’s perfect for me.
Chrysalis: What kind of outside job are you looking for?
Gerardo: I actually started working at the Phoenix House on the weekends as a Drug and Alcohol Technician about a month ago!
Chrysalis: What are you currently working on?
Gerardo: So far, this is where I wanted to be around this time. I’m accomplishing all the goals that I set for myself. I’m very comfortable where I’m at right now. It’s really an accomplishment getting to work at Phoenix House after being there myself. There’s a lot of people who look up to me now. It feels good and it keeps me motivated to move forward. A lot of my brothers from Phoenix House have come through Chrysalis and are enrolled in the Works program.
Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee?
Gerardo: I think it’s all the hard work and dedication I put into my job.
Chrysalis: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Gerardo: Music has been my career for the past 16 years. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid and I work with people all over Los Angeles. I just had to take a break from that to get my life back together.
Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote that keeps you motivated?
Gerardo: Every day, I tell myself to just keep pushing forward. I lost too much to even try to look back, so I just keep moving forward.
Chrysalis: What advice would you give to someone new to Works?
Gerardo: I’d tell them to give it a chance and allow room to grow. There’s a lot of resources here, so if you do that, you can move ahead.
Chrysalis: Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself or your journey?
Gerardo: I’m a perfect example of someone who had it all and lost it all to a disease called addiction, and is now getting his life back together. God gave me another chance to live and I’m taking advantage of it. Music has been my life since I was a kid and I got to make a career out of it, but I fell to the floor because of that disease. I had to hit rock bottom to realize that wasn’t the life I wanted to live. So, I took the steps to go to treatment, look for something like Chrysalis, and give myself another chance when it comes to work. I’m taking the necessary steps to live a better life.
My Employment Specialist is like a guardian angel and I’m very grateful for everything I have in my life right now and everyone who has helped me – but also, if it wasn’t for me putting the foot work in, none of this would be happening.
Chrysalis: Thank you for your time, Gerardo!
Established in 1991, Chrysalis Enterprises provides a transitional jobs program to clients who face the greatest barriers to employment. Transitional employment offers our clients the opportunity to gain real-world skills, build confidence, earn a paycheck, and develop the experience needed to find and retain long-term employment. Clients working a transitional job are in an important stage of their individual transformation, which is highlighted in the interview above.