Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, where a soundtrack of gunshots and helicopters seemed to play on repeat, Cordaro struggled to find the motivation to steer his life in any particular direction. A 6-year prison sentence stopped Cordaro in his tracks, motivating him to build a better life for himself and his family. With support from Chrysalis, Cordaro landed a job and changed his future.
There are about 2,000 homeless encampments around downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Six days a week, a nonprofit organization takes on the monumental task of cleaning up trash in a 49-square-block area called the Business Improvement District. Here’s how they do it.
In 1984, John Dillon founded Chrysalis, Apple released the first commercially successful computer, and Myron was looking back on his first two years in prison. It would be another three decades before he would arrive at Chrysalis and start a massive game of catch-up with the world and technology.
At the end of April, Chrysalis announced its plans to expand to Orange County later this year. According to Chrysalis CEO Mark Loranger, further expansion is anticipated in 2019 and 2020. Chrysalis is filling a need. But how does the Chrysalis model work? And how is it grappling with the challenges of expansion?
At Chrysalis, we celebrate with a client who lands a job by having them ring the bell; however, we also recognize the value of celebrating the “little bells” along the way. Hear from Chrysalis client, Marshall, a transitional jobs worker with Chrysalis Enterprises in this Q&A.
“A job gives someone a chance to change their life, but you’ve got to give someone a chance to get a job,” shared Caesar, a graduate of the New Roads to Second Chances program, sponsored by Caltrans and the City of Los Angeles and managed by Chrysalis.
Chrysalis has an exciting new partnership with the Weingart Center that is creating jobs and changing lives!
Every morning, John Johnson and Sydney Sheiner set out to chat up the people who frequent places such as the Central Library’s Maguire Gardens, the 4th Street overpass and Pershing Square. Their mission is to contact, interview and assist the roughly 130 homeless people living at any time in the west side of downtown.
Omara fled to the streets at a young age, because being on her own seemed a better alternative to living in an unstable and abusive home. Drugs eventually became another escape. On a downward path spurred by her addiction, Omara eventually landed in jail and lost custody of her five children. She realized she needed to create a better future for her family.
Enrique grew up thinking that people with jobs were different than he was. And going to an office or having a 9-to-5 was never something that he would have the opportunity to do. However, upon his most recent release from jail, he decided that he was ready for something else.
As John makes his rounds in Downtown Los Angeles, he greets individuals —some all too familiar faces— all struggling with homelessness. Maybe today will be the day they are ready to come to him for help. After experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and a 24-year off-and-on battle with addiction, John knows what a challenge it is to admit when it’s time to get help.
Despite having a diverse work history, a positive attitude, and the drive to find employment, Robert was being turned down for jobs time and time again. Though he was focused on moving forward, every rejection from potential employers reminded him of his past.
The Santa Monica Mirror reports: “What can be done to help the homeless? What are the factors that contribute to someone being out on the streets, and what are the best ways to get them working and a productive member of society?”