Clara Harter, Author at Santa Monica Daily Press
Finding a job after emerging from the criminal justice system can be an incredibly daunting task, especially in the pandemic economy.
Santa Monica based non-profit Chrysalis is on a mission to change that and thanks to funding from a new County program, will provide dedicated career mentoring to 250 justice involved adults this year.
Chrysalis is one of six community partners in the L.A. County Office of Diversion and Reentry’s Skills and Experience for the Careers of Tomorrow (SECTOR) program — a $4 million initiative to equip justice involved individuals with the training, knowledge, and support necessary to find well-paying jobs with opportunities for career advancement.
People who have been to jail or prison face many barriers to employment. They often lack job or education credentials and are unsure how to navigate application and interview procedures. Many struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues from both their experiences prior to incarceration and trauma living in the system.
Without stable employment these individuals are at a high risk of recidivism.
A study released by the L.A. County Chief Executive Office in October 2020 found that 41 percent of incarcerated individuals were reconvicted within three years of exiting the County justice system.
SECTOR is designed to be a holistic job support system and address the many challenges justice involved individuals face through therapy, substance abuse counseling, skills training, peer mentorship, and job placements.
Program partners such as Chrysalis, work with local businesses to build career pipelines for their clients and address any concerns on the employer’s end.
“We know from our 37 years of experience working with justice involved individuals that they are going to be the most loyal, most dedicated, and hardest working folks,” said Chrysalis President and CEO, Mark Loranger. “They recognize that somebody is giving them a second chance and they want to take advantage of the opportunity they’re being provided.”
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Chrysalis is excited to be part of Skills and Experience for the Careers of Tomorrow (SECTOR), a new three-year program in partnership with LA County’s Office of Diversion and Reentry aimed at connecting 1,500 individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system to training and employment opportunities in growing job industries. We will be serving 250 participants this year and a total of 750 individuals over the next three years.