PRESS RELEASE
24-Hour Fundraiser helps Chrysalis provide resources to overcome homelessness and poverty through jobs in Orange County
Anaheim, CA, March 31, 2021 — On March 25, Chrysalis partnered with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) and ten colleague nonprofits for The Future is Working Giving Day, a 24-hour online effort to bolster stronger workforce opportunities in Orange County. Today, Chrysalis announced 69 donors helped raise $31,565 to support Chrysalis’ mission of creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. In total, OCCF’s Giving Day raised 200% more than expected, totaling $179,519.
The funds raised for Chrysalis during The Future is Working surpassed an initial $30,000 goal by 6%. The more than $30,000 will make it possible to change the lives of Orange County’s most vulnerable residents through employment and help them get on a pathway to self-sufficency.
“We were incredibly moved and excited to see our community come together during one 24-hour moment, especially at the end of a year that has been challenging for everyone,” said Mark Loranger, President & CEO of Chrysalis. “My heartfelt thanks goes out to the donors and the advocates who gave their time and voices to supporting the work of Chrysalis and everyone for cheering on our job-seeking clients.”
The Future is Working Giving Day is an opportunity for donors to be part of a combined effort to build pipelines of opportunity through living-wage employment at a critical time. The 2020-2021 Orange County Community Indicators Report reveals that Orange County unemployment skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains at historically high levels with a reduction of nearly 195,000 jobs as of July 2020 – translating to a 283% increase in total unemployment. Research also shows that those job losses have had a larger impact on our most vulnerable populations. Nearly 90,000 of those jobs were lost in the leisure, hospitality, or retail sectors – sectors that traditionally employ more people who are immigrants and/or people of color[1].
The pandemic has prompted a heightened urgency to address workforce development – and The Future is Working collaborative Giving Day supported 11 Orange County nonprofits continuing to help employers, workers, students, and the most vulnerable residents adjust to rapidly changing economic conditions.
In addition to Chrysalis, participating nonprofits included CIELO; Community Action Partnership Orange County; Hart Community Homes, Inc.; High School, Inc.; Kherut; JVS SoCal; Orange County Conservation Corps; Taller San Jose Hope Builders; Youth Employment Service, and Vital Link.
“OCCF is proud to support the collective efforts of our local nonprofits committed to bolstering equitable opportunity for Orange County’s workforce,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “We are grateful to all of the donors and our entire community for the outpouring of support for The Future is Working Giving Day.”
For more information about Chrysalis visit https://www.changelives.org/. More information on Orange County Community Foundation Collaborative Giving Days, can be found at oc-cf.org/givingdays.
About Chrysalis:
Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for people experiencing homelessness and economic barriers to the workforce by providing the resources and support needed to prepare for, find, and retain employment. Since 1984, Chrysalis has served more than 71,000 individuals at its five centers and locations throughout Southern California. During 2020 and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 1,580 Chrysalis clients secured employment while participating in Chrysalis’ program and more than 1,650 participants worked a transitional job with the organization’s social enterprise. Learn more at ChangeLives.org.
About The Orange County Community Foundation :
Founded in 1989, the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) works with donors, strengthens the local nonprofit sector and works to find solutions to community needs. Since its inception, OCCF has awarded nearly $780 million in grants and scholarships, placing the organization in the top two percent in grantmaking among U.S. community foundations. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call 949-553-4202. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. View OCCF’s 2020 annual report here.
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[1] https://charitableventuresoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/OCCRF-Evaluation-Report-August-Final.pdf.