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 are in an important stage of their individual transformation, which is highlighted in the interview below:
We recently sat down for a virtual Q&A with Conrad, a Chrysalis client who is a part of the Works program at the Venice Beach BID.
Chrysalis: How did you find out about Chrysalis, and why did you decide to give our program a try?
Conrad: Well, I found Chrysalis when I was homeless. I had been parked outside of the Venice Beach BID for about two years, and I would see [Chrysalis clients] working every day. So I would talk to the guys here and there, and they always encouraged me to come and work. I was an alcoholic and then I woke up one day and said, “Hey, I’m tired of drinking beer for breakfast. I’m gonna get a job.” I joined around December 2020, got started immediately, and here I am!
Chrysalis: How does it feel to be part of the Works program?
Conrad: I was ecstatic! I was so happy I couldn’t sleep, and I’d wake up early to go to work. I’d be the first one there every day. I initially started in the Pacific Palisades as a sweeper. Then [a supervisor] offered me a couple days a week down here in Venice. Now, I’m in Venice five days a week, and right now I’m a painter/graffiti remover.
Chrysalis: What do you like about your transitional job?
Conrad: Just getting up and going to work again every morning – that’s my absolute favorite thing… just having something to do. Waking up and learning something new would probably be the most exciting thing I do here.
Chrysalis: What has it been like working during COVID?
Conrad: Working during the pandemic… it’s different. It’s very different. We have to keep our masks on and I run into so many people who not only do not keep their mask on, they’re not even concerned about it. But I have to be concerned about myself and my coworkers when we’re out. That was a little bit harder, keeping the mask on all the time and having to talk to the people who acted like they didn’t have a clue that there was a pandemic. But when it comes to the homeless community out here, I know most of them so we can talk.
Chrysalis: What are you currently working on?
Conrad: Lately, I’ve been attending conferences about social work. My SECTOR Career Coach just goes above and beyond to get me into these classes that are talking about the steps to become a social worker! It’s close to what I’m doing out here anyway. Even when I was homeless, I also helped people and I’ve been thinking for a long time how I can help with homelessness, not just homeless people. Being homeless allowed me to see it from the inside out and that was important. So as I talked to my counselors, they said, “Maybe you should try this.” So now, I’m hoping to go into social work.
Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee?
Conrad: My ability to adapt and always learn. That’s important: always being able to learn something new.
Chrysalis: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Conrad: I started working security the day after I started working at Chrysalis, so my hobbies after that kind of dwindled. But I surf, I can skateboard and play basketball.
I like to do anything that gets me to learn though. If my son challenges me to play video games, and I lose, I’ll wait ‘til everyone goes to bed and stay up all night practicing. Then, the next day, I can beat him and his friends! I don’t like to lose so I’m gonna learn how to win!
Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote or something you say to yourself that keeps you motivated?
Conrad: I tell myself that I get up every day to learn something new from anybody. Even a two-year-old could teach me! Like you’re teaching me right now, and maybe it’s an interview, but I am learning. And even when I might be teaching something, I know I’m also there to learn just by listening. So that helps me get through the day and some hard spots. I’m always solving problems.
Chrysalis: What advice would you give to new clients or someone new to Works?
Conrad: I would tell them that I don’t know what I’m talking about, first of all. I’m just telling you that if you’re trying to learn something new here, you have to be open to learning. And if this is your very first job, you should really try to enjoy it and it won’t be your last. Just absorb everything.
I’d tell them that every day is not so good for me either. For example, I cover up graffiti and the guy who did it is behind me, going, “Oh, thank you for painting over it! That one wasn’t good, I’m gonna make a better one!” That would upset some people but I go, “Okay!” and come back later to do it again. Don’t let nothing upset you.
Chrysalis: Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself or your journey?
Conrad: I’d just love to tell Chrysalis thank you. It’s a wonderful opportunity, even at my age. Applying here was so streamlined. Once you try it, anyone can do it. You ask for a job today and you’re excited, and the next day, you’re on your way!
People always come up to me on the street and ask, “What does it take to work at Chrysalis?” and I say, “Just pick up the phone.” And I really enjoy it when people come back and go, “I start tomorrow!”