“I’m excited to learn how to manage and perform in all aspects of that job. Not just the cooking part of it, but to be a craftsman in that field. To be able to set up the perfect environment – the vibe, the music – to get the people there before the food even comes out, to learn how to do all of that and take it to the next level,” he says, beaming.

Two years ago, at 38, Lev got his first ever job after learning the basics of working in a kitchen at Hospitality Training Academy, a nonprofit that prepares workers for jobs in the food service industry. He’s held a couple of jobs since then, but showing up consistently and building a sustainable career is still new ground. After experiencing a fraught childhood and falling into self-destructive patterns, Lev spent many years struggling to navigate life.

“I didn’t know where I fit in in life. I could never maintain any type of relationships or consistency. Just running around, not having a cause,” Lev recalls. “As I got older, same patterns, just worse consequences. Juvenile hall turned into camp, camp turned into jail, and jail turned into prison.”

Lev was ready to rewrite those patterns and eventually sought treatment at CLARE|MATRIX, a substance use recovery center. There, he began laying the foundation for a healthier, more positive lifestyle.

“I was able to realize that all those experiences led me to where I’m at currently… Through treatment—by me surrendering to the fact that I do have a problem, not just with drugs and alcohol, but I do have a problem with life as life shows up.”

At CLARE|MATRIX, Lev found deep healing, supportive mentors and peers, and the essential resources he needed to turn a new leaf. One of those resources was a referral to Chrysalis and the opportunity to re-enter the workforce with confidence and clarity.

Before coming to Chrysalis, Lev had gotten hired through word of mouth, never through a resume. This made participating in job preparation classes, writing his resume, and practicing interview etiquette all the more invaluable for Lev, who gained a new toolbox for success.

A newly crafted resume helped Lev get the job, but it’s his consistency and eagerness to learn that’s now helping him sustain it.

“I’m able to maintain my job today because I’m able to have communication skills, I’m able to be honest, I’m able to be consistent and reliable. I get to show up for myself and for others. That right there is thanks to the people in places like Chrysalis, AA [Alcoholics Anonymous], DEUCE Gym, The People Concern, CLARE|MATRIX—people who go out of their way to not just support but love me because when I went in, I didn’t love myself.”

These more nuanced skills and the encouragement that Lev received in both Chrysalis’ job-readiness program and his recovery process continue to ground and guide him on the job.

“Hearing other people share their experience and how it’s working for them in their life, I’m able to connect to it. Same thing when I go to a job: I’m connected to it because it’s something I get to do, not something I have to do,” Lev says of his new outlook. “Because to me, cooking is not something I have to do—I get to cook. That’s my stuff. I’m in the kitchen, that’s my element.“

Today, Lev is energized to be building a career in the culinary arts. He sees food as the “common denominator,” something that always brings people together. For Lev, that looked like helping his grandmother make pierogi (dumplings) in his home country of Ukraine, gathering with extended family over backyard feasts, and learning how to cook creative dishes for others in prison.

“I don’t get to spend time with my family now, but I’m able to get that experience for other people by connecting them through food. I get to be part of their experience,” Lev says. “To me, that’s fulfilling. It’s better than getting a paycheck because I’m able to be part of that experience and unite families, friends, and couples.”

Across different stages of Lev’s life, food has connected him to people and, now, to his purpose. Food (pizza, in particular) has also given him a metaphor to think about his journey from recovery to employment.

“It makes sense not just in the food, but in life. For me, I connected it to the foundation—the dough. For me, my recovery is that. By me being sober and clean, I’m able to have infinite possibilities, infinite toppings of what I can do today: job, life, people, relationships.“

Lev’s new job is just one topping, but it’s one that he baked into his life with a great deal of intention, care, and perseverance.

The post Success Bells: Lev first appeared on Chrysalis.

She is tenacious. She is loved and the people around her know they can rely on her. She is a go-getter who knows what she wants in the future.

But her journey did not follow a straightforward path.

For many years, Guadalupe was proud of the life and family she was able to build. Her career spanned office, healthcare, and management roles before becoming a stay-at-home parent. Together with her husband at the time, she created a comfortable, stable life for her children.

Things changed drastically, however, after she and her then husband got involved with substance use. Very quickly, life as Guadalupe knew it escaped her grasp; they both lost their jobs, their home, and eventually custody of their children. What followed was a downward spiral of Guadalupe’s mental and emotional health and a cycle of instability marked by homelessness, relapsing, and incarceration.

After her first encounter with the justice system, Guadalupe learned about Chrysalis. At the time, she shrugged off the referral from her probation officer.

“I thought I didn’t need them. I thought, I know how to land a job, I just need the opportunity to get an interview. So I put it off,” Guadalupe remembers her outlook before being confronted by a new reality. “I had ample experience and education, but being fresh out of jail with the charges I had, nobody would hire me. I even tried applying to a company that was felony friendly, but they wouldn’t hire me.”

Several closed doors led her back to Chrysalis’s open ones.

Guadalupe enrolled in Chrysalis’ job-readiness program and was soon hired onto a Chrysalis Roads crew doing freeway maintenance. A business line of Chrysalis’ employment social enterprise, Roads provides transitional jobs for clients like Guadalupe who may be facing more significant barriers to attaining a job.

Reentering the workforce was a major step forward, but Guadalupe wasn’t fully ready to walk a new path. She hadn’t committed to transforming her life at that point and recalls, “I was just there to do what I was told.” Still struggling with substance use at the time, Guadalupe ended up getting re-arrested, leaving Chrysalis’ program, and losing custody of her children once again.

When Guadalupe returned home, she had the opportunity to spend quality time with her children. This brief reunion brought on feelings of both joy and remorse, and she was reminded of what mattered most to her. Unwilling to let any more precious time with her children pass her by, Guadalupe’s courage to change was about to align with the path that was open to her.

She enrolled herself in rehab, initially planning to spend just two weeks there for a detox program. But by the end of the program, a case manager asked her, “What’s your plan after this? Is this it?” Having come this far, Guadalupe wanted to keep moving forward. She was committed to transforming her life and wanted to make sure it stuck.

After the program, she knew where she could find her footing: Chrysalis. Guadalupe re-enrolled as a client and was eventually brought onto a new Roads crew. This time was different, and her supervisors took notice. Within three months, Guadalupe was promoted to a lead, and six months after that, she became a supervisor.

Guadalupe appreciated how her professional growth brought her closer to her personal goals: “I could show the court that I was changing. That’s all that mattered: for me to show proof that I was serious about wanting to get my girls back, and that I was going to do the right thing, stay in the right path, and that I wasn’t going to relapse.”

This newfound job stability and progression served as an anchor for Guadalupe as she continued to struggle with depression, anxiety, and grief while tirelessly working to regain custody of her children. Not only did she find support from her managers during this time, but she also experienced catharsis working alongside others who had experienced similar challenges.

“Pain knows pain. Maybe people don’t understand the same language, but if you went through the same struggle, people tend to rely on you or open up to you,” Guadalupe says about her peers who took interest in her story. “They use you as a [symbol of] hope because they think, ‘You went through this? You’re going through a struggle, you lost your kids, and you’re fighting for them—how did you do it? How did you stay positive?’”

As Guadalupe continued to advance in her role and build trust among both Chrysalis and Caltrans crewmembers, more opportunities came her way. Encouraged by her Caltrans counterparts, Guadalupe applied to work at the state agency after intentionally developing her skillset as a Roads supervisor. It took several rounds of applications, interviews, and rejections, but Guadalupe was determined to prove herself. Her persistence led her to a Worker I position at Caltrans, where she has now been for over a year.

Guadalupe’s journey to a budding career at Caltrans was also her journey back to her children, her family, and ultimately herself. By committing to her personal development, she also repaired her most important relationships—eventually regaining custody of her children and rebuilding the trust she lost from her extended family.

“Without my kids, I don’t think I would have ever done it. Just them alone is my sole motivation for anything that I do in this world right now,” Guadalupe says. “Now, I know that I make my kids proud because I can see it in their eyes. That’s why I will never go back to that life—because I can remember the pain and the disappointment that I caused them.”

Although Guadalupe can confidently say she is happy with where her life is now, she has no plans of stopping. Calling this period in her life her “transition chapter,” Guadalupe is steadfast in her commitment to learning new skills and evolving as a person. Right now, she is working toward earning her Commercial Driver’s License, which can open new doors for her at Caltrans and beyond.

Guadalupe’s story reminds us that transformation is never linear. It can be filled with setback after setback, but perseverance, intention, and the right support can also push us forward. In Guadalupe’s case, the promise of a stable job and the love for her children were exactly what she needed for her own personal chrysalis.

“I come from struggle. I had it good, and I fell all the way to the ground, but you know what? Once you hit the bottom, the only path is to go up. No matter what anybody says, no matter what we’ve done in our past, people can change.”

The post Success Bells: Guadalupe first appeared on Chrysalis.

Since he first came to Chrysalis two years ago, Ruben was motivated to find a path back toward meaningful work. He worked one-on-one with employment specialists who helped him fine-tune his resume and practice his interviewing skills. Eventually, he was hired as a transitional worker through Chrysalis’ employment social enterprise Safekeeping, where he supported unhoused patrons in safely storing and accessing their personal property. After his one-year term, he jumped at the opportunity to participate in Ladder Up, a paid internship and training program that prepares individuals for jobs in the social services sector.

Chrysalis’ Ladder Up program connected the dots between Ruben’s customer service experience, his lived expertise with unemployment and homelessness, and his passion for seeing others succeed. Alongside a cohort of seven other Chrysalis clients, Ruben participated in weekly workshops, hands-on experience, and personalized career support. The training curriculum covered topics such as trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, mental health first aid, trauma informed de-escalation, intersectionality and cultural humility, and boundaries and ethics.

Ruben had done some case management work in a previous role, where he helped veterans navigate benefits and services in a large transnational corporate environment. With this background, he already possessed some of the skills he was learning about through Ladder Up: practicing active listening, understanding an individual’s layered circumstances, and assisting with empathy. But the program’s curriculum gave him a deeper understanding of tried and true approaches that are grounded in psychology and sociology.

“Now we know we can apply [these practices] more formally and use techniques to obtain better results. We can see this science behind this kind of work, which is beautiful,” says Ruben. “It’s also helpful in life because we learn to help ourselves and to interact with others, like family members, neighbors, and coworkers. [We learn to] be open-minded and understand people from their perspective, not from being judgmental.”

Through participating in Ladder Up, Ruben gained clarity around the type of specialized work he wanted to pursue, as well as certifications that positioned him as a competitive candidate. By the end of the eight-week program, Ruben was hired as a case manager at a local nonprofit called Turning Point, which exists to break the cycle of poverty, mass incarceration, homelessness, and mental disparities.

In his new role, Ruben is paying it forward by helping people who have experienced trauma, violence, and many of the same challenges he had to navigate:

“It makes my work easier—the fact that I went through what part of my clients are going through at this moment. I also went through that situation. I was homeless, I was unemployed… And it feels familiar. When I help them, I feel like I’m helping myself.”

His day-to-day work involves helping justice-impacted individuals who are rebuilding their lives after incarceration. As Ruben connects them to resources for employment, housing, food, and transportation, he directly applies both his Ladder Up training and the indirect training he received as a Chrysalis client.

“I can adopt some techniques that were applied to me in different ways. My case managers helped me learn about this activity even though I didn’t know I was going to be doing it eventually in my life,” Ruben reflects. “We have to be patient. We have to be humble. We have to use psychology…to build rapport and interact with people. That makes it easy for them to be more open to the questionnaires. It makes them open for us to help them with exactly what they need—to understand what they’re going through and be empathetic. It’s a process that is nice and it’s human.”

Excited to have found a purposeful role that leverages his unique strengths, Ruben feels both a sense of personal gratification and assurance in his career trajectory. He believes that case managers in organizations like Chrysalis or Turning Point serve as a “bridge” for people in need who are sometimes misunderstood by society. He takes pride in helping his clients rebuild, and he continues to move himself forward as well.

“I bring transferable skills from the customer service field, but I feel more comfortable as a case manager. It’s one of my goals to develop a profile and experience in this area, which has a lot of job opportunities in different areas: in healthcare, in law… Case management is very wide, and that’s where I’d like to focus to develop my expertise.”

From a transitional job with Chrysalis’ employment social enterprise to specialized training with Ladder Up, Ruben’s path forward was bolstered by programs that added to his skills and earned him income. It was just the boost that he needed to get into a new career where he has room for growth. It’s these kinds of steps that leave Ruben feeling like he is putting his best foot forward.

Ruben’s future is bright, but for now, he’s taking time each day to appreciate the results of his adaptability and hard work. From his tireless job search to the hours spent learning new skills in Ladder Up, his story reminds us of what’s possible when we stay curious and committed to learning and growing.

“I’m excited every morning that I wake up early and go to my job… And when I finish my shift every day, I’m so thankful and go home with the satisfaction that I’ve done a good job.”

The post Success Bells: Ruben first appeared on Chrysalis.

Banc of California Chairman & CEO Jared Wolff to Receive the Corporate Trailblazer Award

Max Greenfield Returns to Host Ball on October 10 in Los Angeles

 

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 4, 2026) – Chrysalis, the Southern California nonprofit organization that helps people find meaningful work and build futures they can be proud of, regardless of their past or present, announced today that the cast of the beloved comedy series New Girl (Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone and Damon Wayans Jr.) will receive the Rising Phoenix Award at the 2026 Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on Saturday, October 10, at The Beehive in Los Angeles. Jared Wolff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Banc of California, will be honored with the Corporate Trailblazer Award, and Max Greenfield will host the evening.

The New Girl cast will reunite 15 years after the series premiered to receive the first-ever Rising Phoenix Award, in recognition of a seven-season comedy series built on starting over, and on the people who make starting over possible. Success is almost never a straight line, and it rarely comes without the unconditional support of others. That idea was at the foundation of the show and remains at the core of how Chrysalis works with its clients, supporting them from ashes to their success bells ringing. The award takes its name from one of the show’s most-quoted lines, delivered by Greenfield as Schmidt: “Without ash to rise from, the phoenix would just be a bird getting up.”

Wolff will receive the Corporate Trailblazer Award, which honors individuals and companies that demonstrate a visible and sustained commitment to uplifting the communities Chrysalis serves. He has led Banc of California as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2019 and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2025. A longtime Chrysalis supporter, Wolff has made improving Los Angeles as a place to live and work a personal priority. He serves on the CEO Council of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and joined Steadfast LA’s coalition of business and civic leaders working to rebuild the city after the January 2025 wildfires.

“This year’s honorees reflect the resilience and second chances at the heart of Chrysalis’ work,” said Mark Loranger, President & CEO of Chrysalis. “Jared, through his leadership at Banc of California, has invested in Los Angeles where our clients are doing the same and New Girl built seven seasons around characters navigating through life changes and starting over. Every year, Chrysalis helps thousands of people achieve goals they may not have thought possible, and the Butterfly Ball allows us to celebrate their accomplishments while ensuring that even more people have access to the support they need.”

The Butterfly Ball is Chrysalis’ signature fundraiser, bringing together leaders from entertainment, business and philanthropy to raise critical funds in support of the organization’s mission to help individuals navigate obstacles on their path to meaningful employment. Everything Chrysalis does is about getting people jobs, because a job isn’t just about a paycheck. It’s about feeling safe, finding stability, growing within the community, moving in and moving up. Jobs change people’s lives.

The 2026 Honorary Co-Chairs are Betsy Beers, Rebecca Gayheart Dane, Max Greenfield, Hayward Kaiser & Susan Harris, Chris Hart, Cynthia & Bob Hart, Rick Hess, Josh Lieberman, and Amelia Williamson. 2026 sponsors include The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, TruAmerica, and US Bank.

Past Butterfly Ball honorees have included Betsy Beers, Common, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Hudson, Ice Cube, Donna Langley, Shawn Levy, LL Cool J, Seth MacFarlane, Ryan Murphy, Queen Latifah, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Curtis Stone, Scott Stuber, and Olivia Wilde.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ChangeLives.org/Butterfly.

ABOUT CHRYSALIS
Chrysalis helps people find meaningful work and build futures they can be proud of, regardless of their past or present. Since 1984, Chrysalis has served more than 95,000 individuals at its six centers and locations throughout Southern California. In 2025, nearly 2,200 Chrysalis clients secured employment while participating in Chrysalis’ program, and nearly 1,600 worked a transitional job with the organization’s employment social enterprise. Learn more at ChangeLives.org.

MEDIA ASSETS: Press materials, including approved photography and honoree bios, are available for download HERE.

MEDIA CONTACT
Tentpole Group
Christina Canseco / Maddie Cuttler
christina@tentpolegroup.com
maddie@tentpolegroup.com

The post The Cast of ‘New Girl’ to Reunite for the Inaugural Rising Phoenix Award at the 2026 Chrysalis Butterfly Ball first appeared on Chrysalis.

Before moving to the west coast, Delminio lived and worked in the rural Midwest. His career spanned a variety of trades – from operating cranes and forklifts to repairing coffee pots at Oklahoma’s oldest coffee roaster. Since he was young, he understood the value of a job and believed that hard work would push him forward. But when a series of what Delminio called “wrong decisions” led to his incarceration, that forward progression came to a standstill.

Delminio found himself back at square one. His sister offered him a place to stay in Southern California. To him, it was the perfect place for a fresh start.

“When you have to start from the beginning and start from scratch, that says a lot about a person. It says a lot about a person’s character—to start all over again and make something good happen out of it. You learn from your mistakes, and you just keep on going.”

He was a thousand miles away from home now, but the lessons that country life taught him continued to ground and guide him. Hearing his father’s voice in his ear, Delminio reminisces: “He’d always tell me, ‘Ain’t nobody going to give you nothing in life. Ain’t nobody going to hand it to you and put it on a silver platter. Anything you get that’s worth having, you’re going to work for.’”

True to the ethos his father instilled in him, Delminio set his sights on finding a job to get back on his feet. His probation officer referred him to Chrysalis, where he worked at developing new skills and building meaningful relationships with peers.

“Chrysalis helped me by giving me a chance to work—by giving me a chance to prove my worth and manhood,” he says. “I learned that if you work and work hard at it, something good’s going to come out of that. If it’s money you’re looking for, that’s going to come. And then, not only just money comes, but a sense of worthiness and pride.”

Self-motivated and eager to resume working, Delminio was soon hired onto a Chrysalis Roads crew. There, he worked on freeway maintenance alongside other Chrysalis clients and Caltrans employees. He put his best foot forward every day and built rapport with his team members, who began to take notice.

“I got to meet other people that worked for Caltrans. They got to telling me, ‘Hey man, you need to go over there and put in an application. You’re a good worker – they might hire you.’ And that’s what I did. It was really encouraging. They’d always keep pushing me forward.”

One year later, he was hired as a Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker.

It’s a dynamic job that brings him to different locales across the region, with projects that vary from day to day. The ever-changing pace provides a welcome reprieve for Delminio, who felt a sense of idleness during incarceration. Reflecting on how much has changed since then, he smiles and says, “Life is coming alive right now.”

Through his work, Delminio keeps millions of commuters moving every day. And he wants to keep moving, too. He looks forward to further building his career, getting a place of his own, and enjoying the outdoors with his own boat or RV one day.

“You live through the fire to get to the sandy beaches and tropical weather. You went through the fire. Now it’s all blue sky, blue water. You’ve just got to keep on sailing. You’ve got to keep on going.”

Although he’s made it to the land of blue skies, it’s not his end destination. For Delminio, his goal has always been forward movement. Instead of coasting along, he continues to sail toward new shores through hard work, a renewed sense of self-worth, and encouragement by those around him.

The post Success Bells: Delminio first appeared on Chrysalis.

Yoshinoya Helps Chrysalis Jobseekers Stay Nourished on Their Path to Employment

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 17, 2026)— Chrysalis is proud to announce a partnership with Yoshinoya, whose generous donation of meal gift cards will help ensure that individuals seeking employment have access to nutritious food while working toward their career goals. 

Through this partnership, Yoshinoya has provided gift cards redeemable for a regular bowl — beef or grilled chicken on rice with veggies — at participating locations, offering immediate support to Chrysalis jobseekers as they navigate the challenges of securing employment. 

For many individuals experiencing economic hardship, food insecurity can create an additional barrier to finding and maintaining work. Access to a meal can make a meaningful difference for jobseekers attending interviews, participating in employment programs, and taking important steps toward self-sufficiency.

“At Chrysalis, we know that meeting basic needs is critical to helping individuals succeed in their job search. We are grateful to Yoshinoya for their generosity and commitment to our jobseekers. This partnership helps ensure that individuals can focus on building their futures without having to worry about where their next meal will come from.”
— Mark Loranger, President and CEO of Chrysalis

Yoshinoya’s support reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local communities and helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. The gift cards will be distributed to Chrysalis clients throughout Los Angeles county as part of the organization’s comprehensive employment services.

“Yoshinoya has been part of the Los Angeles community for decades, and we believe that means showing up for our neighbors when it matters most. As a brand with deep roots in LA, we feel a real responsibility to help address food insecurity — even if it’s one meal at a time. We’re honored to walk alongside Chrysalis in this work.”
— Nannette Richardson, VP Marketing, Yoshinoya

Chrysalis serves thousands of individuals annually through job-readiness programs, one-on-one support, and transitional employment opportunities. By addressing immediate needs such as food access, partnerships like this one help create a stronger foundation for long-term success.

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About Chrysalis 

Chrysalis helps people find meaningful work and build futures they can be proud of, regardless of their past or present. The nonprofit organization helps people facing the highest obstacles to employment, including incarceration and homelessness. Through personalized job-readiness services, one-on-one support, and transitional jobs programs, Chrysalis works with nearly 8,000 Southern Californians each year to find and retain employment, reconnect with their communities, and build brighter futures. For more information about Chrysalis, visit www.ChangeLives.org.

About Yoshinoya America

At Yoshinoya, Japanese-inspired cooking is the essence of our menu and sharing that delicious experience with each of our guests is core to our mission to Fuel the Soul. Dating back to 1899 with the opening of its first restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, Yoshinoya is among the oldest quick-service restaurant chains in operation. Throughout its century of experience, Yoshinoya continues to grow aggressively while operating or franchising more than 2,000 restaurants in Japan, Mainland China, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines and with 100 locations in California. Guests can customize their bowl from a variety of insanely craveable menu options, including our signature Gyudon Beef Bowl® that started it all. For more information, visit the company’s website.

 

Media Contact:

Mallory Loring  Chrysalis  Director of Communications  (310) 401-9391  Mallory.Loring@ChangeLives.org

Nannette Richardson Yoshinoya America, Inc.  Vice President of Marketing  Nannette.Richardson@yoshinoyaamerica.com

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The post Yoshinoya Helps Chrysalis Jobseekers Stay Nourished on Their Path to Employment first appeared on Chrysalis.

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.

The post New Challenges to Accessing Nutrition first appeared on Chrysalis.

Over the years, David has been a critical partner and advocate to clients on their journeys toward stability and fulfillment in their work and lives. With a firm belief in Chrysalis’ mission, David has adapted with our organization over the years, wearing a variety of hats to support our work: promoting new initiatives, serving on the Board of Directors, facilitating staff trainings, and most recently, welcoming new clients at orientation. He was first connected to Chrysalis through his business community in Downtown LA.

“I was involved with an organization called the Downtown LA Breakfast Club. Every other meeting, we would have a speaker come in, and one day Karen [Baker] came in – she was the director of Chrysalis at the time,” David recalled. “Working downtown, [you could] see homelessness continue to grow and become a problem. And I was so impressed with what Chrysalis did. I called her that day and came down for a tour.”

Having spent his career leading sales and marketing in the office furniture industry, David leveraged his expertise to help promote Chrysalis’ emerging initiatives: “They were just starting Works [Chrysalis’ street maintenance employment social enterprise], and they didn’t have a sales plan for going about promoting it. It was a nice transition to help a little bit at that time. Then it proceeded from there.”

David’s involvement eventually evolved when he joined the Board of Directors, where he served for 15 years. During that period, he helped the organization navigate leadership transitions and expand office space at Chrysalis’ Downtown LA and San Fernando Valley centers. When he retired from his professional career, David stepped down from the Board but continued to be passionate about supporting Chrysalis clients.

He went on to become a program volunteer, facilitating new client orientation every week at the Downtown LA center: “My job was to introduce clients to Chrysalis and give them as much encouragement as I could that this program works and to stick with it.”

Across all of these roles, David has met hundreds of clients—learning about the obstacles they’re navigating and seeing them find success through Chrysalis’ job readiness program.

His biggest lesson? Perseverance.

“Every time I walk through this building and I see all of the people in the computer lab and the ones that I have in a class, I wonder, Could I have overcome the challenges they overcame to accomplish what they’ve accomplished?”

He shared that Chrysalis’ clients have broadened his understanding of the circumstances that unhoused and justice-impacted individuals are facing here in Los Angeles: “I didn’t realize the barriers that homeless people had getting into the job market. Hearing stories about drug use, alcoholism, losing their family… And then more recently, [Chrysalis has been serving more] people coming out incarceration. The things they’ve had to overcome are tremendous.”

David learned from clients he worked directly with in the classroom, as well as clients he met at Chrysalis events. One of his most memorable moments was at a book event that Chrysalis hosted. The author’s work resonated closely with the experiences of Chrysalis clients, one of whom was moved to share her journey with the group that day.

“She said the worst day of her life was when she lost her two daughters. The happiest day of her life was today when she got her daughters back. And then she brought them out to greet us,” David recalls. “It was unbelievable. It was so emotional.” 

These powerful stories of transformation continuously renewed David’s commitment to volunteering at Chrysalis. That sense of service was also deeply rooted in the example set by his parents, who spent much of their lives volunteering in their own communities.

“From the time I could remember until she passed away, my mother volunteered for Easterseals. She was involved in that organization forever,” David remembered with a smile. “And every Christmastime, my parents would volunteer at retirement homes and help with Christmas decorations. Dad would say, ‘We’re going to help decorate the old people’s home.’ And I said, ‘Do you know, Dad, you were probably the oldest person in that home?’ And it’s true, but that’s what they did. They were always helping people. Maybe that was the start of it.”

He continued that legacy by encouraging his grandchildren to take on Chrysalis’ cause as well. When his teenage grandson started a nonprofit organization that distributed food and hygiene items, David told him, “Boy, do I have a place for you.”

These health bags featured essential items in handy backpacks, and David knew that clients would find both the bags themselves and the items inside useful. He connected his grandson’s efforts with Chrysalis, delivering about 50 of these health bags every month to the Downtown LA center. After his grandson graduated from high school, David’s granddaughter continued the effort—this time, with health bags tailored to women’s needs as well.

Across multiple Chrysalis eras and initiatives, David has truly had a ripple effect on our clients who are facing the greatest barriers to the workforce. His dedication has helped open doors to opportunity for countless individuals, and we are fortunate that he will continue to be part of the Chrysalis community.

As he moves on to a new chapter in his life, he encourages those considering volunteering to take on his charge.

“Do it. I got more out of Chrysalis than Chrysalis got out of me. As a volunteer here, you will really get a lot of satisfaction because day in and day out, you will see the results of what you do.”

The post Volunteer Spotlight: David first appeared on Chrysalis.

Dante has had the unique experience of working with three of the four Chrysalis Enterprises business lines: Roads, focused on freeway maintenance throughout Southern California; Safekeeping, which encompasses housekeeping services and safe storage (also referred to as “The Bin”); and Works, which handles street maintenance for Business Improvement Districts.

We recently sat down with Dante to learn about his experiences as a Chrysalis client and team member. In our conversation, he talks about his journey of perseverance and the resources and community that have encouraged him to move forward.

Chrysalis: How did you first find out about Chrysalis, and why did you decide to give our program a try?

Dante: I first found out about Chrysalis in 2017 when I was in a drug program in the city of Venice. A lot of us [in the program] went to Chrysalis in Santa Monica. In 2021, I was trying to get my life in order again. I was in another program and went from there into sober living. I didn’t want to give up on myself, and I knew Chrysalis would be here for me. Chrysalis would be there to give me that head start.

Chrysalis: What did you hope to change in your life by coming to Chrysalis?

Dante: I just felt stuck on the streets. No way around it. I had no money for food—nothing. I couldn’t get out of where I was at. My grandma passed away when I was around 15 or 16, and I was homeless since then. I would bounce around here and there. A lot of my early jobs were mainly warehouse jobs. Sometimes their contract would end, and I’d have to find another job. I never lasted over three months at a job until working with The Bin. I felt good working that job for a whole year straight. And I want to continue with this [driving] job for a whole year straight and however much longer I can.

Chrysalis: What has your experience with Chrysalis Enterprises been?

Dante: When I got back in touch with Chrysalis in 2021, I was working with Roads in Santa Monica. I [later] started working for Safekeeping for a year, and now I am a driver with Works in the Arts District. Being on the Roads crew was fun. I liked helping clean up. We got to work alongside Caltrans [] as well. It gave me hope that maybe I could work with Caltrans one day as well. At Safekeeping, we would hold people experiencing homelessness’ belongings, loved ones’ ashes, important documents, paperwork. We keep [their items] in a storage bin and take their bin to them. It felt good to know that there’s even a place like that. When I was on the streets, I didn’t know a place like that even existed.

Chrysalis: Tell us about your new role as a driver with Works in the Arts District.

Dante: We meet in the morning to load up the trucks with fresh boxes of bags. We make our solution to clean out the back of the truck for the end of the day. We cover five zones in the Arts District, and we change all the trash cans, pick up bulky items (beds, dressers, etc.). We also sweep up the curb lines. Each day, we sweep up a certain zone, and if there’s another zone that really needs it, we sweep up that zone as well.

Chrysalis: What makes it meaningful to work alongside people who’ve shared similar experiences?

Dante: I have different driver’s assistants, and sometimes they’re going through some things. I can show them that I was once in their position as well and [encourage them] to keep coming to work every day. I can see myself – different parts of myself – through these people. It’s a good reminder to never give up on yourself and always try. Maybe I was in that position—I still am in that position sometimes. I need to hear it from someone, and it keeps me motivated.

Chrysalis: Are there other resources or services you were able to access as a client?

Dante: I also got my certification in welding through Chrysalis. They sent me to a place called ReIGNITE Hope. It was a faith-based program, and it was really awesome. We would study different types of welds. There are three different welds: Stick, MIG and TIG. I got certified in Stick and MIG. I always wanted to get into welding because my dad builds motorcycles, and a lot of people in my family do welding.

Chrysalis: How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Dante: I like to listen to music, hang out with friends, or go to art galleries and music shows. I like skateboarding.

Chrysalis: What do you see as the next step of your journey?

Dante: I’ve just got to keep pushing forward. I want to learn as much as I can here and maybe even bump up to a lead and eventually a supervisor. I want to continue being open and learn as much as I can and see how far I can take this. I just don’t want to be back where I was in the beginning. I just have to continue showing up every day, and everything will fall into place.

Chrysalis: How has that consistency and stability impacted your life outside of work?

Dante: It’s kept me busy. It’s training me for the future. This is what you have to do in life every day: you have to work. It’s also brought me closer to my family. This is the closest I’ve ever been around my family. They say they’re proud of me and encourage me to keep doing what I’m doing—that it’s working and to just keep pushing forward, don’t look back. They’re happy that I’m working and doing something, and I’m not just on the streets. I feel they have more faith in me now than before, when there was a gap between us. I’m not just wasting away—I’m actually trying for myself and giving myself a chance.

Chrysalis: What advice would you give to new Chrysalis clients?

Dante: Always believe in yourself and never give up on yourself no matter what. Take what Chrysalis offers and work with them. Always call your Employment Specialist and try to get as [many] job leads and the little things that [Chrysalis] offers. Take advantage of it while you can. Find a permanent position so you’re not floating around. Just push forward. Keep coming back.

Chrysalis: Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself or your journey?

Dante: Thank you guys so much for being by my side and helping me get through this thing called life.

The post Before the Bell: Dante first appeared on Chrysalis.

Nancy first learned about Chrysalis through OneOC’s Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She was intrigued by the organization’s volunteer listing: teaching job preparation classes to individuals navigating barriers to the workforce. Although nonprofit board service was a path she considered, she ultimately knew she wanted to participate more on “ground level” with an organization. This opportunity—getting to interact with and support clients directly—was exactly the type of work that excited her.

Soon enough, Nancy was teaching five to six classes a month at Chrysalis’ Orange County center. During Chrysalis’ four-part Job Preparation series, clients reflect on their existing skills and learn job readiness strategies. Nancy teaches three classes in the series focused on 1) the job search, 2) the interview, and 3) job retention, as well as one comprehensive class designed for young adults.

Nancy brings a wealth of professional knowledge and experience to her volunteer role, having last served as Chief Operations Officer at SCAN Health Plan. There, she supported older adults in accessing dignified healthcare and solutions for aging well. Her career and academic focus emphasized public health, giving her an awareness and appreciation for the unique health disparities and life circumstances that different populations face. At Chrysalis, we see that expertise show up in her deep empathy for the communities that our organization serves.

“I have professional experience that I can share through the classes… What I don’t have is a lot of the lived experience that many of the clients have: having had to wrestle with substance use disorders, having a justice system interaction, being homeless, being from a broken home. The way they approach the class—those experiences are part of them, they’re part of the fabric of their lives,” Nancy shared. “What I try to do is make my experience available in a way that makes sense, but also to really learn from the clients in the classroom, from their perspectives.”

Because Nancy approaches her role with such humility, clients can feel more confident in not only the program curriculum but also their own skills and expertise. One example that illustrates this is when Nancy’s classroom became a space where clients with lived expertise were able to take the lead. A client who shared that they were diagnosed with ADHD expressed that they occasionally have trouble with continuous listening at work and asked Nancy for advice. Nancy acknowledged that she didn’t have personal experience with ADHD, but still offered her perspective in a respectful and helpful way. Two other clients chimed in, sharing that they also have ADHD, and Nancy opened the floor to their expertise. She recalls, “They started supporting each other, and then we had a conversation about tactical approaches to manage that on the job. That was a great discussion that they all benefited from, but I certainly benefited from it, too.”

Part of what makes Nancy’s classes so engaging to clients is her willingness to put herself out there. She has expressed that she admires the bravery of Chrysalis clients re-entering the workforce, and they challenge her to be brave, too. One of her favorite Chrysalis moments is during a practice interview, where clients chose an interview question for her to answer on the spot: “I’m so glad I didn’t practice the answer. It was such a better conversation for everyone to give that feedback and also to see what it looks like to receive it.”

Nancy’s warm demeanor, collaborative approach, and skillful facilitation add color to the curriculum and clients’ experience. Completing the class series is the very first step in Chrysalis’ job-readiness program. When they are engaged and their lived experience is honored in the class series, they have a more positive outlook on the path ahead. The Chrysalis team is grateful for Nancy and the critical role she plays in changing lives through jobs.

The post Volunteer Spotlight: Nancy first appeared on Chrysalis.