Local Nonprofit gets $500K to Help Ex-Offenders Find Jobs

By Lookout Staff

December 21, 2009 -- Chrysalis, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the homeless in Santa Monica and elsewhere find jobs, received $500,000 as part of President Obama’s spending bill signed last week. The money will go toward Chrysalis’ program that helps ex-offenders gain employment.

This funding came at the request of California Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer as part of the Omnibus Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010.

“The legislation funds critical workforce training programs that provide job seekers with the skills needed to secure employment in today’s tough job market.” Roybal-Allard said.

About 70 percent of the approximately 3,000 persons receiving help from Chrysalis during 2009 have been to jail or prison. Forty-six percent have been convicted of felonies.

“This population is very vulnerable, often having no place to live or family to turn to when released from prison,” said Mark Loranger, president and CEO of Chrysalis. “They have little hope that they will get a job.

“However, it is possible for ex-offenders to gain employment, earn a paycheck and get their lives back on track," Loranger said. "We see it all the time at Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis offers ex-offenders mentoring and job-preparation classes, including how to deal with a prison record on job applications. Clients are also provided with interview clothes, bus tokens and access to phones, computers and fax machines.

Johnny Gutierrez served five and a half years in prison before coming to Chrysalis in 2004. He said he had a low self-esteem coming out of prison, and he did not believe he could get a job.

But Chrysalis gave him the confidence and preparation he needed to find employment.

“I learned how to put together a resume, learned communications skills and gained self-confidence,” said Gutierrez, who works as a substance abuse counselor and is attending college.

For more information on Chrysalis, go to www.changelives.org.