When Victor left Mexico for the United States twenty years ago, he carried with him a deep hope and the determination to build a better future—not just for himself, but for his mother. For 17 years, he worked steadily at an antique car parts factory, proud of the life he had built.
In 2019, everything came crashing down. One night, an intruder forced their way into Victor’s apartment and threatened him at gunpoint. Before he could fully recover from the trauma, COVID-19 struck, leaving him bedridden for three months. When Victor finally returned to work, he found himself in a hostile environment, enduring ongoing workplace harassment.
“I went through a really difficult time, but I never gave up. It never crossed my mind to say I don’t want to live anymore, I don’t want to fight anymore; on the contrary, it gave me more strength.”
“Pasé por un momento muy difícil y realmente, pero nunca me rendí. Nunca pasó por mi mente decir ya no quiero vivir, ya no quiero luchar; al contrario, me dio más fuerza.”
Depression had begun to follow Victor like a shadow, so he bravely sought professional mental health support and ultimately made the decision to leave his job in order to protect his peace and wellbeing. Shortly after securing another factory position, the unthinkable happened. Just a block from home, Victor was violently attacked and robbed. He took the time he needed to heal, but he later found out that his job was no longer available.
Though these hardships could have broken him, Victor pressed on. With the guidance of his psychologist, he focused on healing while trying to navigate searching for work in a market that felt foreign. He lacked confidence in his English, had never created a formal resume, and had no experience with professional interviews. That’s when his mental health provider recommended Chrysalis.
“Chrysalis gives you the tools to keep going forward, because there comes a time when you become desperate. They give you this confidence.”
“Chrysalis te da la herramienta para seguir tu adelante, porque llega un momento que uno se desespera. Te dan esa confianza.”
At Chrysalis, Victor found more than job search support—he found a community. Working closely with his employment specialist, he built a resume, practiced for interviews, and gained the confidence to pursue customer-facing roles. Chrysalis also provided rental assistance and transportation support, ensuring he had the resources he needed to take productive steps forward.
While interviewing for a job in the food industry service against ten other candidates with restaurant experience, Victor held his head high, assuring his future employer that although he did not have direct experience in the field, he would prove his ability to do the job if given the chance. Victor got the job.
“I told them, ‘If you give me the opportunity, I am not going to prove myself with words, I am going to prove myself through my actions.”
“Les dije—Si ustedes me dan la oportunidad, yo no se los voy a demostrar con palabras, se los voy a demostrar con hechos.”
Today, Victor wakes up each day with gratitude and purpose. He balances two jobs—one at a bustling restaurant and another at a grocery store—where he finds fulfillment in his work and pride in earning his way. He’s not just rebuilding his own life; he’s giving back. When job openings arise at his workplaces, he reaches out to Chrysalis to help others find opportunities, just as he once needed.
For Victor, employment means more than a paycheck. It’s security, self-worth, and the ability to support his family—especially his mother, who visits from Mexico when she can. His story is one of resilience, proving that no matter how many times life knocks him down, he will rise again. With the right support, no one has to face their struggles alone. Today, Victor stands on the other side of hardship, ready to uplift others and build a future filled with dignity and hope.