SPRING 2019 NEWS REENTRY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM GROWS
ON THE ROAD WITH CHRYSALIS Michael’s first job after prison was as a member on one of Chrysalis’ Roads crews. The transitional jobs program is designed to help reentry citizens on parole or probation prepare for and find permanent employment. Launched in November 2016 through a partnership with Caltrans and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Reentry, Roads is one of three social enterprises run by Chrysalis, all of which provide time-limited employment to individuals facing the highest barriers to reconnecting with the workforce.
In 2018, 400 clients worked with Chrysalis Roads – nearly a 40 percent increase over the prior year. And today, 10 crews provide freeway maintenance across not one, but two counties. Thanks to our additional partnership with the Butte County Office of Education, Chrysalis was able to launch a crew in Orange County – home to our fourth and newest center, which opened its doors late last year!
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It was certainly the right opportunity for Michael, who used his transitional job to develop essential soft skills and prove himself a good employee. He was promoted to Supervisor and then went on to secure full-time employment with Caltrans! In fact, 6 out of every 10 participants in the program go on to secure permanent employment.
As a Roads Supervisor, my goal was to keep the morale of my team up and to give crew members hope and guidance.
-Michael
Caltrans Employee
ChangeLives.org/Michael
Chrysalis made two big moves into Orange County by opening a center in Anaheim and launching a new Roads crew! Read more about our new location inside...
CUTTING A RIBBON IN A NEW COMMUNITY
FOURTH CHRYSALIS CENTER OPENS IN OC be a big part of achieving our overall goal, but so will opening new centers.
After being open for about two weeks, the Orange County center had its first Success Bell ringing! The person celebrating just so happened to be Jesse, the center’s first official client. He had landed a job with UPS as a driver’s assistant, and he brought his family with him to mark the special occasion. Jesse’s bell ringing encouraged the other clients present at the center and, in a way, ratified Chrysalis’ expansion.
The pathway to Orange County was paved with support from Stand Together and its venture philanthropy network. Not only has the network made significant investments in Chrysalis, it has also introduced us to numerous champions in the local area. This includes the relationship we have developed with Tom Tait, who was serving as Mayor of Anaheim when we were exploring opening a Chrysalis center in Orange County.
The new center is our first location outside of Los Angeles County and answers an urgent call to assist the population of people experiencing homelessness in Orange County, which has grown to nearly 4,800 – an increase of approximately 13 percent over five years.
“After learning about the great work of Chrysalis, I invited them to help us further expand into a full-fledged permanent jobs initiative as a pathway out of homelessness,” Tait said. “The dignity of a day’s work has the power to transform lives.”
Now two years into our 5-year strategic plan – in which we set the ambitious goal to double job outcomes – Chrysalis is proud to say we are on track to reach 2,100 jobs secured by clients in 2018. Doing more and doing better at our current centers will
We knew we would need a network of transformative partnerships and supporters in order to arrive at the milestone of opening a new center. Everyone reading this newsletter has played a role in getting Chrysalis to this point – thank you!
Chrysalis is touched by the warm welcome we have received by businesses and service providers in our new home. Of course, since we are all about jobs, we are thrilled that Orange County’s top employer Disney and its large network of VoluntEARS have been a big part of that welcome.
VISIT THE NEW CENTER! You are welcome to stop by for a personal tour of Chrysalis Orange County with our Director of Development, Lisa Dulyea. RSVP at Lisa.Dulyea@ChangeLives.org 290 S. Anaheim Blvd. Monday - Friday
Before we even began to provide services, Disney Cast Members donated hygiene items and gently used clothing to stock our resource room. This effort was one of the largest in Chrysalis’ history and will help over 500 clients. The way our Orange County community of supporters has blossomed is extraordinary, and we look forward to keeping the momentum going – for this community and for the next!
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Chrysalis gave me confidence, helped me out with my resume, and taught me my background doesn’t matter. A positive future is possible, you just have to put in the footwork.
-Jesse
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Chrysalis Orange County opened its doors to clients on November 14 after an official ribbon cutting ceremony attended by over 200 guests. The crowd was joined and addressed by then City of Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait, Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andrew Do, and City of Anaheim Councilmember Denise Barnes.
Driver’s Assistant, UPS
ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY: TONI
WHAT LIES WITHIN force to be reckoned with. “I’m working on a continual basis on believing in my potential. I’m constantly reminded that I don’t have to set the bar low – there’s something bigger out there for me,” Toni shares. With the help of Chrysalis scholarships, she became a certified notary public, secured her guard card, and obtained her real estate license!
Chrysalis and Toni met for the first time over a decade ago when, while experiencing homelessness in Santa Monica, Toni was referred to our job readiness program. After meeting her Employment Specialist, they got to work on her very first resume – the same resume she would present to the employer for whom she would work for the next ten years. Thanks to steady employment, Toni was able to rebuild her life and purchase a home.
In addition to being self-employed, Toni works part-time for the City of Beverly Hills as a parking attendant – and she is nowhere close to calling it quits on finding opportunities to develop professionally and move her life forward.
Toni’s world unraveled when the company was acquired, and she was let go just shy of turning 50. “It sent me into a state of depression. It was the longest job I had ever had. I went home and didn’t know how to look for a job again.” Then, Toni remembered Chrysalis’ Santa Monica center – there, she knew she could get the refresher she needed to prepare for and find a job. She got to work with her newly assigned Employment Specialist on a personalized service plan, updated her resume with a volunteer, and took advantage of practice interviews to build confidence. “I was late in age when I decided what I wanted to do with my life,” Toni reflects, “and I’m still figuring it out.”
U P DAT E
Toni’s drive to learn new things and find meaningful employment makes her a
She took part in the 2018 Chrysalis Women’s Empowerment Program (WEP), which offers Chrysalis’ female clients access to mentors and targeted trainings on topics such as time management, healthy living, and networking. After graduating from WEP, she dove right into another rousing opportunity – our Writing Empowerment Program – where she shared her powerful story for the first time in front of an audience of her peers. “I’ve never known a strong person with an easy past. Everything I have survived has afforded me the opportunity to say I am so grateful,” she shared during the performance. Most recently, Toni graduated from a coding class – yet another opportunity she has taken advantage of to diversify her skill set and satisfy her desire to learn more. No matter what adventures await her, Toni is up early preparing to tackle each productive day. Before she leaves, she reads a quote that hangs on her wall and closes her eyes to let it sink
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I’m working on a continual basis on believing in myself ... I don’t have to set the bar low – there’s something bigger out there for me!
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When Toni entered Chrysalis’ Santa Monica center earlier this year, the environment immediately felt familiar. “It was like coming home after you’ve been gone for a while,” she shared. Among the staff and volunteers, there were no familiar faces, but Toni knew she had returned to the right place to conduct a successful job search.
-Toni
Notary Public & Parking Attendant ChangeLives.org/Toni
in, “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” And out the door she goes, filled with gratitude and anticipation for the day ahead.
In 2019,
THE WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
becomes...
The Women’s EMPOWERMENT Conference
Since 1991, the Women’s Empowerment Program has impacted the lives of hundreds of Chrysalis’ female clients. To find out how you can be a part of this life-changing program, contact WomensEmpowerment@ChangeLives.org. sponsor
APRIL 5-6
donate
volunteer
Special thanks to: Presenting Sponsor Visionary Women and Sponosor Dermalogica
DOWNTOWN L.A.
ORANGE COUNTY
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
SANTA MONICA
UPCOMING EVENTS DOWNTOWN CENTER TOUR & SKID ROW WALK Join us at this quarterly event for a look inside the work we do and the community we serve.
MAY 16 8 to 9:30 a.m.
ChangeLives.org/Events
18TH ANNUAL BUTTERFLY BALL Since 2002, the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball has raised over $16 million to support our programs, bringing together over 750 attendees from every sector of entertainment, business, and philanthropy.
JUNE 1
ChangeLives.org/Butterfly
4TH ANNUAL POKER NIGHT Play a hand for the chance to win special prizes, test your luck at our raffle, and bid on exclusive items. It will be an evening you don’t want to miss!
OCTOBER 24
BRING YOUR BRAIN TO TRIVIA
INTRODUCING THE KALEIDOSCOPE GIVING CIRCLE Q: What is Kaleidoscope? A: The word kaleidoscope can be used as a collective noun to describe a group of butterflies. At Chrysalis, this group is a collective of amazing advocates!
TRIVIA NIGHT
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Bigfoot Lodge West 10939 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA $10 donation to play. Trivia starts at 9 p.m. sharp – arrive early to grab a spot.
The Kaleidoscope Giving Circle was launched because Chrysalis is searching for our next generation of donors and advocates. We gathered ideas and feedback from our community’s emerging leaders and the young professionals who have asked us for more ways to be meaningfully involved with the organization – Kaleidoscope is our collective brainchild!
Launched as a giving circle with a group fundraising goal, we ask our members to donate or pledge to fundraise to help meet that goal. Trivia Night on March 12 at Bigfoot Lodge West will benefit Chrysalis and is one of many fundraising events being led by a Kaleidoscope member! Chrysalis also hosts special events exclusively for the circle’s members, creating opportunities to network with peers, develop professionally, and give back. Have you been looking for the right opportunity to get involved? Meet us at Trivia Night, or find us at ChangeLives.org/Kaleidoscope.
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