For three decades, the mission of Chrysalis has been to create a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. While our focus is on jobs, we have long recognized the essential need to partner with providers of affordable housing in order to achieve the best long-term outcomes for our clients. We are proud to have been among those leading the effort during the past several years to formalize the employment-housing partnership to end homelessness.
Chrysalis is now part of two different rapid re-housing initiatives, Breaking Barriers and the Housing and Jobs Collaborative (HJC), in an effort to end the vicious cycle of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration by helping men and women gain access to housing and employment. Rapid re-housing is an intervention that provides a time-limited voucher to allow a person to access housing as quickly as possible. The goal is to stabilize the individual in housing and help them secure a steady income, so that they are able to pay their rent as the housing voucher expires.
Breaking Barriers was launched in July 2015 with partners Brilliant Corners, the Los Angeles County Departments of Health Services (DHS) and Probation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and the Corporation for Supportive Housing. With the support of DHS, HJC began earlier this year, partnering Chrysalis with Lamp Community/OPCC and L.A. Family Housing. Through these two programs, we have deployed housing case managers and Employment Specialists across Los Angeles County to help individuals gain access to stable housing while preparing for and finding work.
One such individual is Antoine, who last year was on probation with nowhere to live. When he arrived at Chrysalis, he spoke with his Employment Specialist about the laundry list of short-term goals he needed to address in order to reach his ultimate dream – owning a barbershop. Through the Breaking Barriers program, we helped Antoine find his own home while simultaneously focusing on employment opportunities.
I saw Antoine again this week when he stopped by the Downtown center to fill out his application for the final step to get his barber license! He is one step further on the pathway to self-sufficiency and one step closer to his dreams, which is what Chrysalis is all about. But this accomplishment isn’t just for Antoine; it also means so much to his three kids, who have been able to stay with their dad at his new home. It reminds me that our emphasis on a job when paired with housing has a tremendous impact on families, the community, and society.
With over 43,000 individuals experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County and many more unstably housed, we are facing an urgent situation. Integrating employment and housing strategies is essential if we truly wish to end homelessness in Los Angeles, and Chrysalis is proud to be working with wonderful partners to make this happen for Antoine and so many others.
Thank you! Your support allows us to be part of these important solutions.
Sincerely,
Mark Loranger
President & Chief Executive Officer