In 2005, at 44 years old, Johnny arrived at Chrysalis to share some pretty big news with his Employment Specialist. After more than 20 years of being disconnected from the workforce, he had secured a full-time telemarketing job. But this is not where his story ends. This step in Johnny’s job search served as a catalyst of change that is still making waves in his life more than a decade later.
Johnny grew up in a broken home, where domestic violence, drug deals, and gunshots were all part of his normal. In early adolescence, Johnny tried drugs for the first time, and years of substance abuse, gang involvement, and run-ins with the law followed.
In 2004, after serving a total of 21 years in the criminal justice system, Johnny had more than 80 charges on his record. This time, when Johnny was released, he was reflective of his past and optimistic about his future. Motivated by the possibility of reconnecting with his family, and ready for a change, Johnny decided to pursue his dream of working with individuals who, like him, had struggled with substance abuse and experienced incarceration.
Referred to Chrysalis, Johnny was optimistic about finding work, but he was also understandably uneasy about conducting a job search for the first time. “I didn’t know anything about finding a job. I didn’t have a resume, I had never interviewed, and I didn’t have – or know how to set up – an email.”
Johnny’s Employment Specialist noticed his positive attitude from day one. While he worked with a volunteer to build his first resume and practice for job interviews, Johnny was also establishing goals with his Employment Specialist – among them, pursuing his certification in Substance Abuse Counseling, getting his driver’s license, and improving his self-esteem. Invigorated by the staff at Chrysalis, Johnny scheduled multiple practice interviews and modified his resume for different job industries based on his transferable skills. “If it hadn’t been for Chrysalis, I wouldn’t have the confidence I have today.”
Johnny worked in telemarketing, his first permanent job outside of prison, for 9 months, but he never lost sight of his dream job. In 2005, Johnny’s determination paid off, and he was hired to work as a Substance Abuse Counselor at Phoenix House, the very program into which he had been released the prior year. “It was my first real chance at employment,” he shared.
Johnny excelled at Phoenix House, receiving multiple promotions over the years. While working full-time, Johnny also pursued his bachelor’s degree, making him the first in his family to graduate from college. In 2013, Johnny accepted a position at Health Right 360, a rehabilitation center where he works to this day.
After 13 years of professional experience in drug and alcohol treatment, Johnny is still brought to tears when he talks about the individuals he serves. “Seeing the people we help succeed, improve, and reconnect with their families – it’s powerful to know that I’m a part of that.”
It has been more than a decade since Johnny first came to Chrysalis, and he is still sharing his story to educate and inspire. “I am here to tell you that every person counts, and anyone can change.” Johnny decided to build a better future for himself at 44 years old, and Chrysalis is proud to have been there when he was ready. We are inspired by the effects of change that continue to ripple through Johnny’s life and the work he does today – and it all started when someone said “You’re hired.”
In 2013, Johnny was honored at Butterfly Ball where he received the John Dillon Award. Named for our founder, the award celebrates the journey and accomplishments of a client who has overcome their barriers and obtained employment.
This video serves as a time capsule of Johnny’s story and further illustrates how far he has come on his pathway to self-sufficiency: