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.

We recently sat down with Ismael, a client and Chrysalis Works team member. Ismael has been proactively rebuilding his life after experiencing challenges with homelessness, substance use, and his mental health. In our conversation, he talks about his journey and how Chrysalis has been an integral partner as he regains his footing.

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

Ismael: Some of the residents [at my sober living home] were clients of Chrysalis, and I got informed through them. Before coming into the program, I was homeless and experiencing substance use problems. Once I felt my head was on straight again, I decided it was time to get back to work. I sent out a bunch of applications and wasn’t getting the results I needed. As soon as I signed up for Chrysalis and did the initial four [job preparation] classes, my whole mindset shifted. My morale was picking back up and my mentality shifted: It’s time to get back on my feet.

Chrysalis: Tell us what it’s like being on the Chrysalis Works team. What do you like about your transitional job?

Ismael: I enjoy it. I enjoy my team, my whole crew. We go around to different parts of the city and different cities, and what we normally do is clean up sidewalks and curb lines. Some of these places that I’ve been to are pretty bad. There’s a whole bunch of stuff, a lot of litter on the street. When we give it a pass-through and go back the next day to check it out, it’s nice to see the change. It’s great when you’re able to walk and drive through clean streets. Personally, I think it subconsciously helps the morale of the community. Once people see the street is clean, it prevents them from littering afterward.

Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee and team member?

Ismael: No matter what kind of work I do, whether in my career or a job that’s considered a stepping stone to the next job, I always give it my all. I always put forward my best effort. I’m able to take on the duties of my job and streamline the process. We think, “Oh, we’re just cleaning the streets. You have your push broom, weedwhacker, and leaf blower.” But even when you’re doing street cleaning, there are certain processes you can do in a certain order to make the job so much easier and quicker. I’m really good at finding the best route to do the job successfully and in a timely manner. From there, I share my experience with the rest of the team. We all give good feedback to each other. When we find a technique that works, we pass it on and implement it.

Chrysalis: How has your transitional job impacted your life outside of work?

Ismael: Before coming into Chrysalis and the Works program specifically, I was showing signs of anxiety and depression from not being employed, from not having any kind of direction. As soon as I started making these moves and taking action, and with the help of Chrysalis (getting employment through Works), I noticed that my anxiety level and sense of desperation and depression quickly started going down. I can look back in retrospect and realize being out of work was having a negative effect on my psyche and morale. I’m glad that I was able to get this opportunity to start improving my life and start getting back on track.

Chrysalis: How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working?

Ismael: I’ll go out and see my family. I’ll make food at the house and take it to my mom, so we can enjoy meals together. I’ll also see my son and his mom. We’ll go out to the park and spend some family time together. My relationship with the family overall has improved greatly since I started this program and started working.

Chrysalis: What does your son think of the work you’re doing?

Ismael: When I initially told my son what I do—he’s 9 years old—he gave me a frown: “I wouldn’t want to clean up after anyone. I wouldn’t want to clean the streets.” I didn’t know how to explain to him that it was an overall improvement in society. So before a [Works job] started, I took him to that area and showed him around: “Look. See all this litter, stuff people dump on the street. Remember this.” Then I took him back after we were done [cleaning] that area. He cheered up: “Oh, it looks much better. I’m real proud of you, Dad.” That alone was so worth it.

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

Ismael: Right now, I am utilizing the services that Chrysalis is providing – this [transitional] employment especially – to generate some income for myself and my family. When I was homeless, I got myself in some trouble, which created a record for myself. During this time, I’m working toward cleaning up my record [so I can more easily find work again]. Once this transitional job ends, I plan on getting back into my field of work: aerospace manufacturing.

Chrysalis: How do you feel about how far you’ve come?

Ismael: A year ago, I was out on the streets sleeping on sidewalks with no sense of direction, no positive outlook. At that time of my life, I wasn’t even thinking about getting a job. I was just thinking, “I’m going to survive on the streets as best I can.” I’m glad I found the strength in me to go reach for help, and I found [that help] in these programs.

Chrysalis: Thank you for sharing with us! We look forward to seeing what you accomplish next.

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

“I was incarcerated for 28 years…I’m just a grateful individual who’s happy to be home free and excited about this opportunity to see what the future holds for me.”

After his morning rituals and before the sun rises, Alan is on site with his fellow Chrysalis Roads crew members, prepared for another day maintaining our Southern California freeways. Retrieving litter and providing landscaping services is not easy work. But he explains that his transitional job with the Ringlet crew is a privilege and offers him the opportunity to provide for his family, pursue his long-term professional goals, empower and encourage fellow crew members, and beautify his community.

Life growing up in Los Angeles was tough, and Alan was exposed to a lifestyle that led him to gang involvement and substance use. While incarcerated, he began forging a new path – securing an Associate’s Degree in Human Services, a certification in addiction studies, and later became a certified mentor.

“I like being part of this team, that we’re all from different walks of life… To see everybody striving to be better, makes me want to be better.”

After his release, Alan wasn’t getting callbacks for jobs – until he turned to Chrysalis. A transitional job with our employment social enterprise business Roads offered him a flexible work schedule that allowed him to earn a paycheck while attending school to secure his Class A driver license – courses that were covered by a Chrysalis scholarship. 

When asked about his interactions with staff, Alan shares that he knew Chrysalis was a special place right away. “This is where I need to be, these people are sincere, this help is real.” In addition to building confidence through personalized job coaching from his employment specialist, he expresses gratitude for his encouraging Roads supervisor and the camaraderie shared among the crew.

“Our supervisor reminds us every day that this is a transition to something greater…I’m proof of it. I’m still growing. I’m gaining confidence with everything I do.”

Alan embraces each day with determination, gratitude, and faith in what’s to come. He is dedicated to providing for his family, showing up for his crew, and inspiring others who have walked a similar path. “It’s sometimes hard to ask for help. I would encourage everyone to just ask…Try new things and believe in what Chrysalis has to offer.” Also celebrating eight years of sobriety, he hopes to eventually pursue a career supporting individuals battling addiction. 

Reflecting on where he is today, including six years of marriage and being with his children and grandchildren, his eyes well up when he shares that he will soon get to walk his daughter down the aisle. “There’s more to life… I hope people can find the joy and happiness I’ve found.”

“I’m a proud father, grandfather, and husband who’s grateful at this second opportunity at life and freedom. Also, I’m very proud to be a crew member at Chrysalis. I love my job.”

Alan is among 8,500 Chrysalis clients who turn to our organization for support each year. Please join us in our efforts to build a stronger workforce: We’ve got a job to do.

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

Every day, Can Dee puts on her uniform with pride.

For Can Dee, her hard work is a reflection of her gratitude to Chrysalis. “I’m just trying to be good to my company,” she says. “I’m not here to just receive from Chrysalis. I’m here to give like they gave to me.”

She was first referred to Chrysalis upon reentry after 10 months in jail, where she’d been fighting a self-defense case. “Someone was trying to kill my son, and I just blacked out,” she says. “It’s kind of hard to talk about.” Eventually Can Dee was released on bail and with a promise to the judge that she would work and go to school. 

After nearly a year of incarceration, Can Dee discovered that her landlord had given her apartment to someone else. “I lost everything,” she says. She was afraid, but she remembered that when she first moved to California from her hometown of Memphis several years back, she’d made a promise to herself: “I knew I came to bless somebody in any way I possibly can.”

After navigating the justice system and losing housing, Can Dee was connected to job search training, basic needs support, and a transitional job with Chrysalis.

Through a reentry program for formerly incarcerated women, Can Dee was connected with Chrysalis in Orange County. In addition to completing our employment program and being connected to a transitional job within our social enterprise business, her Employment Specialist provided gift cards to buy groceries and professional attire for interviews. “I didn’t have anything,” she remembers. “I had a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans and no shoes.” 

Can Dee also joined the SECTOR program and started working with Project Roomkey and the Downtown Women’s Center. She found both jobs very fulfilling. Working with people experiencing homelessness and/or vulnerable populations, including individuals who have experienced abuse or assault, is her dream. “That is something I’m very passionate about and want to do for the rest of my life.” She has also enrolled in college courses in the fields of social work and business administration. 

While working, Can Dee has been pursuing degrees in social work and business administration.

Further, at Chrysalis and through the SECTOR program, she has gained skills to explore future job opportunities. “Whatever you need, Chrysalis will help you to the best of their ability,” she says. She reflects on receiving resume-writing and practice interview support as well as assistance  obtaining her Driver License and registering for school. “And they sit down and talk with you if you don’t understand,” she says. “They care about you. They’re not faking it.”

Looking back on how far she’s come, Can Dee says, “Chrysalis has taught me how to remain humble. I am human; I make mistakes, but even though I’ve done the things I’ve done, I had to learn to forgive myself.” She says now she knows, “I’m not a loser. I’m brave, and I can do all the things I set my mind to.” 

“Whatever you need, Chrysalis will help you to the best of their ability,”

Can Dee is among 7,000 Chrysalis clients who turn to our organization for support each year. Please join us in our efforts to build a stronger workforce by making an impactful end-of-year gift today – every dollar helps us change lives!

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The post Before the Bell: Can Dee first appeared on Chrysalis.

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

We recently sat down for a virtual Q&A with Conrad, a Chrysalis client who is a part of the Works program at the Venice Beach BID.

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

Conrad: Well, I found Chrysalis when I was homeless. I had been parked outside of the Venice Beach BID for about two years, and I would see [Chrysalis clients] working every day. So I would talk to the guys here and there, and they always encouraged me to come and work. I was an alcoholic and then I woke up one day and said, “Hey, I’m tired of drinking beer for breakfast. I’m gonna get a job.” I joined around December 2020, got started immediately, and here I am!

Chrysalis: How does it feel to be part of the Works program? 

Conrad: I was ecstatic! I was so happy I couldn’t sleep, and I’d wake up early to go to work. I’d be the first one there every day. I initially started in the Pacific Palisades as a sweeper. Then [a supervisor] offered me a couple days a week down here in Venice. Now, I’m in Venice five days a week, and right now I’m a painter/graffiti remover. 

Chrysalis: What do you like about your transitional job?

Conrad: Just getting up and going to work again every morning – that’s my absolute favorite thing… just having something to do. Waking up and learning something new would probably be the most exciting thing I do here. 

Chrysalis: What has it been like working during COVID?

Conrad: Working during the pandemic… it’s different. It’s very different. We have to keep our masks on and I run into so many people who not only do not keep their mask on, they’re not even concerned about it. But I have to be concerned about myself and my coworkers when we’re out. That was a little bit harder, keeping the mask on all the time and having to talk to the people who acted like they didn’t have a clue that there was a pandemic. But when it comes to the homeless community out here, I know most of them so we can talk. 

Chrysalis: What are you currently working on? 

Conrad: Lately, I’ve been attending conferences about social work. My SECTOR Career Coach just goes above and beyond to get me into these classes that are talking about the steps to become a social worker! It’s close to what I’m doing out here anyway. Even when I was homeless, I also helped people and I’ve been thinking for a long time how I can help with homelessness, not just homeless people. Being homeless allowed me to see it from the inside out and that was important. So as I talked to my counselors, they said, “Maybe you should try this.” So now, I’m hoping to go into social work. 

Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee? 

Conrad: My ability to adapt and always learn. That’s important: always being able to learn something new. 

Chrysalis: What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Conrad: I started working security the day after I started working at Chrysalis, so my hobbies after that kind of dwindled. But I surf, I can skateboard and play basketball. 

I like to do anything that gets me to learn though. If my son challenges me to play video games, and I lose, I’ll wait ‘til everyone goes to bed and stay up all night practicing. Then, the next day, I can beat him and his friends! I don’t like to lose so I’m gonna learn how to win!

Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote or something you say to yourself that keeps you motivated?

Conrad: I tell myself that I get up every day to learn something new from anybody. Even a two-year-old could teach me! Like you’re teaching me right now, and maybe it’s an interview, but I am learning. And even when I might be teaching something, I know I’m also there to learn just by listening. So that helps me get through the day and some hard spots. I’m always solving problems.

Chrysalis: What advice would you give to new clients or someone new to Works?

Conrad: I would tell them that I don’t know what I’m talking about, first of all. I’m just telling you that if you’re trying to learn something new here, you have to be open to learning. And if this is your very first job, you should really try to enjoy it and it won’t be your last. Just absorb everything. 

I’d tell them that every day is not so good for me either. For example, I cover up graffiti and the guy who did it is behind me, going, “Oh, thank you for painting over it! That one wasn’t good, I’m gonna make a better one!” That would upset some people but I go, “Okay!” and come back later to do it again. Don’t let nothing upset you. 

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

Conrad: I’d just love to tell Chrysalis thank you. It’s a wonderful opportunity, even at my age. Applying here was so streamlined. Once you try it, anyone can do it. You ask for a job today and you’re excited, and the next day, you’re on your way! 

People always come up to me on the street and ask, “What does it take to work at Chrysalis?” and I say, “Just pick up the phone.” And I really enjoy it when people come back and go, “I start tomorrow!” 

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

We recently sat down for a virtual Q&A with James, a Chrysalis client who is a part of the Works program and was recently nominated as Employee of the Quarter for the Downtown Center BID.

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

James: Several years ago, a friend told me about Chrysalis. At that time, I was more or less unemployed, and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t know if I wanted to go back to school or stay and work. Those were pretty rough times, so I followed up on the suggestion of that friend, and I have been connected with Chrysalis ever since.

Chrysalis: When did you join the Downtown Center BID team?

James: It was pretty much a year ago. I was a floater at first, I was trying to find my way, where I fit in. Eventually, I settled in with the early morning Downtown Center BID team. In fact, it was right before the pandemic hit, and I’ve been there ever since.

Chrysalis: How does it feel to be part of the Works program?

James: My thoughts on the Works program are that it’s the best thing Chrysalis could have ever come up with. The Works program, to me, it actually gives you the opportunity not only to work but to develop social skills on how to interact with coworkers. It causes you to become positive and cheerful. You know my thing is, I say a prayer every morning and pray for a positive and cheerful attitude to go along with what Chrysalis expects of me, and it works. I get along with all of my coworkers and my supervisors.

It’s good for self-esteem, and it gives me a sense of belonging and purpose. That’s what I look for in employment. Not so much that it’s a paycheck or anything like that, but I have to like what I’m doing. The Downtown Center BID, even as a sweeper, it proves to be that for me.

Can you tell us more about your work background?

James: I’m 59 years old, so my work background varies. I’ve done everything from selling and delivering furniture to working in warehouses. I’ve painted, done some small carpentry, and I’ve worked on roofing. I was actually a desk clerk for Skid Row Housing Trust through Chrysalis and went on to become hired by them for two years until the position was dissolved. I’ve also worked as a janitor from time to time.

Chrysalis: How did your daily work routine change during the pandemic?

James: It didn’t change completely, because we always practiced safety, but there are now requirements of wearing a mask, making sure our equipment is disinfected, and making sure we continue to practice social distancing. It really didn’t disrupt our normal routine, though, but it did increase awareness. 

Chrysalis: What do you like about your transitional job?

James: There’s so many different things I like about it. I like the people that I work alongside. We have various backgrounds, but we all have something in common – we fell upon hard times, things like incarceration, homelessness, and stuff like that.

I’ve been homeless. I’m considered homeless right now. But I know how it feels to attain employment and try to work through those personal issues. Things happen to you in your life – it takes a certain type of person to maintain a positive and cheerful attitude above it all. 

Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee?

James: Well, to quote a friend of mine, he always tells me I have a big heart. I genuinely like people. I’m very concerned with how [my coworkers] feel, what [they] may be going through. I’m not what you call a superhero or anything like that, but I’m interested in people. When I come to work in the morning, if I sense a type of feeling in the air that’s leaning toward negativity and whatnot, I try to break the ice and make everybody laugh. At the same time, I let them know we have got to keep our focus. Just like my supervisor, Jason, always tells us, “Let’s go out here, let’s do our job, and go home.”

Chrysalis: What kind of outside job are you looking for?

James: I probably lean more towards a janitorial position, hopefully with the city. I already have an application on file with Metro transportation and, as a matter of fact, I need to follow up on that and see where it’s at as far as the hiring process. I’m also open to anything within property management as far as a desk clerk. 

What has job searching looked like virtually?

James: My Employment Specialist, Erik, is awesome. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to see each other in person because of this pandemic, but I email him or text message him or make a phone call, and he’s always available. If he doesn’t pick up at the time that I call him, he immediately gets back to me. He’s always offering me services, he’s always offering me opportunities. It’s been a good Employment Specialist and client relationship.

Chrysalis: What do you like to do when you’re not working?

James: My favorite thing to do is take a nap. As we get older, sleep becomes fleeting, and when you can sleep, it’s good. I also really like to work out, I’m very physically active. Right now I’m doing calisthenics, a lot of bar work. I do that every other day, it helps me stay in shape because of my age, and it helps me a lot on the job.

I enjoy binge-watching streaming movies, and I’m into comics. I’m a kid at heart. I actually learned a lot while reading comics when I was a kid – I would come across words that I had never heard, and it would make me look it up to find out what the word was. Reading comic books definitely shaped me.

On top of that, I’m also very spiritual, so I spend a lot of time in prayer and meditation. I spend a lot of time studying my bible.

Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote that keeps you motivated?

James: Yes. “Know your assignment. Assess the assignment. Execute the assignment to put it into effect towards completion.” When I’m sweeping up streets, I have a basic route that I do. Each street carries its own mini assignment. I assess it and figure out the best way to do it.

Sometimes factors change, like sometimes you have protests, riots, you know, civil unrest going on. But you still concentrate on the basics of your route. You have to change, and you have to be flexible. You have to have a positive attitude because you’re dealing with the public. 

Chrysalis: What advice would you give to someone new to Works or Chrysalis?

James: Give it a chance. Attitude is everything. If you approach Chrysalis with a positive attitude, Chrysalis can work out for you. You have to come in with a willingness to work and a willingness to follow directions. Just remain open-minded – Chrysalis does the rest.

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

James: Whatever it is that you’re pursuing, pursue it wholeheartedly and never give up. 

I love my route, and I love working for the Downtown Center BID. I’ve worked for all the teams at one time or another, and on a scale from one to ten, the Downtown Center BID is actually past a ten for me. Once I got settled at the Downtown Center BID, I knew that’s where I belonged. 

Chrysalis: Thank you for your time, James!

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

Thanks to partnerships with the City of Los Angeles and organizations like the National Health Foundation, Project Roomkey has also created vital employment opportunities for over 120 Chrysalis clients, who are navigating unstable housing and barriers to the workforce, to deliver support services at numerous of these locations across LA County.

Read on to meet Dwona, Jon, Jonas, and Mia – four clients who are on their individual pathways to self-sufficiency thanks to their jobs through Project Roomkey and our employment social enterprise.

Transitional jobs like those at Project Roomkey sites are made possible through programs like LA:RISE, a multi-agency collaboration led by the City and County of LA. Chrysalis is proud to have been a founding partner in LA:RISE. However, funding for LA:RISE is currently at risk – act now by supporting this work and helping us advocate for funding to continue.

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The post Los Angeles Times News Alert: Project Roomkey Employs Chrysalis Clients first appeared on Chrysalis.

We recently sat down for a virtual Q&A with Mureithi, a Chrysalis client who worked a transitional job as a guest service attendant for Project Roomkey, a program providing shelter and services for Angelenos experiencing homelessness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Mureithi: I had heard about Chrysalis when I was transitioning between jobs in the past. But the real time that led me here was when I was homeless and on the streets. I was staying in a transitional shelter and they recommended it. 

I started [the program] as a way to stay busy and Chrysalis gave me the opportunity to do something positive and take advantage of resources. It was also an opportunity to get back on the horse. I’ve done a million interviews in my life, but in this situation, it was fairly new because I was coming from the perspective of being on the streets and being in a shelter. I feel like many solutions stem from work… You get a lot of opportunities. I saw there were opportunities [at Chrysalis] and, if anything, it was a way to get back in the door and feel like I’m doing something to improve my situation. And so far, it’s one of the better decisions I’ve made and it’s been working out.

Chrysalis: How did it feel to work a transitional job? 

Mureithi: It felt great to be part of the Works program. At the onset of COVID-19, I was working for a company stocking groceries. And right around the time those opportunities were dwindling, I got the call from Works. I had just found new housing too, so the timing couldn’t have been better. Project Roomkey was the first assignment I ever had.

It was a very new and exciting experience. We really got to be an integral part of the whole program – getting it launched and seeing it start from nothing. We thought we would be wiping down surfaces and keeping establishments clean. There were no guests there when we started. We were getting the place ready, checking the rooms, and just waiting for the first intakes. We were so excited for the residents to come. It was easy to find empathy in this situation, because many of us were struggling with our housing issues too. 

Chrysalis: What has it been like to be working during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Mureithi: COVID-19, at the very beginning, was very discouraging. I got a couple of jobs that ended up getting cancelled. It was a very scary time, and there was a lot of uncertainty. I think COVID has changed the way we live and our belief systems about what safety really is. I had to quickly adapt to video conferencing apps and learn how to be interviewed while wearing a mask. Not being able to see others’ facial expressions or use mine was challenging but made me focus more on delivering solid and concise responses. It also showed me that, even with the dwindling opportunities, I could navigate that thanks to my Employment Specialist and tools I got from Chrysalis. I think I’ve done very well. I got the grocery-stocking job, Project Roomkey, and a new job working for the Census [Bureau]! I’ll be reaching out to people who haven’t responded to the census surveys yet. I’m looking forward to interacting with people.

Chrysalis: What kind of job are you looking for? 

Mureithi: I would like to get back into marketing. When I was an online marketing specialist, I worked with merchants to improve their marketing programs, their visibility on the web, and their sales process. It’s very rewarding because you get to see your efforts help these clients. 

Chrysalis: What are you currently working on? What’s next for you?

Mureithi: Getting my own housing is the main thing. There’s nothing more comforting than knowing you have a stable home, that you have a place to go to that’s yours. So, that’s one of my financial goals and there’s some other things I’d like to do professionally, like get my real estate broker’s license.

Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee? What would your coworkers say is your best quality?

Mureithi: One of the things that makes me a great employee is accountability and consistency. With all the jobs I’ve had, I’ve put a lot of passion and enthusiasm into the workplace. Perhaps I’m a little overzealous sometimes, but I go in with the best possible intentions. I’m going to try to raise the bar and do my best.

Chrysalis: What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Mureithi: I have a lot of hobbies, everything from reading to woodworking and refurbishing furniture… I also read a lot of business-related magazines, I like to exercise, and I like photography.

Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote or something you say to yourself that keeps you motivated?

Mureithi: “It’s darkest before dawn.” Things can seem very chaotic or treacherous, almost hopeless, but things usually right themselves as long as you do the next right thing and put the effort in. Another one is, “Actions speak louder than words.” And that’s something you learn at Chrysalis. You have to put in the work, you have to do the leg work before the positive results will take place.

Chrysalis: What advice would you give to new clients?

Mureithi: Work with your Employment Specialist and try to get information from other clients. It can be great to bounce things off another person, and it can be a rewarding experience. Get through the whole process, trust the process, and do the work.

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

Chrysalis: What is the origin of Treeman?

Lionel: I always wanted to be outside in nature, loving animals and insects… [My sister and I] were both born in Puerto Rico, and that really gave me a good perspective on beauty and nature because it’s a very tropical place. Then, I grew up in Brooklyn where my father performed music. My mother, because of her mother, was very good at sewing. So, I had entertainment and art in my heart and soul. 

My first official work with entertainment was at Disney’s Port Orleans in Orlando. I was a bellman. Then, when they were building Disney’s Animal Kingdom and everybody was saying, “You should go there! You like performing!” I auditioned for the Festival of the Lion King, and I was in the show for three years. And at that time, I was creating my own characters. Treeman was about the fifth or sixth character.

When I created Treeman, I wanted people to look at what he stands for. He’s a reflection of nature, ‘just like you.’ So, a reflection of nature is what we all are. I have the mirror reflectors so when people look in Treeman’s eyes, the windows of his soul, they see themselves. 

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

Lionel: I was experiencing homelessness and this particular time, I decided to stay on the [Venice Beach] Boardwalk. Someone from LAHSA came by one day and I said, “I’m ready. I’m ready to do something.” It was very interesting because that was something different than I’d been doing for a long time. It was always very shaky ground and I always wound up back out again. All the signs were saying, “This is it and this is the time.” 

[LAHSA and St. Joseph’s Center] encouraged me to go to Chrysalis. I knew that it was going to help me. I understood immediately what the program’s function was: to get us back to work and into a situation where we can get into housing, and even to build up our self-confidence.

There are people who really care. There’s a lot of flexibility with mistakes or things that are maybe expected to happen from people who come from unbalanced circumstances. What I admire is, I’ve seen people that came through Chrysalis and something happened where they weren’t there…but I’ve seen them come back. It shows that we really understand the nature of this beast at Chrysalis. 

Chrysalis: How has this transitional job helped you learn more about your employment goals?

Lionel: I’m over 60 years old and the requirements and how the job search goes now, compared to 20 years ago, is totally different. [My transitional job] helped me out in so many ways. It gave me the resources, time, and encouragement so that I could reach realistic career goals. 

Chrysalis: What makes you a great employee? What would your coworkers say is your best quality?

Lionel: I love people and I love working. For me, work is exercise. If you see me working I’m usually whistling. I think that being happy enough at what you’re doing that you’re going to do it well should be an integral part of anyone’s employment.

Chrysalis: What kind of outside job are you looking for? What’s next for Lionel?

Lionel: I’m looking for something service-oriented, in hospitality or maintenance, or to be a care-worker. Right now, I’m doing work for Project Ropa and the reason that makes me happy is it’s something that’s helping people get a new start. It’s a service job, where I’m working with people and I’m moving around, which I like. 

Chrysalis: What is Treeman currently working on? 

Lionel: We’re completing our documentary, A DocumenTree, in July, and that’s eight years in the making. I told Michael Angelo, the director, in the beginning, that I didn’t really want the documentary to be about me because me is the planet and me is all the people… And so that’s what we did; made it about me and all of the groups of people and organizations that are doing like things. I’m also making it a major goal to get Treeman back out and encouraging people, talking to them about the clean up on the streets in Venice, and giving Beleaflets out and letting people know how to get to certain [service providers].

Chrysalis: Do you have an inspirational quote or something you say to yourself that keeps you motivated?

Lionel: I know I have a feeling that’s inside of me and keeps me going: in the midst of all of the pain and sorrow, there are diamonds all around and beautiful things that can make us happy. I know the stress is there, but at the same time, I see the light at the end of the tunnel — and it’s not a train, so that’s good!

Chrysalis: What advice would you give to someone new to Works? 

Lionel: I’d say, no matter what happens, don’t give up. You should be really proud of yourself that you’ve made it to this point. It took a lot. So don’t give up, because there’s a lot of things being offered that are different from what you’ve experienced before. If you fall down, get back up again. Treeman would say, “Get bark up again.”

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