When Nancy was preparing to retire after 40+ years in the healthcare industry, she knew she wanted to continue making a difference in people’s lives. She sought out consistent, meaningful volunteer opportunities and found Chrysalis. Over a year later, her experience has been more transformative than she imagined—for both herself and the individuals she works […]
For Celine Bundy-Kahn, giving back was always part of the plan. A proud native Angeleno and seasoned recruiter in the IT industry, Celine knew that once she retired, which she called her “Chapter 2,” she wanted to use her skills to make a meaningful impact. After stepping into Chrysalis’ Santa Monica center more than […]
At Chrysalis, our volunteers are essential to our mission of helping people navigate barriers to the workforce. Tony, a volunteer at our San Fernando Valley center, embodies the care, intention, and respect that make this work possible. A lifelong resident of the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks area, Tony’s story is deeply rooted in the community. After […]
For over a year, Deborah has been a dedicated volunteer at Chrysalis, offering her time, experience, and compassionate support to individuals navigating barriers to employment. As a ministry leader at Celebrate Recovery and a seasoned volunteer with more than two decades of experience, Deborah plays a pivotal role in empowering others, providing hope, and helping people overcome personal challenges. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Every Wednesday, Robin facilitates Chrysalis’ job-preparation class, helping our clients hone their practice interview skills and craft effective resumes. With 38 years of experience in education, including serving as a principal, Robin is uniquely qualified to help support individuals as they navigate barriers to employment. Beyond this crucial weekly role as a Chrysalis volunteer, Robin […]
In 2022, Karen made it her goal to find a way to bridge the gap between her fellow community members experiencing homelessness and the resources they needed to find stability. While searching online for organizations that offered support, she came across Chrysalis. Having previously volunteered at other organizations, Karen applied to become a volunteer and […]
For the past 15 years, Monte has dedicated his time to volunteering for nonprofits in Orange County. He was first attracted to Chrysalis because of his firm conviction that employment is the key to self-sufficiency. Monte has been an active volunteer in the Anaheim center for three years, always eager to make a positive impact […]
April is Financial Literacy Month! Chrysalis’ core commitment is to help people secure employment and get on a pathway to stability, security, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Woven into the fabric of our supportive services and resources are tools and trainings that enhance financial literacy. Financial literacy noun the ability to understand and […]
When David finishes his work as a Ph.D. consultant for chemical safety, his day isn’t over. In his full-time job as a hiring manager, part of his duties includes conducting evaluations of staff and gaining insight. As a Chrysalis volunteer, David brings that same level of expertise when facilitating job-readiness classes, helping with resume preparation […]
In 1980, Phil began a career with Farmers Insurance that would span nearly 40 years. As an executive with the company, Phil had years of leadership under his belt and an underlying passion for helping people. After retiring four years ago, he found himself wondering what he could do to help fulfill his passion in […]
Heart-stricken by the income and housing disparities that so many were experiencing across Southern California in the early 2000s, Brad began volunteering at Chrysalis. At the time, his career in the entertainment industry allowed him to connect with fellow Chrysalis champion Rebecca Gayheart Dane, who originally inspired him to get involved. In 2002, Brad joined […]
Sherri has a long-running volunteer resume. During her years working in Detroit as an executive editor at a monthly real estate newspaper, Sherri used her writing skills to help people experiencing homelessness in a facet similar to what awaited her at Chrysalis. When the Santa Monica-native made her way back to Southern California, she knew […]
“I wanted to do something where I could help people,” Russ recalls thinking as he researched local organizations making an impact in the community. At the start of his volunteer tenure, Russ made Chrysalis a part of his weekly commute. He would begin his day volunteering at our Downtown Los Angeles center and then head […]
Over the last 35 years as a Cast Member of the Disneyland Resort, Chrysalis Orange County volunteer Kim has mentored many along their employment journeys. She has a knack for recognizing talent, a passion for helping others, and a natural inclination toward nurturing and developing future leaders. In an instant, her warmth and charm are […]
For Branka, serving her community was always an important part of her life. Over the years, she worked in different capacities on activities that promoted young women in STEM education, inspiring the next generation to reach for the stars. Still, she knew there were more people she could impact. “This time, I wanted to do […]
Shejal is no stranger to taking leaps of faith. Born and raised on the East Coast, she found herself making the trek across the country in 2018 with her husband and son, ready to start something new. One aspect of her life she was not ready to let go of was her dedication to volunteering. […]
A teacher with years of experience under her belt, Susan was a natural fit for our volunteer team. Upon retirement, she wasn’t quite ready to let go of her passion for education, so she began volunteering with a local nonprofit that allowed her to work with high school youth in a tutoring capacity. Armed with […]
A compassionate student, Billy joined the Orange County volunteer team eager to help clients with experience in the criminal justice system and other barriers to employment who are ready to reenter the workforce. Having seen the impacts of homelessness in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Billy knew that it was important for him to get […]
After over a year of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteering at Chrysalis looks vastly different than it has in years past. In March of 2020, our staff confronted the uncertainty brought on by the dual economic and health crisis and revamped our program to a virtual model. When the call for virtual volunteers was made, […]
Prior to offering her time at Chrysalis’ San Fernando Valley center as a volunteer, Maria had a career in the entertainment industry followed by years of volunteering with many nonprofit organizations, typically those that worked with children. She realized how much she enjoyed teaching, which led her to search the popular internet database Volunteer Match […]
With an eight-year tenure as a Chrysalis volunteer, Bob is an avid supporter of assisting clients throughout the job search. Although he had been volunteering in person at our Santa Monica center, he was quick to sign up to administer virtual services after we modified our in-person services in mid-March for the safety of clients, […]
A strong ambition to help individuals navigating financial inequalities find stability is just one passion that Chrysalis volunteers Jacob, Jeffrey, and Sadhna have in common. What’s more, they all began volunteering at Chrysalis through their employer and long-time partner OneWest Bank, a Southern California based retail bank with over 60 locations. Jacob, an Orange […]
Kelsey’s interest in social services began while she was studying entertainment law at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and got involved in a program that assisted individuals from Downtown Los Angeles nonprofits and shelters to launch micro-businesses. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with others to achieve financial independence and, upon graduating, began to look […]
A little over a year ago, Los Angeles local Stephen was looking for ways to give back and get involved in his community. As a hiring manager for his company, he thought Chrysalis had a variety of fitting opportunities for him. He believed his experience helped him “see the best of both worlds when it […]
Kathy, a Long Beach local and Chrysalis Orange County volunteer, knew she wanted to continue helping clients despite centers being closed to the public in early March. She was actually the first volunteer to begin providing Chrysalis clients with virtual services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the “safer-at-home” ordinance from local governments, Kathy had […]
Six years ago, around the time Jack was retiring, he met Chrysalis CEO & President Mark Loranger. He became interested in volunteering after getting to know Mark but notes that it was his wife who ultimately convinced him. She reminded him how his career in Human Resources made him a fitting candidate for guiding Chrysalis […]
When Marshall retired, he knew he wanted to use his newfound free time to volunteer. Though he was searching for the right opportunity, he actually found Chrysalis on accident. While in Downtown Los Angeles for lunch one day, he came across Chrysalis’ center and was quickly intrigued. He sent in a volunteer application and, soon […]
When working one-on-one with clients, Anna likes to focus on self-worth and the importance of fostering a positive mindset in the midst of hardship. She has noticed that clients often express embarrassment about their past or current situations and feel they do not deserve more chances. To counter this, she helps them claim ownership of […]