From his vantage point, Alexander soaks up the morning sunlight as it casts light over the mountains, etched by busy freeways that carve the landscape along the Grapevine. Some mornings, fog rolls in, and other days, fresh snowfall blankets the roads, waiting for his Caltrans team to clear the way. He breathes it all […]
After years of experiencing homelessness and limited support, Elyse Moya has built a life filled with stability, empowerment, and community. Today, she celebrates sobriety, steady employment, and being a devoted mother, embracing each day with purpose and hope for the future. “Now I feel totally empowered when I come in. I get to see all […]
When Oscar first came to Chrysalis more than five years ago, he was looking for a fresh start. He spent three years as a client, building skills, confidence, and discipline. With guidance and support, he transitioned into staff roles, and for the past two and a half years, he has served as a Works Supervisor, […]
When Victor left Mexico for the United States twenty years ago, he carried with him a deep hope and the determination to build a better future—not just for himself, but for his mother. For 17 years, he worked steadily at an antique car parts factory, proud of the life he had built. In 2019, everything […]
Over the years, through career shifts and moments of uncertainty, Chrysalis has been a steady presence for Noëlle—helping her navigate the ever-changing landscape of work and opportunity. At 76, Noëlle has lived a life rich with adventure. Born in a French colony in Africa, she began her career as a medical assistant at a […]
Amanda Muñoz first learned about Chrysalis while working as a student researcher at the UCLA Labor Center. After transcribing an interview with a Chrysalis staff member, she was inspired by the impact of social enterprise and workforce development. That moment stayed with her and eventually led her to join the Chrysalis team. Amanda became part […]
Larry casts his fishing line and waits patiently for the first bite of the day. There’s no rush. No tension. No weight of the past pressing down on him. For the first time in decades, he is free—free from addiction, free from a cycle of incarceration, and free to savor a moment like this […]
When you walk through the doors of Chrysalis’ Downtown Los Angeles center, you’ll find Jazelle working behind the scenes to help power our mission forward. As an Operations Coordinator for Chrysalis Works, she supports our social enterprise business lines while bringing heart, lived experience, and over 20 years of professional expertise to her role. Jazelle’s […]
“Two years ago, I had no idea I was going to be where I am now,” Dylan says. When Dylan first came to Chrysalis, he wasn’t thinking about mentoring others or building new programs. He had just been released from prison after nearly seven years and was focused on one thing—getting back on his feet. […]
Most days, Tom is up before the sun. As he expertly maneuvers a massive sanitation truck down Santa Monica’s narrow streets, he’s occasionally greeted by impatient honks or stares from residents in a hurry to get on with their morning. With a respectful nod, he remains focused on providing what is often an overlooked essential […]
When you step into Chrysalis’ Downtown Los Angeles center, it’s hard to miss Shemel’s warm and welcoming presence. As a client services operations coordinator, he is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard and valued. “What excites me about working at Chrysalis is that I get the opportunity every day […]
At the client’s request, this story has been shared anonymously. A pseudonym and stock images have been used to protect their privacy. The conveyor belt never stopped. Hour after hour, the peanut butter cookies kept rolling down the line, demanding one simple task: place the top wafer onto each one. Hundreds of thousands of cookies, […]
We’re excited to share some amazing news: Disneyland Resort has granted us $100,000 to support our programs for Anaheim and Orange County residents facing barriers to employment. This generous contribution is an important boost to our efforts, helping people right here in the community get the job-readiness training, work experience, and resources they need to […]
From an early age, Kyra demonstrated that she had the drive to work and the gift of caring for others. Over the course of her adult years, she started and ran businesses spanning early childhood education and the hair industry to providing comfort and care to patients as an in-home health aid. She owned her […]
Irma slaps the table as she sets down an imaginary box of cake mix, emphasizing the baker’s role in crafting a delicious dessert. She uses this as an analogy for a successful job search, explaining, “Chrysalis gives you the ingredients, but you have to do the work.” At nearly 67 years old, Irma is no […]
After the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan in August of 2021, Ahmad’s decades-long career in development and education—where he worked as a researcher and field coordinator with international organizations like the United States Institute of Peace and World Bank—was perceived as a threat by the Taliban. Ahmad faced a critical decision: stay […]
“When I first started working for Chrysalis as a client, I knew right away that this was for me. I looked around the van and thought, ‘This is where I belong.’” In many ways, a Chrysalis Roads van embodies the essence of a chrysalis. It serves as a space for growth, change, and transformation for […]
Kenya has a heart for serving people. After years of working in education, providing in-home care, and holding multiple customer service roles, she was laid off from her job during the 2020 pandemic. While supporting her partner’s business, she learned about Chrysalis. Dedicated to embark on a new journey of transformation, she joined our program […]
As a dedicated firefighter with Cal Fire, Lloyd is prepared for any emergency. He begins his day at 4:30 a.m. with a devotional, ensuring that his mind is in the right place to show up for work and his loved ones. Working three-day shifts of 24 hours each, his commitment to our community’s safety and […]
Richard wakes up each morning and greets the day by getting on his knees and saying a prayer of gratitude. After spending the better part of his life struggling with substance use and cycling in and out of the justice system, he celebrates being free, sober, steadily employed, and embracing all that life has to […]
In the early morning hours, Alan gets ready for work and tends to his garden – accompanied by the gentle clucking of his family’s two hens. Life under an open sky alongside his loved ones and coworkers looks vastly different than it did 28 years ago, when he was sentenced to nearly three decades in […]
Faced with exorbitant business taxes, increasing violence in their community, and threats to their safety, Rene, his wife, and their three-year-old son applied for asylum in the U.S. in 2016. Despite years of working as a doctor in El Salvador, Rene knew that the best next step was to leave everything behind and start over […]
Before coming to Chrysalis, Sue had dedicated years to helping marginalized communities. Previously, she was a volunteer for Women Helping Women, an organization that provided her an avenue to teach individuals computer technology, – from creating resumes to navigating Microsoft programs. After COVID-19 disrupted and closed that opportunity for her, Sue discovered a renewal of […]
It was a dark night as Patrik biked through Venice Beach. When the officer flagged him down, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was initially detained for not having lights on his bike, he was grateful for the opportunity to ask for help. After six years of homelessness and substance use, Patrik was […]
Nicole was first drawn to Chrysalis’ model of providing individuals a pathway to employment. Witnessing it first-hand and in action, she saw what stable work could do for people taking their next steps in life. After dedicating 16 years of service to Los Angeles-based nonprofits that specialize in workforce development and education, Nicole joined Chrysalis […]
As a long-time advocate for causes that combat homelessness, Chrysalis has been in Kristin’s purview for over a decade. She had been volunteering for organizations adjacent to Chrysalis for a while, distributing clothes and hygiene kits to those experiencing homelessness. Following the peak of the pandemic, Kristin felt compelled to make an even greater change […]
Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of our Orange County center was an amazing moment and we were so proud to share this milestone with our community, peers, and supporters. The birthday week kicked off with an Open House at the center with City of Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava and many honored guests, […]
Bright and early, Symphony starts her workday stationed behind the front desk at the Chrysalis Downtown Los Angeles center. When the doors open at 8 a.m., Symphony and her fellow Client Services colleagues spring into action, warmly welcoming clients with a cup of coffee and guiding them toward essential job-readiness resources and support – such […]
In March 2018, Jessica stepped into the foyer of the Santa Monica Public Library, a place she had been a dozen times as a volunteer literacy tutor. However, this time, she noticed a flyer on the wall adorned with a butterfly logo promoting a networking event. Having recently moved back from living in San Diego, […]
For three decades, Gilbert viewed the world through a small window. From his cell, he could see a desert field, a fence, and a car patrolling the surrounding area. He also envisioned what life would be like while not incarcerated… a colorful life that involved time with loved ones and embracing meaningful employment. He […]