“I was shell-shocked.” That’s how Michael felt when he came home from long-term incarceration. He had fallen into the gang lifestyle in his teenage years and spent his youth in juvenile hall and probation camps. After returning in his early twenties, he continued the same path—coming in and out of prison until 2024. While Michael […]
About one year ago, Vanessa wasn’t dreaming about her ideal career or searching for her life’s calling. After a traumatic situation left her in uncertainty and overwhelm, she was looking for a safe place to land—a way to get back into the rhythm of everyday life. She focused on regaining solid ground for herself and […]
Before walking out of Chrysalis’ San Fernando Valley center, Eddie makes sure to grab a stack of flyers. He’s the kind of person who believes in paying it forward. Anytime he meets someone looking for a fresh start, he pairs words of encouragement with an informational flyer—confident they’ll be able to find a path forward […]
After the workweek, Ernest slows down to enjoy the simple delights of spending time with his family and playing with his growing grandchildren. It’s an ordinary day but one that felt out of reach just a year ago. Ernest came home in the summer of 2024 after being incarcerated for 30 years. The path that led him there was […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
It’s impossible to miss Rudy’s glowing smile when you enter Chrysalis’ Downtown Los Angeles center. As client services operations coordinator, he is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service every day, ensuring that our lobby is both safe and welcoming for clients and all who enter. He explains that his approach is rooted in empathy and […]
The car is so silent you could hear a pin drop. Shantelle glances into the rearview mirror and locks smiling eyes with her son and daughter – they know what’s coming. In an instant, a spontaneous burst of rhythm fills the vehicle, beginning with Shantelle’s foundational beat – boom-chk, boom-boom-chk – followed by her children’s […]
The sun was beginning to set as Salvador pulled into the parking lot at work. As he walked inside, he paused and took a moment to glance back at his 2024 Nissan Sentra. He grinned widely as he admired the sparkling new rims reflecting the sun’s afterglow. Thirty-seven years ago, at the start of a […]
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 […]
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 […]
When Graham was faced with a life sentence in prison at 21 years old, he thought he would never go home. His grandmother – whom he called his guiding light – had passed away while he was fighting his case. He remembers thinking, I’m done. I don’t have anything to go home to. When Graham […]
In 2019, we had the privilege of introducing you to Stephanie. Now, four years later, we are honored to provide an update on her remarkable journey, which showcases her continued personal and professional growth and the profound impact she is making in our community. “Life on the streets was definitely crazy,” she shares. “Going from […]
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 […]
When asked what a steady job means to her, Monet smiles and looks at her daughter, “It feels good. It feels really good to be back on track. Everything I’m doing is to make a better life for her.” As a Security Guard with Southern California Edison, Monet helps to ensure public safety and the […]
It’s game day. Maria spots a Dodger blue sports car in the line of vehicles she is processing for parking. As they pull up, she compliments their ride and the driver, beaming, heads into the lot at Chavez Ravine. As an SP+ cashier and ambassador at Dodger Stadium, Maria cherishes the opportunity to greet fans […]