Chrysalis, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals, today announced its plans to expand to Orange County. The new office will be the organization’s fourth location in Southern California – the first outside of Los Angeles County – and answers an urgent call for aid to the homeless population in Orange County, which has grown to nearly 4,800, an increase of approximately 13% within five years, according to the most recent homeless count.
“At our current locations in Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pacoima, Chrysalis has been successful in helping individuals overcome significant barriers to employment,” said Mark Loranger, President and CEO of Chrysalis. “We are honored to be able to offer our services to those struggling in Orange County, where we are also hoping to foster key partnerships with community leaders in an effort to make a significant difference in what has become a grave situation.”
“The dignity of a day’s work has the power to transform lives,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait. “We have seen this with our innovative community volunteer program Better Way Anaheim. After learning about the great work of Chrysalis, I invited them to help us further expand into a full-fledged permanent jobs initiative as a pathway out of homelessness. We look forward to this partnership.”
Chrysalis, which has helped over 60,000 men and women change their lives through jobs since 1984, provides the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. The centers offer phones and computers for clients to communicate with potential employers, computer labs to search for or apply to jobs, one-on-one resume writing and interview training, bus tokens to enable clients to get to job interviews, access to business attire and personal grooming items, along with crucial ongoing support. Chrysalis also hosts a series of job prep workshops, along with one-on-one case management, and resources such as a Women’s Empowerment Program, geared toward helping women overcome trauma and build confidence.
While no address has been confirmed yet, Chrysalis is working with the City of Anaheim to identify a location, with the goal of opening Chrysalis Orange County in Fall 2018.
For more information, please visit ChangeLives.org/Expansion. Follow #PathwayToOC and @ChrysalisLA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Chrysalis
Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to prepare for, find, and retain employment. Since 1984, Chrysalis has helped nearly 60,000 individuals change their lives through jobs. The resource and opportunities available to Chrysalis clients include one-on-one case management, resume-writing assistance, practice interviews, and transitional job opportunities with the organization’s social enterprises. Annually, Chrysalis provides critical employment services to nearly 4,000 homeless and low-income individuals through its current centers in Downtown Los Angeles (Skid Row), Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley (Pacoima). www.ChangeLives.org
