In 2019, we had the privilege of introducing you to Stephanie. Now, four years later, we are honored to provide an update on her remarkable journey, which showcases her continued personal and professional growth and the profound impact she is making in our community.
“Life on the streets was definitely crazy,” she shares. “Going from always having a comfortable place to stay to being homeless was an eye-opener for me. Sleeping in a tent on the side of the freeway or underneath a bridge was definitely something I’d never experienced before.”
A white sprinter van pulled into the convenience store parking lot, and Stephanie immediately recognized the Chrysalis logo. After a brief conversation with the driver and crew members, she was excited to learn that our employment social services organization had opened up a center in her hometown of Orange County.
After becoming a teen mother, Stephanie experienced many tumultuous years involving substance use and homelessness. At one point during that time, she was a victim of rape, which led to a pregnancy. She was living in her car throughout this period. As soon as she gave birth, child and family services removed her baby from her care. “That just led me to spiral,” Stephanie shares. She describes a season that followed marked by substance use, cycling in and out of jail, and sleeping on the streets.
Recently released from jail and living in a shelter, Stephanie knew that she would turn to Chrysalis for support when she was ready to reconnect to the workforce.
In moments of lucidity, Stephanie knew that she needed to make a change. “There were days where I’d wake up in my tent and be like, Is this real? When am I going to wake up from this dream?” One day, when local police officers approached where she was sleeping and offered Stephanie help, she said yes.
After connecting with a church and getting sober, Stephanie secured employment through a temp agency, but she didn’t have the financial resources needed to purchase a uniform for her new job. She knew exactly where to go for assistance.
“When I came to Chrysalis, they didn’t care that I was staying at a homeless shelter. I genuinely felt they cared and wanted to help.”
Chrysalis helped Stephanie procure the items she needed for her uniform as well as additional attire for future job interviews. She was also paired with an Employment Specialist, who helped her develop a personalized employment plan and walked her through the myriad of additional resources available to her through our job-readiness program. “[My Employment Specialist] was like a friend,” Stephanie shares, “She would follow up on a monthly basis. She really wanted to ensure I was doing good.”
Stephanie dove into our job-prep classes, during which she honed her resume-writing and interview skills, received guidance on writing cover letters, and was coached on answering questions about her experience in the justice system with potential employers. She also worked with us to reinstate her Driver License, secure her ServSafe Food Handler certificate, and received transportation assistance to and from work and interviews.
While holding two serving positions and working as a Community Organizer, she went back to school. In 2022, she graduated with five associate degrees and is currently earning her bachelor’s degree from a state university, with plans to apply to law school to practice dependency law. Her eyes light up as she imagines advocating for and representing parents like herself.
“When I think about going to law school, all I have are feelings of wanting to make a difference.”
As a trailblazing public policy organizer, Stephanie is also the founder of Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone (FIR4E), an Orange County based nonprofit that provides formerly incarcerated women with housing, family reunification, workforce development, and advocacy support.
While her gratitude to the organizations and individuals that have supported her is evident, Stephanie also emphasizes that her transformation would not have been possible without her faith. “I’m just overwhelmed with gratefulness for everyone who has played a part in my journey.”
It was our pleasure to present Stephanie with the John Dillon Award at our 2023 Butterfly Ball. Named for our founder, the award goes to a client who embodies the ethos of empowerment and change. Stephanie’s indomitable spirit and commitment to her community stand as a testament to what individuals can do when they are met with clear pathways to success. Chrysalis is in awe of Stephanie and grateful to have been a part of her journey.