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 prison at just 19 years old.
“I was incarcerated for 28 years…I’m just a grateful individual who’s happy to be home free and excited about this opportunity to see what the future holds for me.”
After his morning rituals and before the sun rises, Alan is on site with his fellow Chrysalis Roads crew members, prepared for another day maintaining our Southern California freeways. Retrieving litter and providing landscaping services is not easy work. But he explains that his transitional job with the Ringlet crew is a privilege and offers him the opportunity to provide for his family, pursue his long-term professional goals, empower and encourage fellow crew members, and beautify his community.
Life growing up in Los Angeles was tough, and Alan was exposed to a lifestyle that led him to gang involvement and substance use. While incarcerated, he began forging a new path – securing an Associate’s Degree in Human Services, a certification in addiction studies, and later became a certified mentor.
“I like being part of this team, that we’re all from different walks of life… To see everybody striving to be better, makes me want to be better.”
After his release, Alan wasn’t getting callbacks for jobs – until he turned to Chrysalis. A transitional job with our employment social enterprise business Roads offered him a flexible work schedule that allowed him to earn a paycheck while attending school to secure his Class A driver license – courses that were covered by a Chrysalis scholarship.
When asked about his interactions with staff, Alan shares that he knew Chrysalis was a special place right away. “This is where I need to be, these people are sincere, this help is real.” In addition to building confidence through personalized job coaching from his employment specialist, he expresses gratitude for his encouraging Roads supervisor and the camaraderie shared among the crew.
“Our supervisor reminds us every day that this is a transition to something greater…I’m proof of it. I’m still growing. I’m gaining confidence with everything I do.”
Alan embraces each day with determination, gratitude, and faith in what’s to come. He is dedicated to providing for his family, showing up for his crew, and inspiring others who have walked a similar path. “It’s sometimes hard to ask for help. I would encourage everyone to just ask…Try new things and believe in what Chrysalis has to offer.” Also celebrating eight years of sobriety, he hopes to eventually pursue a career supporting individuals battling addiction.
Reflecting on where he is today, including six years of marriage and being with his children and grandchildren, his eyes well up when he shares that he will soon get to walk his daughter down the aisle. “There’s more to life… I hope people can find the joy and happiness I’ve found.”
“I’m a proud father, grandfather, and husband who’s grateful at this second opportunity at life and freedom. Also, I’m very proud to be a crew member at Chrysalis. I love my job.”
Alan is among 8,500 Chrysalis clients who turn to our organization for support each year. Please join us in our efforts to build a stronger workforce: We’ve got a job to do.