Michael admits that he veered off track in life a few times growing up. “I had my share of trying to be involved with gangs and drugs, but over time, I realized that wasn’t the life for me.” During one particular detour – his last sentence of three-and-a-half years in prison – Michael received word of his mother’s passing. “I couldn’t attend the funeral,” he reflects. “You never know what can happen while you’re in there.” Upon his release, he was more motivated than ever to take the wheel when it came to his future.
Then, Michael attended a presentation about Chrysalis at his parole office. It wasn’t the first time he had heard of the organization. “Chrysalis’ name is out there,” he shares. “I was fresh out of prison and thought this might be something that could be really beneficial to me.”
In his first memory of Chrysalis, Michael recalls being inspired by the photos of clients with the Success Bell that decorated the center’s walls, “That’s not something you can fabricate – that just gave me a lot of hope.” After attending orientation, Michael dove into Chrysalis’ job readiness classes with enthusiasm. He also attended Convictions & the Job Search, a supplemental class that prepares clients with a background to talk about their pasts honestly with potential employers while highlighting experience and skills they may have developed while serving time.
Right away, Michael got to work on a personalized service plan with support from his Employment Specialist. In addition to setting goals for his job search, Michael was connected to housing resources, received transportation assistance, and was referred to participate in Chrysalis’ transitional jobs program: Chrysalis Roads.
Launched in November 2016, Roads is one of three social enterprises run by Chrysalis, each of which provides time-limited employment to individuals facing significant barriers to getting a job. Specifically designed to employ reentry citizens on active parole or probation to work on freeway maintenance crews across Los Angeles and Orange Counties, the program saw significant success in 2018 – with six out of every ten participants going on to find permanent work.
As a Roads crew member, it wasn’t uncommon for Michael to hear a shout of praise from his supervisor above the sound of morning commuters zooming past as he and his fellow crew members cleared brush and debris from the side of the busy freeway. He reflects fondly on the solidarity and positivity of the work environment. Differences in race or gang affiliation that may have divided the men and women at another time in their life fell by the wayside as they tackled the day’s work together.
Michael was promoted to Roads Supervisor before going on to secure a full-time job with Caltrans. Today, he is growing at work, stably housed, and looks forward to returning to college. “Being crew member and supervisor for Chrysalis set me up to have this opportunity – that’s why I am forever grateful for Chrysalis.”
With the speed bumps of his past in the rearview mirror, Michael can finally look forward to the road ahead – and it all started with a job.
Chrysalis Roads was originally made possible through a contract with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Reentry and Caltrans. Today, we are thankful to have a crew based in Orange County – home to our fourth and newest center – thanks to a contract with the Butte County Office of Education and Caltrans. In 2018, more than 400 Chrysalis clients were employed by Roads – a 40 percent increase over the prior year.