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 below:
We recently sat down for a virtual Q&A with Mureithi, a Chrysalis client who worked a transitional job as a guest service attendant for Project Roomkey, a program providing shelter and services for Angelenos experiencing homelessness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chrysalis: How did you find out about Chrysalis, and why did you decide to give our program a try?
Mureithi: I had heard about Chrysalis when I was transitioning between jobs in the past. But the real time that led me here was when I was homeless and on the streets. I was staying in a transitional shelter and they recommended it.
I started [the program] as a way to stay busy and Chrysalis gave me the opportunity to do something positive and take advantage of resources. It was also an opportunity to get back on the horse. I’ve done a million interviews in my life, but in this situation, it was fairly new because I was coming from the perspective of being on the streets and being in a shelter. I feel like many solutions stem from work… You get a lot of opportunities. I saw there were opportunities [at Chrysalis] and, if anything, it was a way to get back in the door and feel like I’m doing something to improve my situation. And so far, it’s one of the better decisions I’ve made and it’s been working out.
Chrysalis: How did it feel to work a transitional job?
Mureithi: It felt great to be part of the Works program. At the onset of COVID-19, I was working for a company stocking groceries. And right around the time those opportunities were dwindling, I got the call from Works. I had just found new housing too, so the timing couldn’t have been better. Project Roomkey was the first assignment I ever had.
It was a very new and exciting experience. We really got to be an integral part of the whole program – getting it launched and seeing it start from nothing. We thought we would be wiping down surfaces and keeping establishments clean. There were no guests there when we started. We were getting the place ready, checking the rooms, and just waiting for the first intakes. We were so excited for the residents to come. It was easy to find empathy in this situation, because many of us were struggling with our housing issues too.
Chrysalis: What has it been like to be working during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Mureithi: COVID-19, at the very beginning, was very discouraging. I got a couple of jobs that ended up getting cancelled. It was a very scary time, and there was a lot of uncertainty. I think COVID has changed the way we live and our belief systems about what safety really is. I had to quickly adapt to video conferencing apps and learn how to be interviewed while wearing a mask. Not being able to see others’ facial expressions or use mine was challenging but made me focus more on delivering solid and concise responses. It also showed me that, even with the dwindling opportunities, I could navigate that thanks to my Employment Specialist and tools I got from Chrysalis. I think I’ve done very well. I got the grocery-stocking job, Project Roomkey, and a new job working for the Census [Bureau]! I’ll be reaching out to people who haven’t responded to the census surveys yet. I’m looking forward to interacting with people.
Chrysalis: What kind of job are you looking for?
Mureithi: I would like to get back into marketing. When I was an online marketing specialist, I worked with merchants to improve their marketing programs, their visibility on the web, and their sales process. It’s very rewarding because you get to see your efforts help these clients.
Chrysalis: What are you currently working on? What’s next for you?
Mureithi: Getting my own housing is the main thing. There’s nothing more comforting than knowing you have a stable home, that you have a place to go to that’s yours. So, that’s one of my financial goals and there’s some other things I’d like to do professionally, like get my real estate broker’s license.
Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee? What would your coworkers say is your best quality?
Mureithi: One of the things that makes me a great employee is accountability and consistency. With all the jobs I’ve had, I’ve put a lot of passion and enthusiasm into the workplace. Perhaps I’m a little overzealous sometimes, but I go in with the best possible intentions. I’m going to try to raise the bar and do my best.
Chrysalis: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Mureithi: I have a lot of hobbies, everything from reading to woodworking and refurbishing furniture… I also read a lot of business-related magazines, I like to exercise, and I like photography.
Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote or something you say to yourself that keeps you motivated?
Mureithi: “It’s darkest before dawn.” Things can seem very chaotic or treacherous, almost hopeless, but things usually right themselves as long as you do the next right thing and put the effort in. Another one is, “Actions speak louder than words.” And that’s something you learn at Chrysalis. You have to put in the work, you have to do the leg work before the positive results will take place.
Chrysalis: What advice would you give to new clients?
Mureithi: Work with your Employment Specialist and try to get information from other clients. It can be great to bounce things off another person, and it can be a rewarding experience. Get through the whole process, trust the process, and do the work.