A spirit of love fills Antonio and Suzette’s home. On a weekend afternoon, you might find Suzette reading on the porch with Antonio close by, caring for the family’s beloved dogs. Arrive at another time, and the place may be brimming with friends and family, warm laughter and voices filling the air. It is a home in every sense of the word – something that the couple always wanted.
Suzette found Chrysalis’ Santa Monica center while staying at a recovery program. She credits Chrysalis with helping her uncover her confidence to prepare to return to work and stay on track. She has lent her voice in support of our organization at community events including a speaking opportunity at the Skirball Museum as a part of their 2015 A Path Appears exhibit where Chrysalis was featured. Antonio’s path to Chrysalis also began when he was staying in transitional housing and participating in a recovery program. As he looked from his window at the street below, he saw someone jump out of a truck to load bags into the backend. That was it – he decided that was a job that could get him into the workforce. It did, and he would go on to be promoted by Chrysalis from a sweeper to driver to supervisor in the Works program and eventually move over to Roads supervisor where he was promoted to an Operations Supervisor. While working for Roads, Antonio spent a month and a half going to truck driving school so he could obtain his Class A Driver License – something that allowed him to land a job with Caltrans as an Operator II.
The couple met and were married years before finding their personal paths to Chrysalis. They have supported each other through everything, even when their journeys kept them apart during times of incarceration, transitional housing, or treatment facilities. Their story is one that inspires us, which is one reason it was fitting to honor the couple with the 2019 John Dillon Award at the 18th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball.
Today, they are together in their Inglewood home, surrounded by photos of their kids, extended family, and Chrysalis staff that cover the walls.