When Marshall retired, he knew he wanted to use his newfound free time to volunteer. Though he was searching for the right opportunity, he actually found Chrysalis on accident. While in Downtown Los Angeles for lunch one day, he came across Chrysalis’ center and was quickly intrigued. He sent in a volunteer application and, soon enough, was part of the team.
“From the very beginning, I liked Chrysalis and it seemed like a place I wanted to be connected with,” he explains. “Anyone who lives in L.A. sees a lot of people living on the street. It’s a big issue and I wanted to do something.”
As a former corporate recruiter, Marshall knew he could use his skills and experience to help prepare resumes and conduct practice interviews with clients. With his background in reviewing potential employees, he is especially well-versed in evaluating resumes and interviewing potential employees. This has allowed him to be a helpful resource for Chrysalis clients over the past four years.
“I kind of like doing resumes the best,” Marshall admits. “When you’re done, you have something. [The clients] have something they can hold. And, I know what makes a resume one a recruiter wants to read.”
Through his time at Chrysalis, Marshall says he has gained a better understanding of people from different walks of life and of the realities of homelessness. While he once worried he might not be able to connect with someone who had been incarcerated, lived with a substance dependence disorder, or experienced homelessness – to name a few – he soon realized that the individuals he was working with were just like him – people.
“That sounds kind of funny, doesn’t it?” he laughs. “When I tell people you’re working with individuals who just got out of prison, for example, they think it would be intimidating or scary, but it’s not. [The clients] are not all that different from me, except for a little bad luck or many things that are beyond their control.
“People can become homeless just like that…” Marshall pauses to snap his fingers. “Losing a job, or the car breaks down and you can’t get it fixed…and one thing leads to another.”
It’s this understanding that pushes him to spend time improving a client’s self-esteem during their one-on-one time. When it comes down to the impact he wants to have on clients, it’s more than them walking away with a new resume or having practiced for an interview. He wants to know that the client feels confident in themselves and ready for whatever comes next.
Over the years, Marshall has met a variety of individuals who come into the center for services. Not everyone has what one might consider an ‘inspiring story’ and sometimes the work is challenging, but no matter how the day goes, when it’s time to go home, he feels good about his time at Chrysalis.
“[Volunteering at Chrysalis] is part of my life now. I wouldn’t be here for four years if this wasn’t a great organization.”