CHRYSALIS ENTERPRISES LAUNCHES A RECYCLING PROGRAM TO KEEP VENICE BEACH CLEAN & PROVIDE "GREEN" TRANSITIONAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES
LA City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, the Venice Neighborhood Council & Chrysalis Enterprises have formed an innovative environmental partnership to install 12 new recycling bins on the Venice Boardwalk, the City's #1 tourist destination. Chrysalis Enterprises workers provide the day-to-day labor needs for the recycling project
These new blue recycling bins divert tons of material from landfills, prevent litter from contaminating the Santa Monica Bay & create new “green collar” jobs for economically disadvantaged & homeless individuals.
Chrysalis Enterprises collects 11 tons of recyclable material a month from these bins & other local recycling projects. That equals almost 700,000 soda cans or almost 400,000 bottles a month!
KICKOFF PARTY FOR 7th ANNUAL CHRYSALIS BUTTERFLY BALL
 Eric Dane, Brad Rowe, Jason Lewis and Justin Chambers along with Butterfly Ball Co-Chair Rebecca Gayheart hosted a kick-off cocktail party for the 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at Saks Men's Store on Tuesday, April 29th! Guests included Geffen Records Chair, Ron Fair, one of our honorees at the 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball, Dean Cain, Camille Guaty, Jessica Collins, Patrick Muldoon, Rick Hess, Anna Getty and many others. The evening brought together celebrities, executives, social influencers, tastemakers and fashion savvy men – and those who shop for them! – for an evening of mixing, mingling and shopping - all in support of Chrysalis programs!
CHRYSALIS WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
 Chrysalis’ Women’s Empowerment program completed another successful session this month with 22 Chrysalis clients graduating from the program, and the generous assistance of over 30 volunteers! The program, originated by the Junior League of Los Angeles, is a unique eight-week series available to Chrysalis’ female clients that builds self-esteem and motivation through workshops on resumes, interview skills, money management, and more. Traditionally, the program also includes a career panel where clients can learn about interesting career paths and histories. This year, the group was lucky enough to host two former Chrysalis clients who are now in their “dream jobs!” In addition to the weekly workshops, the participants were also treated to a fabulous “Makeover Night,” where professional makeup and hair stylists updated their looks, and dressed the clients in professional business attire. (A special thanks for Forme salon in Santa Monica for donating space!) A huge round of applause to our three co-chairs Angelique Litten, Heidi Lazo, and Sylvia Boyd, who helped Chrysalis seamlessly take over the program from the Junior League.
 LARAE MARDESIC BECHMANN NAMED PRESIDENT/ CEO
Chrysalis is thrilled to announce LaRae Mardesic Bechmann as our new CEO/President. After an extensive recruitment process, LaRae was selected from a field of stellar candidates to lead programs and operations for Chrysalis and Chrysalis Enterprises, and guide the organization’s strategic growth and financial sustainability. "The Board and I are very pleased to have such an effective, successful and passionate leader as LaRae to head our organization," said Bob Hart, Chrysalis Board Chair. "LaRae has proven her success in the development department and has led the organization through two of the highest-grossing events in the organization’s history. We look forward to her leadership at Chrysalis.”
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Program Updates: Three Exciting New Initiatives at Chrysalis
We are happy to share three new initiatives we’ve begun in order to support our clients’ drive for self-sufficiency.
Clients with criminal backgrounds often continue to pay for mistakes they have made in their pasts in the form of limited job prospects. But through our new Expungement Clinics – offered in partnership with Homeboy Industries, O’Melveny & Meyers LLP, and Public Counsel – clients have an opportunity to clean up their records. Expunging convictions can serve as a message to employers that these prospective hires are turning a new leaf, and – more importantly – allows clients to answer the question, “Do you have any convictions on your record?” with a confident (and truthful!), “No.”
Education and earnings potential are also closely linked. Studies have shown that individuals with a high school diploma earn 40% more than those without, yet over one-third of Chrysalis clients do not have their diploma or equivalency certificate. Our new GED Support Program, being initiated this fall through a grant from the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation and an anonymous donor, will encourage our clients to pursue their GED and help them earn it. During the evenings, we will provide test preparation resources, dinner, and the opportunity for clients to work with volunteer tutors to study for the battery of five exams. With GEDs in hand, these clients will soon be ringing the success bell for higher wage jobs!
Lastly, imagine a client getting hired in his or her dream job, only to lack the equipment they need to perform it. Through our new Material Needs Fund, we are now able to offer clients the resources to purchase these items – such as tools, tool belts, uniforms, and safety equipment. Thanks to the Castruccio Family Foundation for making this new initiative possible!
If you are interested in participating in any of these new initiatives, please contact Michael Graff-Weisner, VP of Client Services, at MichaelGW@changelives.org or 213-806-6341.
The Monarch Group Hosted its first event at Bar Lubitsch Bash to Benefit Chrysalis
The Monarch Group's kick-off event was a great sucess and made possible thanks to the generous support of Jared Meisler of Bar Lubitsch, Casa Noble Tequila and Effen Vodka! Chaired by Joanna Leon and Naseem Sagati, the Monarch Group is made up of young professionals dedicated to helping Chrysalis change lives through jobs!
 Chrysalis 2007 Butterfly Ball is another huge success!
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Chrysalis 2007 Spring & Summer Newsletter
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Chrysalis 2006