“When I first started working for Chrysalis as a client, I knew right away that this was for me. I looked around the van and thought, ‘This is where I belong.’” In many ways, a Chrysalis Roads van embodies the essence of a chrysalis. It serves as a space for growth, change, and transformation for […]
Richard wakes up each morning and greets the day by getting on his knees and saying a prayer of gratitude. After spending the better part of his life struggling with substance use and cycling in and out of the justice system, he celebrates being free, sober, steadily employed, and embracing all that life has to […]
In the early morning hours, Alan gets ready for work and tends to his garden – accompanied by the gentle clucking of his family’s two hens. Life under an open sky alongside his loved ones and coworkers looks vastly different than it did 28 years ago, when he was sentenced to nearly three decades in […]
It was a dark night as Patrik biked through Venice Beach. When the officer flagged him down, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was initially detained for not having lights on his bike, he was grateful for the opportunity to ask for help. After six years of homelessness and substance use, Patrik was […]
Every morning, Can Dee reports to work at 6:00 a.m. with the Chrysalis Roads program. She shares, “I put on my uniform with pride.” She takes satisfaction in a job well done as she and her fellow crew members travel to locations like Westminster, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach to provide freeway maintenance in partnership […]
When Graham was faced with a life sentence in prison at 21 years old, he thought he would never go home. His grandmother – whom he called his guiding light – had passed away while he was fighting his case. He remembers thinking, I’m done. I don’t have anything to go home to. When Graham […]
For three decades, Gilbert viewed the world through a small window. From his cell, he could see a desert field, a fence, and a car patrolling the surrounding area. He also envisioned what life would be like while not incarcerated… a colorful life that involved time with loved ones and embracing meaningful employment. He […]
Robert greets his freeway maintenance crew at 7 a.m. sharp. As the group clocks in and reviews safety protocols, he sees that one of the individuals appears discouraged and learns that they almost skipped their shift. After a brief chat, Robert convinces him to stick it out. Chrysalis Roads is a division of our employment […]
From an early age, Tom had a drive to work, especially on jobs that he could take a step back from at the end of the day and see what he helped make. “[My dad] set me up with some roofers, thinking that they were going to wear me out. Turns out, I liked pushing […]
David Nazar with Sustaining US on KLCS PBS reports on the importance of addressing homelessness and recidivism rates by connecting our Southern California community members to employment opportunities – particularly people who are navigating housing instability, previous justice system involvement, or other barriers to the workforce. In this episode, Nazar introduces viewers to Chrysalis Supervisors […]
Damien steps into each work day with a sense of resolve and purpose. While every shift is different, the goal remains the same: to show up for himself and his team. As a supervisor with the Chrysalis Roads program, each morning he ensures that his highway maintenance crew is equipped to safely and effectively provide […]
“I’m more of a family man kind of guy,” says Dave, who first connected with Chrysalis two years ago. He spends as much time as he can with his children who can’t seem to get enough of him. “Now, they always want to hang out with me. I look at them and see that glow […]
Tiffany Bey’s bags are full of books: “The Hare with Amber Eyes” by Edmund de Waal, “The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Jill Footlick and “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad. Bey also has science books, biographies and children’s books. She’s a bookworm and spends as much time reading as possible. “I like nonfiction better […]
Established in 1991, Chrysalis Enterprises provides a transitional jobs program to clients who face the greatest barriers to employment. Working with our employment social enterprise 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 […]
Sweat drips off his brow as Michael puts the next batch of material into the mold press. He can feel the muscles in his arms and legs working as he transports the weighty substances to and fro in the warehouse and in and out of the hot machines. The work is physically demanding, yet gratifying. […]
Established in 1991, Chrysalis Enterprises provides a transitional jobs program to clients who face the greatest barriers to employment. Working with our employment social enterprise 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 […]
After years of working laborious odd-jobs and nearly four years of experiencing homelessness, Paul was tired. Unsure of how to connect to job opportunities that aligned with his interests, he decided to pay a visit to Chrysalis’ Downtown Los Angeles center at the recommendation of a few community members in the Skid Row neighborhood. A […]
Addressing homelessness is more important than ever, as millions of people are unemployed because of COVID-19 By Mark Loranger / February 9, 2021 Originally published on CSQ COVID-19 has been a crisis within a crisis for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is, in large part, a health crisis. COVID-19 is another comorbidity that requires immediate triage […]
Established in 1991, Chrysalis Enterprises provides a transitional jobs program to clients who face the greatest barriers to employment. Working with our employment social enterprise 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 […]
TJ observed as an individual working on the Venice Beach Boardwalk collected trash and maintained the area. He felt a sense of pride seeing this. With an over 100-year family history in the Venice community – and in between jobs at the time – TJ wanted to know how he could secure a similar position, […]
In a recent Los Angeles Times article, reporter Doug Smith meets with four Chrysalis clients employed in transitional jobs with Project Roomkey. The program – with sites in Los Angeles and Orange counties and developed at the State, County, and local levels – is aimed at supporting unhoused, at-risk individuals age 65 and older, without […]
While temporarily suspending in-person services in mid-March in response to the COVID-19 safer-at-home orders, Chrysalis continued to offer our employment program virtually and innovated the way we operated our social enterprise to ensure safe and ongoing transitional employment opportunities for clients. Staff worked closely with clients to navigate many barriers that had become augmented in […]
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 […]
Move-in days at the property LaShonda manages are some of her favorite days. She describes one resident’s first day in the building: “I was really excited to get her in and say, ‘Welcome home!’ Her energy was awesome!” As property manager of the 76-unit apartment building, LaShonda says that no two days look the same, […]
1,000 more safe storage units are open to the community Through partnerships with the City of Los Angeles and LAHSA, Chrysalis manages several safe storage programs throughout Downtown Los Angeles. The Bin is a place where individuals may access free, secure, personal storage. The announcement made on today by City of Los Angeles officials marked the […]
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 […]
Young Graham sounded out the words in a newspaper article he had found in the house. His grandmother sat by his side, gently correcting him as he read aloud. These evening lessons were a daily ritual, and by the time Graham went to Kindergarten, he could already read and write. In the years to come, […]
Ismael sits behind the wheel of a large delivery truck packed with lumber. Some days, he might find himself transporting the cargo to Fresno or Sacramento, while on others he might be headed south toward Las Vegas or San Diego. Regardless of the destination, Ismael’s focus is on getting the job done well and appreciating […]
A few weeks ago, Chrysalis sat down with members of the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board and spoke about how employment-focused solutions are a key part of addressing the homeless crisis facing our community. They narrowed in on a new program that could serve as a vital next step for someone who is trying to […]
Michael admits that he veered off track in life a few times growing up. “I had my share of trying to be involved with gangs and drugs, but over time, I realized that wasn’t the life for me.” During one particular detour – his last sentence of three-and-a-half years in prison – Michael received word […]