Welcome to the first issue of Chrysalis e-news & events.

In this Issue...
Chrysalis Client Success Story
Meet a Chrysalis Enterprises Customer
Events Raise Funds & Awareness!
Homeless in LA: 15 Minutes of Fame

In 2006 Raymond had been unemployed and living on the streets for over a year, following a divorce that left him emotionally and financially devastated.  Though he had a college degree and five years experience in the field of accounting, he had lost nearly all confidence in his ability to find work.  With very few clothes, no shelter, and little means of support, Raymond found his way to Chrysalis in October 2006 through a referral from St. Joseph Center, a local homeless services agency. 

At Chrysalis, Raymond worked closely with his Employment Specialist and took our series of job-search preparation classes to refresh his skills.  Raymond was also able to revise his resume, practice a mock interview, and obtain new clothing that he could wear to job interviews.  Most importantly, in this process Raymond regained his confidence and dignity.  After just a few weeks at Chrysalis, he had secured two jobs, one working part-time as a barista and the other full-time as a cook at two separate restaurants. 

However, Raymond still wished to pursue his career in accounting.  He continued a rigorous job search on his days off from work and recently secured a full-time job as an Accountant in a production company.  In January 2007, Raymond moved from the streets into his own apartment, making it a truly happy new year.  Congratulations Raymond!

Hollywood toasted designer Zac Posen at a Saks Fifth Avenue-hosted fashion show and dinner benefiting Chrysalis on March 19 at the Chateau Marmont. Chrysalis supporters Rebecca Gayheart-Dane & Eric Dane, Keisha & Justin Chambers, Balthazar Getty, Jacqui Getty, Brad Rowe, Carla Sands, Michelle Trachtenberg, Demi Moore and Kate Walsh came together to celebrate the incredible difference Chrysalis makes in the lives of men and women across Los Angeles. The evening, along with a two-day trunk show held at Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills, raised over $15,000 to change lives!


The Chrysalis Butterfly Ball, presented by Mercedes-Benz, features a VIP reception, dinner, awards and entertainment and raises $1 million annually to fund Chrysalis’ life-changing employment services. For information about the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball, sponsorship, tickets or in-kind product donations, please contact Laney Kapgan, Director of Special Events at 310.401.9393.

Appeared in www.sharingwitness.org, Jan 2007
By Adlai Wertman, Chrysalis, President & CEO

As the CEO of Chrysalis, a homeless agency with three offices throughout Los Angeles, I always heard the same plaintive cry from my peers - "Why isn't anybody paying attention to this tragedy?" If people only knew what was going on, we thought, they would surely respond with the funds and attention needed to address a population of homeless in our County of over 88,000 - significantly larger than any State.

In 2006, we all got what we asked for, sort of. First, an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times wrote a series of articles exposing Skid Row - a thirty square block area in downtown LA which has the highest concentration of homeless in America (an estimated 10,000 to 15,000). These extremely dramatic and embarrassing articles caught the attention of everyone in LA. At the same time, the development of downtown lofts had finally expanded to where it bumped up against the edges of Skid Row. Suddenly, we had created a team of strange bedfellows - citizens, businesses, developers, government, advocates and service providers, all focused on the tragedy of homelessness in LA.
Continue: Read remaining article >>