Changes to CalFresh Create New Challenges for Chrysalis Clients
At Chrysalis, we know that employment success depends on more than finding a job. For many individuals working to achieve economic stability, access to food provides the foundation needed to participate in training programs, attend interviews, maintain employment, and focus on long-term goals.
That is why Chrysalis is closely monitoring changes to California’s CalFresh program and evaluating how those changes may affect the thousands of individuals we serve each year.
CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps millions of Californians access nutritious food each month. Chrysalis serves approximately 8,000 individuals annually who are working to overcome barriers to employment, housing instability, and justice involvement; we estimate that approximately half of these individuals rely on CalFresh to help meet basic needs while pursuing employment and long-term stability.
Access to reliable nutrition is closely connected to employment success. Individuals are better positioned to participate in job readiness activities, attend interviews, and retain employment when they have consistent access to food and other necessities.
Hunger Doesn’t Wait—And Neither Can We
We are expanding our food-related resources because we know that consistent access to nutritious meals is essential to employment success. No one should have to choose between putting their energy toward figuring out how to feed themselves or working on their job search.
Chrysalis is also evaluating how we can best support clients as changes to CalFresh continue to be implemented. This includes exploring ways the organization may be able to assist clients in documenting participation in employment and workforce development activities when appropriate.