Yoshinoya Helps Chrysalis Jobseekers Stay Nourished on Their Path to Employment

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 17, 2026)— Chrysalis is proud to announce a partnership with Yoshinoya, whose generous donation of meal gift cards will help ensure that individuals seeking employment have access to nutritious food while working toward their career goals. 

Through this partnership, Yoshinoya has provided gift cards redeemable for a regular bowl — beef or grilled chicken on rice with veggies — at participating locations, offering immediate support to Chrysalis jobseekers as they navigate the challenges of securing employment. 

For many individuals experiencing economic hardship, food insecurity can create an additional barrier to finding and maintaining work. Access to a meal can make a meaningful difference for jobseekers attending interviews, participating in employment programs, and taking important steps toward self-sufficiency.

“At Chrysalis, we know that meeting basic needs is critical to helping individuals succeed in their job search. We are grateful to Yoshinoya for their generosity and commitment to our jobseekers. This partnership helps ensure that individuals can focus on building their futures without having to worry about where their next meal will come from.”
— Mark Loranger, President and CEO of Chrysalis

Yoshinoya’s support reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local communities and helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. The gift cards will be distributed to Chrysalis clients throughout Los Angeles county as part of the organization’s comprehensive employment services.

“Yoshinoya has been part of the Los Angeles community for decades, and we believe that means showing up for our neighbors when it matters most. As a brand with deep roots in LA, we feel a real responsibility to help address food insecurity — even if it’s one meal at a time. We’re honored to walk alongside Chrysalis in this work.”
— Nannette Richardson, VP Marketing, Yoshinoya

Chrysalis serves thousands of individuals annually through job-readiness programs, one-on-one support, and transitional employment opportunities. By addressing immediate needs such as food access, partnerships like this one help create a stronger foundation for long-term success.

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About Chrysalis 

Chrysalis helps people find meaningful work and build futures they can be proud of, regardless of their past or present. The nonprofit organization helps people facing the highest obstacles to employment, including incarceration and homelessness. Through personalized job-readiness services, one-on-one support, and transitional jobs programs, Chrysalis works with nearly 8,000 Southern Californians each year to find and retain employment, reconnect with their communities, and build brighter futures. For more information about Chrysalis, visit www.ChangeLives.org.

About Yoshinoya America

At Yoshinoya, Japanese-inspired cooking is the essence of our menu and sharing that delicious experience with each of our guests is core to our mission to Fuel the Soul. Dating back to 1899 with the opening of its first restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, Yoshinoya is among the oldest quick-service restaurant chains in operation. Throughout its century of experience, Yoshinoya continues to grow aggressively while operating or franchising more than 2,000 restaurants in Japan, Mainland China, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines and with 100 locations in California. Guests can customize their bowl from a variety of insanely craveable menu options, including our signature Gyudon Beef Bowl® that started it all. For more information, visit the company’s website.

 

Media Contact:

Mallory Loring  Chrysalis  Director of Communications  (310) 401-9391  Mallory.Loring@ChangeLives.org

Nannette Richardson Yoshinoya America, Inc.  Vice President of Marketing  Nannette.Richardson@yoshinoyaamerica.com

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As cited in the study, individuals exiting prison experience homelessness at 13 times the rate of the general population, and more than 27 percent of formerly incarcerated people are unemployed—nearly five times the national rate.*

The Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department’s (JCOD) Breaking Barriers program, operated by Brilliant Corners in partnership with Chrysalis, was designed to address the dual challenges of homelessness and reentry by combining rental assistance, case management, and employment services. The evaluation confirms that this integrated model is working. But it also points to a critical truth: employment is what allows stability to last.

The evaluation highlights strong housing outcomes, with more than 80 percent of participants remaining housed after one year. In a region like Los Angeles—where high rents and limited supply make housing difficult to secure—this level of stability is significant.

At the same time, the report underscores persistent structural barriers: stagnant wages, limited employer willingness to hire individuals with criminal records, and legal restrictions that narrow job opportunities. These challenges make one thing clear:

• Without reliable income, housing stability is fragile.
• Even with subsidies, participants must eventually navigate rent, utilities, and daily expenses on their own. Long-term success depends not just on accessing housing—but on being able to afford and sustain it.

The Data Points to Deep Support and Employment as Routes for Success

A closer look at the evaluation reveals that the strongest outcomes are tied not just to housing placement, but to what happens after. Although the report notes that initial outcomes were mixed, 75 percent of program participants were earning above minimum wage at graduation. We expect wage rates for participants to continue to grow over time.

The report also demonstrates how outcomes improve over longer periods. Longer housing retention was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of employment at program exit among participants housed with a subsidy during the program: the probability of employment rose from 45 percent at six months housed to 61 percent at 18 months housed. Other findings included:

• Participants placed in employment or education far exceeded program goals, demonstrating both demand for and effectiveness of workforce services
• Most employed participants earned above minimum wage, signaling progress toward livable income
• Longer program engagement was associated with improved outcomes across the board, including housing retention and reduced likelihood of incarceration

Why Employment Services Matter

As a Breaking Barriers partner, Chrysalis provides job readiness training, career planning, and transitional employment opportunities designed specifically for individuals facing barriers to work.

More than 10 years ago, when Chrysalis joined the pilot for this program, we knew this partnership would model how organizations can bring their core expertise together and, as a result, ensure better outcomes for the people utilizing services. The RAND evaluation highlights that strong coordination between housing and employment providers is central to the program’s success.

This isn’t incidental. It reflects a deeper reality:

• Housing creates the conditions for stability.
• Employment creates the conditions for independence.

Participants don’t just need a place to live; they need a pathway to earn, grow, and sustain that stability over time. If we address only one side of this equation, we risk falling short of long-term impact.

Looking Beyond: Recommendations from the Beyond Incarceration report

The RAND evaluation also offers important guidance for our community.  While program design matters, broader economic conditions—particularly wages and housing affordability—continue to shape outcomes.

To build on the success of programs like Breaking Barriers, investment strategies should:

• Integrate employment services as a core component of housing interventions
• Support workforce pathways that lead to living-wage jobs
• Address systemic barriers that limit access to employment for justice-impacted individuals

Breaking Barriers demonstrates what’s possible when housing and employment services work together and at equal levels of importance. The RAND evaluation confirms that this integrated approach can reduce recidivism, improve housing stability, and create pathways to independence.

We are incredibly proud of our program participants and our work with JCOD and Brilliant Corners, with support from the California Board of State and Community Corrections. Chrysalis is committed to continuing to provide employment-focused services as part of the Breaking Barriers program. We are grateful for the opportunity to have something we believe in so deeply evaluated—and proven to work.

Find the full Beyond Incarceration report by RAND here.

* Lucius Couloute, Nowhere to Go: Homelessness Among Formerly Incarcerated People, Prison Policy Initiative, August 2018; Lucius Couloute and Daniel Kopf, Out of Prison & Out of Work: Unemployment Among Formerly Incarcerated People, Prison Policy Initiative, July 2018.

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At the Automobile Club of Southern California, doing the right thing isn’t just a slogan—it’s part of the culture. Whether they’re helping a member on the side of the road or looking for new ways to uplift local communities, their commitment to service runs deep. So when staff member Edward Mendoza began exploring how the organization could make an even greater impact, Chrysalis quickly stood out as a natural fit.

Edward shared that the mission of Chrysalis felt especially relevant in today’s climate. “There’s a real crisis we’re experiencing—not only in California, but across the country,” he said, pointing to the rise in homelessness and the growing barriers many face when trying to enter the workforce. “Chrysalis is doing the heavy lifting to meet that need.”

Inspired by our mission and impact, Edward brought Chrysalis to the attention of Escalera West, AAA’s Hispanic/Latino Business Resource Group (BRG). The group soon rallied behind the cause, ultimately making a generous contribution to support Chrysalis’ efforts to help individuals navigate barriers to employment and reach economic stability.

Escalera West is one of several Business Resource Groups at AAA, rooted in the belief that real change starts from within—and radiates outward. Through grassroots efforts, Escalera West is committed to lifting up underserved communities across Southern California. Their decision to support Chrysalis reflects that mission in action. “When our employees see us showing up for the community in this way,” Edward said, “it deepens the connection to our values and reminds us why this work matters.”

Chrysalis staff and AAA representatives gathered recently to commemorate the start of this new relationship with a check presentation. A group photo captured the energy in the room — but it was the shared vision that truly stood out.

“Chrysalis is a natural fit for our mission,” said Matt Anzueto, Chair of Escalera West. “We’re proud to support an organization whose values mirror our own—empowering individuals, removing barriers, and showing up for underserved communities. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing how this partnership can grow.”

From grassroots advocacy to relationship-building, Escalera West is forging a path that reflects AAA’s long-standing commitment to service—not just for its members, but for the broader community.

We’re deeply grateful for this generous gift—and even more grateful for the spirit behind it. Thank you, Automobile Club of Southern California!

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Disneyland Resort has been a close Chrysalis partner for years—not only as a supporter through gifts like this but also as an incredible hiring partner. Their commitment to creating job opportunities for our clients is a huge part of what makes our work possible. With their support, we’re able to provide essentials like one-on-one individualized employment services, interview attire, and paid work experience. All of these resources are so important in helping our clients build confidence and achieve their goals.

Mark Loranger, our CEO, shared his excitement for this ongoing partnership: “Corporate partners like Disneyland Resort make a powerful impact by investing in our clients’ futures and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive. We’re so grateful for their commitment to our mission and the lives we’re able to change together. Their support allows us to keep growing our programs for Anaheim and Orange County residents who are ready for a fresh start in the workforce.”

This support from Disneyland Resort couldn’t have come at a better time. As the demand for job-readiness programs grows across southern California, their contribution means we can help even more people overcome barriers to employment. Together, we’re building a more inclusive workforce that reflects the strength and diversity of our community.

Thank you, Disneyland Resort, for being a steadfast partner and believing in our clients. With your support, we’re creating real opportunities for people, helping them move forward, support their families, and make a lasting impact in their communities.

Hiring? Partner with Chrysalis to access motivated, talented, and job-ready candidates who are eager to contribute to your business’s success. Whether you need temporary, temp-to-hire, or direct hire employees, we provide personalized support to match you with the right candidates. Join us in creating opportunities for individuals navigating barriers to employment.

Become a Hiring Partner

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In the recent few years Hines team members have provided 159 hours of one-on-one services to Chrysalis clients, including resume preparation and practice interviews. Employees have also worked with clients at quarterly resource and job fairs at our Downtown Los Angeles center and have helped sort clothing donations at our Orange County center. To date the company’s pro bono, volunteer, and financial support amounts to more than $30,000.

Chrysalis values the Hines employees who regularly volunteer in our centers and we love the extra energy they bring to special projects. From painting, replacing lighting fixtures, to repairing a very old HVAC system, the Hines team have shown their dedication to investing in their community.

Recently one of these special projects brought together 24 Hines employees for a day of service honoring their founder Gerald D. Hines. The group packed 500 sack lunches and 500 hygiene kits. They also sorted clothing and accessory donations, organized our resource room, and cleaned important storage areas in the Downtown Los Angeles center.

Way to go Hines! Thank you for your partnership and service.

Our special thanks go to Hines employees for their ongoing work and support of Chrysalis. Your impact is making a difference at Chrysalis and we can’t thank you enough!

Invest in your community and support Chrysalis programs. 

CONTACT Kristen Laskaris, Director of Institutional Giving

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