Success Bells | Chrysalis https://www.changelives.org Changing Lives Through Jobs Fri, 15 Sep 2023 16:29:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 Success Bells: Gilbert https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/chrysalis-enterprises/success-bells-gilbert/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:04:59 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=16546  For three decades, Gilbert viewed the world through a small window. From his cell, he could see a desert field, a fence, and a car patrolling the surrounding area. He also envisioned what life would be like while not incarcerated… a colorful life that involved time with loved ones and embracing meaningful employment. He […]

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For three decades, Gilbert viewed the world through a small window. From his cell, he could see a desert field, a fence, and a car patrolling the surrounding area. He also envisioned what life would be like while not incarcerated… a colorful life that involved time with loved ones and embracing meaningful employment. He shares, “It started off as a dream…but that spark turned into a fire.”

Shortly after his release, Gilbert was referred to Chrysalis. While employed in a transitional job within a division of our employment social enterprise, Chrysalis Roads, Gilbert secured his driver license for the first time. When the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his progress, Gilbert turned back to Chrysalis and other service providers to continue forward.

At Chrysalis, Gilbert received one-on-one support from his Employment Specialist, job-readiness coaching, and guidance on how to prepare for and dress professionally for interviews. Later, while providing COVID testing services, Gilbert recognized his passion for serving others. 

Thanks to a referral from his Chrysalis Employment Specialist, Gilbert was connected to the training and support he needed to pursue his dream of becoming a substance use counselor. For nearly a year, he has been conducting group sessions, emphasizing the importance of challenging societal stereotypes, enabling emotional growth, and envisioning success. 

No longer viewing a barren field through a small window, Gilbert sees the potential in himself and in those with whom he surrounds himself. “This is what it’s all about. Me overcoming everything that was stacked up against me.” 

Outside of work, Gilbert enjoys spending time with his family and those he loves. His journey is a testament to what everyone in our community can accomplish when their resilience and determination are met with adequate and compassionate resources and support. Chrysalis is honored to be there for Gilbert and every individual who turns to us each day.

 

 

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Success Bells: Monet https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/success-bells/success-bells-monet/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 16:18:58 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=16424 When asked what a steady job means to her, Monet smiles and looks at her daughter, “It feels good. It feels really good to be back on track. Everything I’m doing is to make a better life for her.” As a Security Guard with Southern California Edison, Monet helps to ensure public safety and the […]

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When asked what a steady job means to her, Monet smiles and looks at her daughter, “It feels good. It feels really good to be back on track. Everything I’m doing is to make a better life for her.”

As a Security Guard with Southern California Edison, Monet helps to ensure public safety and the protection of generators during power outages. In order to prioritize being there for her family during the day, she opts for night shifts – sometimes working 12 consecutive hours and getting home when many are either asleep or just waking up. This schedule offers her the flexibility to be there for her family. 

“I can do things during the day like pay bills, cook, clean, and pick [my daughter] up from school…”


Through her job, Monet is a light and keeps the lights on.


Despite nearly a decade of living in the same apartment and maintaining steady employment, Monet and her daughter lost everything after the onset of the 2020 pandemic. “It was bad. I lost my place, I lost my job… I was homeless for a while.” 

Later, as she prepared to reenter the workforce, Monet turned to Chrysalis at the recommendation of a friend. In addition to refreshing her resume and brushing up on her interview skills with support from Chrysalis staff and volunteers, she received financial support to re-establish her guard card, get CPR certified, and secure her firearm permit. She emphasizes that having the funds to do those things made all the difference.

Through Chrysalis’ partnership with Brilliant Corners and our Breaking Barriers program, she also received services that connected her to affordable housing and tenancy support designed to reduce recidivism and prevent a return to homelessness.


“Don’t give up. Keep going. I’m living proof.”


Monet celebrates being a positive role model for her daughter, stably employed and housed, and surrounded by supportive family, friends, and service providers like Chrysalis. She also looks forward to continuing to work with her Employment Specialist to secure a higher paying firearm position in order to build an even better life for herself and her daughter.

The Success Bell resonated throughout Chrysalis’ center as Monet celebrated this milestone and those to come alongside her daughter, Chrysalis staff, volunteers, and clients. After joining the celebration virtually, her Employment Specialist shared:

Monet is a powerful individual who handles tough situations with a smile and a great attitude. It is incredibly encouraging to those of us who need that energy and courage to keep going. Monet had three choices when she entered our program and she chose give it all she had. I have enjoyed working with her, watching her growth, seeing her achieve all her goals little by little, and can’t wait to see more of what she will accomplish!


Join us as we rejoice in Monet’s resilience, perseverance, and the ripples of change she is creating throughout our community by sharing her story!

 

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Success Bells: Maria https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/success-bells/success-bells-maria-s/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 19:50:59 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=16369 It’s game day. Maria spots a Dodger blue sports car in the line of vehicles she is processing for parking. As they pull up, she compliments their ride and the driver, beaming, heads into the lot at Chavez Ravine.  As an SP+ cashier and ambassador at Dodger Stadium, Maria cherishes the opportunity to greet fans […]

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It’s game day. Maria spots a Dodger blue sports car in the line of vehicles she is processing for parking. As they pull up, she compliments their ride and the driver, beaming, heads into the lot at Chavez Ravine. 

As an SP+ cashier and ambassador at Dodger Stadium, Maria cherishes the opportunity to greet fans with a smile and facilitate an efficient parking experience for game goers. The interactions – although brief – lift her spirits and those of the patrons she serves.

During the height of the pandemic, Maria exited retirement due to the rising cost of living in Los Angeles. Despite years of work history in administration and massage therapy, she worried about her ability to secure employment due to previous challenges with her mental and physical health.


“My rent was only going to continue to go up. I’m disabled…who’s going to hire me?”


Over a decade ago, Maria was struck from behind by a cyclist while walking to the beach where she lived in Hawaii. In that moment, she bounced back up, said a few choice words to the individual, and continued on her way. But after returning to LA, long-term effects finally surfaced from the head injury that she had sustained, and they affected how she was showing up for herself, her family, and at work.


“I ended up homeless for a little while. Fortunately, my children never stopped caring about me.”


With the support of her children, Maria was connected to affordable housing options and mental health resources that helped her find stability and heal. 

Determined to cover the rising cost of her rent and other bills, she exited retirement and turned to Chrysalis for help securing work. 


“Chrysalis has been a life changer for me. They gave me the support that I needed to get a job and keep a job.”


At Chrysalis, Maria completed our job-readiness program within a month. She updated her resume with the support of her Employment Specialist, accessed professional attire from our resource room, was referred to a disaster relief position supporting unhoused individuals during the pandemic in 2020, and was later connected to an administrative role at a massage therapy company. 

When the company closed that location, Maria kept going. While attending a job fair at the recommendation of her Chrysalis Employment Specialist, Maria engaged with SP+ and was hired on the spot.


“No matter how hard it gets, don’t give up. I’m amazed at the new Maria, I really am!”


Today, Maria expresses immense gratitude for her children, Chrysalis, and others for their support throughout her journey. She celebrates being in good health, having steady income and stable housing, and encourages others to never give up – no matter how hard it may get. “I’ve put down roots in the community. I feel really good about where I live. I love my job!”

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Success Bells: Robert https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/chrysalis-enterprises/success-bells-robert/ Wed, 07 Jun 2023 21:51:07 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=16216 Robert greets his freeway maintenance crew at 7 a.m. sharp. As the group clocks in and reviews safety protocols, he sees that one of the individuals appears discouraged and learns that they almost skipped their shift. After a brief chat, Robert convinces him to stick it out. Chrysalis Roads is a division of our employment […]

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Robert greets his freeway maintenance crew at 7 a.m. sharp. As the group clocks in and reviews safety protocols, he sees that one of the individuals appears discouraged and learns that they almost skipped their shift. After a brief chat, Robert convinces him to stick it out.

Chrysalis Roads is a division of our employment social enterprise that employs individuals on parole or active probation who have exited the justice system. As an individual with a history of involvement in the carceral system and substance use, Robert can relate to feeling like the barriers to starting over are insurmountable. 

Robert became a father as a teenager. He dropped out of high school, worked two jobs to provide for his family, and was faced with a painful separation from his son’s mother three years later. After turning to illegal ways of making money, he became substance dependent as a means to cope. He shares that turning himself into the police was the first step to getting sober and changing his life.

From the other end of the inmate phone, his son would say how much he missed him. “That would break me inside,” he reflects. Then, when Robert’s mother was faced with various life-threatening illnesses, he shares, “Every day I was in there, I was praying, please Lord don’t take her. I knew that was enough. My family needed me.” From that point on, Robert was determined to work on becoming the best version of himself that he could be.


“If it wasn’t for Chrysalis, I don’t know where I’d be right now.”


Robert was referred to Chrysalis by his parole officer. He beams when he talks about working with a volunteer on his first professional resume. After completing our job-readiness classes and learning the basics of hard and soft skills, interviewing, and more, Robert secured an entry-level position at a local restaurant chain. As the months went by, he accepted numerous promotions and went on to manage two locations. In another moment of need, his Chrysalis Employment Specialist connected him with funds to replace his broken refrigerator.

Robert was eventually referred to a transitional job with Chrysalis Roads. After four short months, he was promoted, and another six months later, he accepted a permanent position with Chrysalis as a supervisor. Today, he supports the business division by filling in to supervise crews that provide landscaping services from the San Fernando Valley to Orange County. When not out in the field, Robert manages logistics and ensures that vital administrative duties are complete.


“I stay positive, I work as hard as I can at my job, and I just try to be the best me I can be.”


Robert’s optimism uplifts those around him. He urges, “Stay positive. Work hard. Be patient. If you’re really dedicated, you’ll get there.” Today, he celebrates five years of sobriety, being present and providing for his son, mother, and family, and continues to impact the lives of those with whom he works.

It’s late afternoon. As the crew comes back together to clock out and say their goodbyes, Robert is approached by the individual from earlier in the day – only this time, they are smiling and encouraged. A brief thank you and a handshake later, Robert heads home to his family knowing that he did his part.

And that is why it’s so much more than a job.

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Success Bells: Maurice https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/success-bells/maurice/ Thu, 13 Apr 2023 20:33:42 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=15944 At 19 years old, Maurice was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He had been present at the scene of a murder and did not intervene. Making amends for the loss of someone’s life while determining the future of his own would become a key focus of the majority of Maurice’s existence.   While incarcerated, Maurice […]

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At 19 years old, Maurice was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He had been present at the scene of a murder and did not intervene. Making amends for the loss of someone’s life while determining the future of his own would become a key focus of the majority of Maurice’s existence.  

While incarcerated, Maurice worked – earning just $3.35 an hour – for nearly 15,000 days of his life.


41 years  |  492 months  |  14,965 days  |  359,160 hours


Despite the skills and work experience he gained while serving time, he struggled to find work for five months after his release. That’s when one of our transitional workers told him about Chrysalis. Maurice immediately enrolled in our program and worked closely with his Employment Specialist to build a resume and practice for interviews.

Not long after, Maurice was hired in a transitional role with Project Roomkey. He later went on to accept a street maintenance position with Chrysalis Works and was eventually referred to LA:RISE. Through that program, he received a laptop, transportation assistance, and job leads outside of our employment social enterprise.


“I got out of prison and needed the help, and ya’ll were there for me. I didn’t know what I was gonna do. It’s been a true blessing to be in your program.”


Today, Maurice is a maintenance worker and driver for Upward Bound House, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating homelessness among families with children. Day to day, this involves tasks ranging from ensuring that their housing facilities are clean and up to State requirements to assembling cribs and delivering candy to children of residents on Easter Sunday. 

While incarcerated, Maurice prayed for two things: mercy and grace. He has made amends for past events and celebrates that every day presents a new opportunity to move forward. He celebrates having meaningful, stable employment, being housed, and shares that among the greatest blessings he has today are his daughter and wife, who he met shortly after release. Her name is Grace.

His positive outlook and determination to seize every opportunity are palpable. Maurice is a testament to the fact that no one is defined by their past. Rather, they are in control of their perspective and response to their current circumstances. To those who might be navigating a similar situation, he shares, “You need to get your feet wet to succeed. There is help out there for you. You got to try and try again until you succeed.”


 “Chrysalis is the organization that helps the people. They are there for you.”

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Success Bells: Tom https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/chrysalis-enterprises/success-bells-tom/ Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:38:20 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=15767 From an early age, Tom had a drive to work, especially on jobs that he could take a step back from at the end of the day and see what he helped make. “[My dad] set me up with some roofers, thinking that they were going to wear me out. Turns out, I liked pushing […]

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From an early age, Tom had a drive to work, especially on jobs that he could take a step back from at the end of the day and see what he helped make. “[My dad] set me up with some roofers, thinking that they were going to wear me out. Turns out, I liked pushing myself. I also liked having money to go out with my friends without having to ask anybody for anything.”

Despite going on to develop a diverse work history in a number of industries across the country, Tom found himself experiencing homelessness in Southern California in the late 90s. Without a permanent address and with a few arrests on his record, he was met with hesitance from potential employers.

The next few years would see Tom facing a lot of moves and stressful times. He ended up needing to return home to the Midwest to focus on family and later went on to accept a job as a mechanic in Idaho. When he was abruptly laid off, he saw an opportunity to continue in a similar role in Southern California. But just months after moving back, the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down, and Tom was laid off yet again. While confined at home during the safer-at-home orders, he suffered a heart attack, and his health became a top priority. 

Tom had learned about Chrysalis when he lived in Los Angeles years prior through word of mouth. “Chrysalis was understanding.” This recollection led him back to utilizing the organization’s services upon returning to California. But this time, things were a little different as the world was navigating the pandemic. Tom stayed in touch with Chrysalis virtually and eventually re-enrolled in our job-readiness program. Through our COVID-19 Relief Fund, he received gift cards to help cover the cost of groceries and assistance with his phone bill. “It was a really huge help…It would have meant the world if I didn’t have it.” 

With his health in good standing, he connected with staff and volunteers to revise his resume, acquired professional attire for interviews, and was referred to the LA:RISE program, an innovative partnership between nonprofit social enterprises and the City and County of Los Angeles’ workforce development system.

Chrysalis Staffing, a business within our employment social enterprise, connected Tom to a temporary position as a House Attendant with Shutters on the Beach. Quickly recognizing his level of dependability and work ethic, the company offered Tom a full-time job just a few months later.

Tom reminds us that someone’s story isn’t over when they get a job. While he is grateful to have steady income and a roof over his head, he shares that making ends meet in Southern California is hard. “I don’t feel like there’s a solid path to being on solid ground, everything here is shaky. Everything is expensive. To be honest, I feel like everything could collapse at any moment. But I’ll keep holding it together and pushing myself through.”

Tom continues to engage with Chrysalis, including getting his Driver License reinstated with support from the SECTOR program and by referring others to our organization. He advises, “Be careful about how you get stuck in the system. There’s a lot of cracks out there. There’s a lot of places you can get forgotten and lost. Some people are just fine pushing your paperwork to the side. But Chrysalis isn’t one of them. Chrysalis is your best bet to become self-sufficient.”

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Success Bells: Anival https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/success-bells/anival/ Wed, 09 Nov 2022 22:42:11 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=15512 As a Detox Support Technician at CRI-Help, Inc., Anival is part of a team that maintains a safe, comforting environment and recovery process for the organization’s clients who are rehabilitating from substance use. While the prospect of entering the healthcare industry was daunting at first, Anival’s personal experience with navigating recovery and maintaining sobriety affirmed […]

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As a Detox Support Technician at CRI-Help, Inc., Anival is part of a team that maintains a safe, comforting environment and recovery process for the organization’s clients who are rehabilitating from substance use. While the prospect of entering the healthcare industry was daunting at first, Anival’s personal experience with navigating recovery and maintaining sobriety affirmed his chosen career path.  

Prior to his current role, Anival felt trapped in a revolving door of justice system involvement and substance use for nearly three decades. “It was very hard… Poverty [in East L.A.] was one thing, but on top of that, the lifestyle out there was very influential.” Despite the examples of gang involvement and drug use that surrounded him, he decided to take steps toward building a different future for himself.

Anival shares, “Most people under my circumstances let the fear of being a felon discourage them to the point that they go back to revolving circles…because they feel like they have no place in society.” His experience with Chrysalis’ job-readiness program helped shift that fear into action…and confidence.

At Chrysalis, Anival was met with the positivity, compassion, resources, and training that he needed to secure employment including resume writing assistance, practice interviews, computer lab access, and transportation to and from interviews. In addition, he was connected to a transitional job with Chrysalis Roads, a division of our employment social enterprise. Over the course of 14 years, he has built a diverse work history in industries ranging from food service to customer service, and administrative work with Chrysalis’ support. 

Reflecting on his journey, Anival shares, “I’m just a living example that, if you put in the footwork, you can do it…And Chrysalis is there to back us up. Don’t give up, it’s going to be okay.”

Today, Anival celebrates being steadily employed, sober, and having a car and established credit. He also looks forward to completing his certification to become a Drug and Alcohol Counselor in the near future. In finding his own success, he emphasizes the importance of prioritizing his mental health and setting boundaries, rebuilding relationships with his family and community, and surrounding himself with people who encourage each other and build him up. 

“Having a job means saving my life. It gives me the opportunity to give back…I realize that no matter what I’ve done or what I’ve been through, there is a place in society for me and in the workforce.”


Resources and support that were key for Anival include:

  • Resume writing and interview preparation services
  • Access to a computer lab to conduct a job search
  • Education on the Fair Chance Hiring Act and guidance on discussing a background with a potential employer
  • Financial literacy classes
  • A transitional job with Chrysalis Roads

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Success Bells: Mia https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/success-bells-mia/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:56:31 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=15073  The smell of eggs and turkey bacon infuses the air of a dining area already brimming with noisy chitchat. Mia smiles as she says, “I crack eggs every morning. I want everyone to smell what’s cooking!” In a more serious tone, she shares, “Some of [our guests] have not had a hot meal in […]

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The smell of eggs and turkey bacon infuses the air of a dining area already brimming with noisy chitchat. Mia smiles as she says, “I crack eggs every morning. I want everyone to smell what’s cooking!” In a more serious tone, she shares, “Some of [our guests] have not had a hot meal in years.” Once the plates are on the tables, the room goes quiet, and Mia and her coworkers feel accomplished as everyone enjoys their first meal of the day. 

Preparing breakfast, providing laundry services, and conducting room checks are a few of the many ways that Mia ensures that National Health Foundation’s (NHF’s) guests have a safe, hospitable stay at the organization’s recuperative care site in Glendale. As a Guest Services Associate, she is teaching everyday skills and provides a safe space to people who are recalibrating their lives after experiencing chronic homelessness or being recently discharged from area hospitals without a safe place to turn.


“Some of [our guests] have not had a hot meal in years.”
Mia Rogers, National Health Foundation Guest Services Associate


At the same time, she is building rapport with the people she serves while learning about their individual journeys experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or other challenges. “I make sure I get to know them on a personal level,” Mia shares. “You’re learning these people’s stories. And that is, for these past two years, the best thing that could have happened to me. It has made me a better person.”

Encouraging everyone around her is a top priority for Mia. In addition to caring for NHF guests, she works alongside volunteers with disabilities from Tierra del Sol Foundation, providing mentorship and guidance that will help them build the skills they need to pursue employment in the community. One volunteer’s mother shares, “Mia was an inspiration from the moment I met her. Her energy is next level, and her smile lit up the room. Her humbleness and gratitude are unlike anyone I have ever met. It is so clear she loves her job and it shows in the way she worked with my son. Mia was able to make a connection with Jonny and, despite him having a disability, he was greeted with a natural and pure acceptance. I couldn’t have asked for a better work environment for my son.”


“Mia was an inspiration from the moment I met her.”
Jeannine Guich


Mia didn’t always know that she wanted to work in human services. Despite being steadily employed beginning at age 14, she struggled to find a job and a sense of direction after high school. Not long after graduation, Mia found herself in a heated situation that resulted in a physical altercation and three months of incarceration. “I was a kid when I got into trouble. I thought I was grown… I was never a fighter, so I thought the situation wasn’t that serious.” 

But reality sunk in when probation requirements and her record quickly changed the way she was able to live her life. Once released, she wondered, “How am I supposed to work full-time as a felon and go to anger management classes two times a week?”

Housing instability was a looming threat, and just as Mia’s probation came to a close, she had to vacate her apartment due to unsafe infrastructure issues. “I didn’t have a job, I didn’t have a car, I didn’t have anything.” 

In late 2019, Mia started utilizing Chrysalis’ services and was more driven than ever to secure work. “Once I got off of probation, I was so happy. I was like, I can finally get a job – where do I start?” She completed our job-readiness classes, received individualized support from an Employment Specialist, and engaged in one-on-one resume writing and practice interview sessions. It wasn’t long before she was hired for a warehouse position through Chrysalis Staffing, a division of our employment social enterprise that connects hundreds of Southern California employers to job candidates each year.


“I knew I was going to get a job. Then the pandemic happened, and they shut everything down,”
Mia Rogers, National Health Foundation Guest Services Associate


Seeking the opportunity to grow professionally and increase her wages, Mia stayed in contact with her case manager. Then, in early 2020, she abruptly lost her job along with millions of Californians. “The pandemic happened, and they shut everything down,” Mia reflects.

Faced with starting her job search again, Mia didn’t miss a beat. She engaged in Chrysalis’ virtual services and began working with her Employment Specialist on securing job leads, completing an application for unemployment insurance, and was provided gift cards to help with the cost of groceries.


In 2020, Chrysalis distributed $975,000 in emergency relief to clients.


Mia was quickly referred by Chrysalis Staffing to NHF to work with Project Roomkey – a program made possible by the efforts of the State of California, its counties, and other municipalities aimed at creating temporary housing solutions for our most vulnerable community members during the pandemic. At first, she thought, “They want me to go work at a hotel? What am I getting myself into? But [the staff] all became a family, and we provided for the clients.”

Having a steady paycheck opened doors for Mia that were closed before. She celebrated purchasing a car and taking her first road trip. She shares, “I started providing for myself. It’s the best feeling yet.” At the same time, she discovered her passion for serving her fellow community members.

While working with Project Roomkey through Chrysalis, Mia’s work ethic and tenacity stood out to leadership at NHF, and the organization made an offer to her to come on as a full-time, permanent employee. Two years later, Mia is still with NHF and providing vital care and support to individuals who need it most. In addition to being a part of NHF’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Council, Mia looks forward to returning to school and continuing to advance her career. “When I got hired through Chrysalis, I found purpose in life. I have a steady job, I have a car, I have a roof over my head. I won!”


Chrysalis is honored to have supported and worked with Mia during her search for employment. Her persistence in the face of challenges – including job loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic – is a testament to the resilience of thousands of Chrysalis clients. We look forward to honoring her with the John Dillon Award at Chrysalis’ 20th Anniversary Butterfly Ball on October 1, 2022. Learn more about this year’s event at ChangeLives.org/Butterfly.

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Success Bells: Damien https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/chrysalis-enterprises/success-bells-damien/ Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:34:19 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=14959 Damien steps into each work day with a sense of resolve and purpose. While every shift is different, the goal remains the same: to show up for himself and his team. As a supervisor with the Chrysalis Roads program, each morning he ensures that his highway maintenance crew is equipped to safely and effectively provide […]

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Damien steps into each work day with a sense of resolve and purpose. While every shift is different, the goal remains the same: to show up for himself and his team. As a supervisor with the Chrysalis Roads program, each morning he ensures that his highway maintenance crew is equipped to safely and effectively provide litter abatement and landscaping services along our Southern California freeways.

The path that led Damien to his current stability was not forged by steps that were always so steadfast. After losing his mother at 15 years old, he felt as though he had lost his sense of direction and a part of himself. As each member of the family processed the loss in their own way, Damien pulled away from home and school and turned to the streets to find community. “Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, months turned into years,” Damien reflects when he recounts 25 years of living with substance dependence after the trauma of his mother’s death.

Damien’s pathway over the next several years was dotted with moments of clarity and reflection, which sometimes occurred while he was serving time in the justice system. “In my early thirties, that’s when I knew that I was addicted. I always wanted [to get sober], it was just finding the right footsteps to get moving.” After the close of a three-year sentence in 2019, Damien committed to sobriety and reentering the workforce at 40 years old. “I was really looking forward to it. I had a better head on my shoulders. I was able to give myself a chance this time around.”

He later joined our job-readiness program at the recommendation of his parole officer, with the goal of becoming a crew member with Chrysalis Roads.

Over the course of about a year, Chrysalis Roads management took notice of Damien’s dependability and knack for building rapport with and encouraging fellow clients. More than once, he was counseled to apply for a permanent position with the organization. “The supervisors pushed me a lot. They started to lift me up. I finally said, you know what, what do I have to lose? I’ve been running from things my whole life. I’m gonna try this.”

Today, Damien is a full-time, permanent supervisor with Chrysalis Roads. Now, he is the supervisor lifting up members of his own crew. “I love it,” he beams. “It’s the most awesome job I’ve ever had in my life. When I see other individuals that are on the same path, it makes me feel good. I know where they’re at and where they’re headed. I love my crew.”

Each day, Damien continues to build a foundation toward a brighter future – for himself and through the lives he changes each day on the job. “It’s been a long journey. I’m still finding out who I am. I’m stoked with where I am at today.” 

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Success Bells: Laura https://www.changelives.org/newsroom/success-bells/success-bells-laura/ Wed, 11 May 2022 14:12:03 +0000 https://www.changelives.org/?p=14635 May is mental health awareness month! Join us in celebrating one client who is helping to #EndTheStigma by connecting our community members to vital basic needs resources.   Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura came to Chrysalis ready to take the next step in her career. She brought with her 15 years of […]

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May is mental health awareness month! Join us in celebrating one client who is helping to #EndTheStigma by connecting our community members to vital basic needs resources.

 

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura came to Chrysalis ready to take the next step in her career. She brought with her 15 years of combined experience in mental health services, management, customer service, caregiving, and more.

Her goal was to transition from contracted work to permanent employment. The challenge? Consolidating her professional background onto one sheet of paper and navigating job applications as a primarily Spanish-speaking individual. “Cuando me dijeron, ‘Escribe todo lo que sabes hacer para tu resumen,’ me acuerdo que lo coloqué en hojas y hojas y hojas… Tenía la experiencia. Tenía la esperanza del trabajo, pero no estaba preparada con toda la documentación adecuada.” [“When they told me, ‘Write down all of your previous experience for your resume,’ I remember that I had pages and pages and pages… I had the experience and the desire to work, but I wasn’t prepared to put together the proper paperwork.”]* 

Laura worked closely with her Employment Specialist and Chrysalis staff to boil everything down, draft cover letters, apply for jobs online, and prepare for interviews in English. Access to this ongoing individualized support was key to her ability to move forward.

Today, Laura celebrates being permanently employed as a community worker with the Department of Mental Health. After completing our job-readiness program, she continued to stay in touch with her Employment Specialist virtually and even maintains contact today. “Cada vez ha sido menos, pero aun así todavía, cuando yo modifico algo por mi cuenta, se lo mando a ella.” [“It has been less and less frequent, but even so, if I update something [on my resume], I send it to her.”] 

Every day on the job looks different for Laura, and she takes each one in stride. Ultimately, she is focused on one thing: “Ayudar a la gente que tiene una situación difícil en el momento.” [“Helping people who are in a difficult situation.”]

As a community health worker, Laura provides education around and connects her clients to a myriad of basic needs resources: including those related to housing and food insecurity, domestic violence, depression, addiction, transportation needs, and more. “Mi trabajo es que los servicios los encuentren a los clientes en vez de que los clientes tengan que buscar a los servicios.” [“My job is to ensure that our clients are met with the services they need, as opposed to our clients having to seek out those services.”]

While she affirms that her job is fulfilling and helps her make ends meet day to day, she also shares that she is doing something more: Building a dignified life for herself and her two daughters. She smiles and proudly shares, “Son independientes, son mujeres fuertes y muy resilientes.” [“They are independent, and they are strong, very resilient women.”]

Laura reminds us that securing and maintaining employment is about so much more than a paycheck. It is about turning your dream into reality and not comparing your journey to someone else’s. “No me he rendido. Siempre busco mi sueño. Primero lo tengo como un sueño y después lo tengo como una meta. No importa el idioma, el estatus social…  es mantenerte en la línea – eso te va a llevar al éxito.” [I haven’t given up. I always go after my dreams. First, it’s a dream, and then it’s a goal. The language you speak, your social status, they don’t matter. It’s about remaining steadfast – that is what’s going to help you succeed.”]

We celebrate Laura’s drive and are honored to be a part of her journey as she continues to grow, thrive, and create lasting ripples of change in her community!

*Our initial conversation with Laura was in Spanish.

Ongoing career development support that Laura received from Chrysalis:

  • Navigating her job search as a primarily Spanish speaker 
  • Online job application assistance
  • Drafting and updating cover letters
  • Interview practice
  • Transportation assistance

Thank you to our supporters for ensuring that Chrysalis is available to help clients like Laura find, secure, and retain employment!

The post Success Bells: Laura first appeared on Chrysalis.

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