Santa Monica, Calif. (November 12, 2009) – On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 350 supporters gathered at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica and raised a quarter of a million dollars for the Los Angeles based non-profit organization. The event also marked the 25th anniversary of Chrysalis, which has helped more than 30,000 men and women in Los Angeles out of poverty and homelessness through employment opportunities. The non-profit organization was especially proud to celebrate, as Chrysalis has been able to help over 1,100 individuals into jobs in the first three quarters of this year – despite record unemployment throughout the state. These individuals have the most barriers to employment; lack of education, little or no work experience, and suffer from periods of homelessness and severe poverty.

The inspirational evening honored John Dillon, who founded Chrysalis on Skid Row in 1984 at the age of 22. Dillon is currently the First Vice President of Investments at Smith Barney in Bethesda, MD.          

Former Chrysalis client Roy Williams received the John Dillon Award for making great strides to becoming self-sufficient with the help of Chrysalis. A 46-year-old male with numerous felony convictions and a drug addiction when he came to Chrysalis in 1995, Williams attended the job preparation classes, created a skills-based resume and learned how to use a computer. He obtained a position with Chrysalis Works, sweeping streets, then, through Chrysalis Staffing, as a janitor for SRO Housing Corporation, a local agency in Skid Row. Since then he has worked his way up to Property Manager. In addition to managing several hotel buildings, Roy has been studying and preparing for the real estate license exam he will soon be taking. He and his wife bought a home in Palmdale; he attended two years of Theology school and become a certified Pastor; and he is often invited to speak to motivate others to make positive changes in their lives.

Other honorees were:

• The City of Los Angeles and Mayor Tom Bradley- Provided early support for Chrysalis and continues to actively support the organization. City Controller, Wendy Greuel, accepted the honor.  Ms Greuel worked in Mayor Bradley’s office in 1984 which had been instrumental in funding Chrysalis when it was founded

• Karen Baker- Instrumental in creating Chrysalis Enterprises, the organization’s innovative business that provides thousands with transitional jobs. Appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger, Ms. Baker currently serves as Executive Director of California Volunteers

• The City of Santa Monica- Active for 15 years and continues to support Chrysalis’ progress in ending homelessness in the community

• Martin Early- Has provided essential resources to the San Fernando Valley office since opening in 2000. At 80 years old, Mr. Early continues to volunteer weekly with his wife Anne

• Brad Rowe- One of the original founders of the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball, now in its 9th year

• Alan Long- Former President, Sotheby’s International Realty, purchased and donated the Santa Monica building

• The Junior League of Los Angeles and Jill Baldauf for creating the Women’s Empowerment Program in 1999.

• All Chrysalis’ Board Chairs: Greg Langer, Founding Board Chair (1984); Mary Ellen Kanoff (1989); David Walsh (1992); Colin P. Shepherd (1994); Adlai Wertman (2000); John Wasley (2001); Tim Dubois (2003) and current Board Chair, Robert E. Hart.

The 25th Anniversary Celebration brought together more than 350 business people from legal, entertainment, finance and hotel sectors for a VIP cocktail reception and live and silent auction to benefit Chrysalis. Notable attendees included Chrysalis CEO Mark Loranger; USC Marshall Professor Wertman; Bill Mechanic, “Who Killed the Electric Car;” Producer Chris Paine; Fred Sands; Executive Director Jessica Whaley, Culver City Downtown Business Association; Assistant City Manager Katie Lichtig, City of Beverly Hills; President of the Junior League of Los Angeles Minna Taylor; President of Finance Rick Hess, Creative Artist Agency; President and COO Tim Dubois, Edward Thomas Collection of Hotels, including Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa Del Mar; Santa Monica Chief of Police Tim Jackman and City Controller Wendy Greuel.

About Chrysalis

Chrysalis is exclusively dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. Chrysalis’ three main service centers are located where homelessness and pockets of poverty are most pervasive:  on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, in Santa Monica, and in the Pacoima area of the San Fernando Valley. For 25 years, the organization has helped over 30,000 individuals change their lives through jobs.  Chrysalis philosophy is a steady job is the single most important step in a person’s transition to long-term self- sufficiency. For more information on Chrysalis visit www.changelives.org. 

About Chrysalis Enterprises

Chrysalis Enterprises, a division of Chrysalis, offers quality services to businesses and government agencies throughout Los Angeles County while providing paths out of poverty for thousands of men and women every year. Through its two business divisions, Chrysalis Works and Chrysalis Staffing, Chrysalis Enterprises offers individuals who need work experience the opportunity to reenter the job market through apprenticeship and temporary work assignments.

# # #

Media Contact: 
Murphy O’Brien, Inc
Jenna Newmark / (310) 586 – 7131 / jnewmark@murphyobrien.com

Chrysalis
Patrick Shandrick / (310) 401 - 9391 / patrick.shandrick@changelives.org