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 […]
Over the years, Kala has lived around the world and had an expansive career ranging from working with the U.S. Department of Justice to singing opera professionally to beginning her own business here in Los Angeles: Five Senses Tastings. She first learned about Chrysalis in a newsletter from Mayor Garcetti, which listed different ways Angelenos […]
As class comes to an end at noon, Lesley can usually be found hanging back with clients. After nearly two years of facilitating job-readiness classes at Chrysalis Santa Monica, staying later to answer questions and get to know clients has become a part of her weekly routine. For Lesley, volunteering here isn’t just about teaching […]
Volunteering and supporting his community has almost always been a part of Tim’s life. But prior to finding Chrysalis, he was primarily focused on nonprofits and mentorship programs based in the marketing industry. After a long career in sales and sales management – and after starting his own consulting business – Tim was looking for […]
Eshaan, a student at Chapman University, was looking for more ways to serve his community and share his knowledge in financial literacy when he found Chrysalis. Now, you can find him at Chrysalis Orange County every Wednesday facilitating job-readiness classes and one-on-one resume and interview preparation.
After retiring, Bill began volunteering at the V.A. as a job-readiness coach. There, he learned about Chrysalis and after referring numerous veterans, he began volunteering here as well. Now, he teaches Workplace Success every week at Chrysalis Santa Monica.
When he first learned about Chrysalis, Manuel was inspired by the community he saw. He decided to take advantage of the opportunity to serve individuals facing similar barriers to the ones he had dealt with when immigrating to the United States and began facilitating job-readiness classes for Spanish-speaking clients in the San Fernando Valley.
Before volunteering at Chrysalis, Bill was mentoring college students in China on how to secure employment after graduation. After thirteen years, he returned to the United States and began looking for opportunities to continue his work. Now, Bill spends three days a week conducting practice interviews and writing resumes with clients in Downtown Los Angeles.
Prior to the opening of Chrysalis’ Orange County center in November 2018, Carrie Nocella participated in a tour of Chrysalis’ Downtown Los Angeles center and walked through the neighboring Skid Row area. After seeing Chrysalis’ work firsthand, she was sold on getting involved. “I’m a firm believer that you have to see it, you have […]
After making a career for herself as a department head in the film industry and starting her own resume-writing business, Robyn decided to lend her expertise to Chrysalis clients when long-time supporter John Paul DeJoria recommended she try volunteering. Now, she spends each Wednesday drafting resumes, conducting practice interviews, and guiding clients through online job applications. This year, we were lucky enough to have her join us at the first Women’s Empowerment Conference as well!
With a background in career development and a familiarity with what it takes to overcome barriers, Cindy decided to put her expertise to use by volunteering at Chrysalis. Whether she’s leading a job readiness class or facilitating a workshop at the Women’s Empowerment Conference, she is always prepared to lift clients up and help them realize their full potential.
When Roberta first learned about Chrysalis, she quickly began to organize donation drives as her way of helping out for the next ten years. After retiring, she decided she wanted to be more involved. Soon enough, she was facilitating classes and providing one-on-one services to clients.
Anaheim native and CSU Fullerton alumnae, Erika, was one of the first volunteers to arrive eager to share her positivity and professionalism with clients from her community when Chrysalis opened its fourth center in Orange County near the end of 2018.
As the top employer in the county according to Orange County Business Journal reporting, Disney’s large network of VoluntEARS were front and center when it came to welcoming Chrysalis to Anaheim.
Teaching is Paula’s calling. After working for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 34 years, she retired and began volunteering with Chrysalis facilitating the final course in our Job Preparation curriculum: Keeping the Job. She shared, “I love helping people, and I absolutely love to teach. I really want everyone in the class to absolutely […]
“I live in Santa Monica, and I was looking for a way to volunteer in a more meaningful way than just a one-off experience,” shared Chrysalis volunteer Karen about finding Chrysalis three years ago. Karen started looking at nonprofits in her neighborhood, adding, “When I found out exactly what Chrysalis did, I thought it was […]
“By far, my favorite memories of Chrysalis are the times when I’ve been doing a practice interview with someone and the bell rings. We all go into the lobby and hear the person tell their story. It’s incredibly emotional… It is what I go home and talk to my family and friends about for days. It makes me feel really lucky.”
Paula Coleman’s “Keeping Your Job” class at the nonprofit Chrysalis is equal parts Tony Robbins seminar and practical guide to staying employed. The students — many of whom are homeless — have already gone through workshops on how to do job interviews and craft resumes.
For almost five years, Pat has provided one-on-one practice interview services and facilitated Job Prep 3: The Interview, preparing hundreds of clients to feel confident and interview-ready. As an actor with years of experience pitching himself to casting agents, he easily drew the parallels between auditions and traditional interviews when he started volunteering with Chrysalis. […]
USC connects students with volunteer opportunities, like one-on-one resume writing and practice interview services provided at Chrysalis, to help individuals experiencing homelessness prepare to get back to work.
“Every single time I hear that bell ring, and every time I hear someone tell their story, is a favorite memory. For me, that’s what it’s really about. It’s about camaraderie, respect, achievement, and pride. And it’s not only the person telling their story, but the reaction of everyone in the office around them. It’s […]
From serving on our Board of Directors to providing one-on-one services to clients, Steve is changing lives in a number of ways at Chrysalis!
The first thing Barb did when she moved to Santa Monica eleven years ago was search for ways to become involved in her new community. So when she walked past Chrysalis’ Santa Monica center, it was a perfect, serendipitous encounter. Before long, she was plugged in and providing one-on-one services to her new neighbors – […]
“I can’t encourage people enough, when they retire, to find their niche in volunteering with the population that interests them most,” explains Gretchen when discussing her eight years of volunteer service at Chrysalis and her passion for helping those with criminal backgrounds.
“I live downtown and I felt compelled to do something about the problems I see all around me. Chrysalis allows me to directly help neighbors in need.” -Russ
“I am inspired by the determination and hope the clients have. These people are here and they want to change their lives. They don’t want to be outcasts.” -Barry