FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘END TO HOMELESS' INTERN INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED BY
THE SANTA MONICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(SANTA MONICA, Calif.) –The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce has partnered with local non-profit Chrysalis in an effort to find transitional employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged and formerly homeless residents who want to work.

The internship program will focus on the 78% of homeless individuals who are extremely motivated to work but simply need help re-entering the labor market or some on-the-job training. Chrysalis will provide fully screened and prepared workers for 60-90 day internships in local businesses. Participating businesses will pay Chrysalis an hourly fee for each worker and Chrysalis will process all payroll and provide the workers compensation, liability insurance, and bonding.

“It is the best way for individual businesses to make a meaningful contribution to the problem of homelessness in our community”, said Chamber President Kathryn Dodson. “In fact, it is our attempt to respond to the requests we get every day from members asking what they, as individual business owners, can do to help”.

Chrysalis provides critical employment services to nearly 2,300 homeless and impoverished individuals annually throughout Santa Monica and Los Angeles County. For those with numerous barriers to employment, Chrysalis provides transitional jobs through their maintenance and staffing businesses. Internship opportunities include clerical, maintenance, kitchen, warehouse, and other customer support positions.

“Our organization's philosophy is that a steady job is the single most important step in a person's transition to long-term self-sufficiency and we simply could not accomplish that task without organizations like the Santa Monica Chamber and local businesses that are willing to work hand-in-hand with us to make it a reality,” stated Adlai Wertman, President and CEO of Chrysalis.

The Santa Monica Chamber plans a door-to-door campaign to promote the initiative starting in late June and “we promise to share the results with other chambers and business groups” stated Ms. Dodson.

If you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Rick Stoff at 310-392-4117, ext. 322. Additional information about the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and Chrysalis can be obtained from the organization's web sites at www.smchamber.com and www.ChangeLives.org.

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Media Contact:
Tracey Roden/Chrysalis (310) 392-4117 ext. 315