Garrick’s workday kicks off at 6:30 in the morning with the arrival of a photograph. Pictured is a map indicating where he and his team will be providing outreach services for the day to some of L.A. County’s most vulnerable populations. As a member of a Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement (HOPE) Team, Garrick and a group of outreach workers support the complex and diverse needs of unsheltered homeless residents across Los Angeles.
While he admits the work can be tough, Garrick will be the first to tell you that no other job has left him feeling more rewarded at the end of the day – whether it’s providing someone with a bottle of water, referring them to Chrysalis’ program, or connecting an expecting mother to a maternity clinic. “Going out there and trying to do a good thing that is so important – it’s wonderful.”
Yet finding a job about which he could be truly passionate didn’t happen overnight. Garrick came to Chrysalis healthy and motivated to find work but with gaps in his work history due to years of navigating life debilitated by mental illness and the medication he took to manage it. He also brought with him a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, a diverse work history – including web development, substitute teaching, and construction, just to name a few – and the resolve to find meaningful, steady employment.
With support from a volunteer, Garrick fleshed out his resume and participated in practice interviews. He also worked closely with his Employment Specialist to develop an individualized service plan that would help him achieve his professional goals. He shared, “I’m super grateful for the resources at Chrysalis, even the ones I didn’t need.”
The one-on-one support he received from his Employment Specialist sticks with him the most. “[She] knew what was going on with me – that’s what really impressed me.” When the emotional and mental tax of going through divorce threatened to derail Garrick’s journey to stability, his case manager recommended that he take advantage of Chrysalis’ on-site counseling services. “It made a huge difference and changed the way I look at everything,” he reflected.
Before he would find his dream job, Garrick was offered a temporary dishwashing position through Chrysalis’ Staffing business at a Santa Monica hotel – and he accepted the opportunity with gusto. He did not hold the position for long, but his Employment Specialist will be the first to speak to his accountable and resilient nature. Right away, Garrick returned to Chrysalis prepared to do whatever it took to learn from the experience and re-secure employment.
Soon thereafter, Garrick was hired full-time by LAHSA to work on The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count – an opportunity that would lead to Garrick’s current role on a HOPE Team as a Homeless Engagement Team (HET) Member. At last year’s holiday party, the Santa Monica center filled with the clanging of the Success Bell. Surrounded by clients, staff, and volunteers, Garrick celebrated this achievement.
“[This job] gives extra meaning to the suffering I experienced,” Garrick explained. He went on to share, “Another thing that leaves me feeling hopeful is that jobs can come and go, and this one might. But I feel like I never need to be out of work; the day I lose this job, I could be working the next day or week because I know that Chrysalis is there. It feels like this incredible safety net.”
To this day, the Success Bell continues to ring because individuals like Garrick are empowered to change their lives through employment. And some of those folks most certainly found us because of the impact of Garrick’s job.