The Chrysalis Center

Chrysalis serves people navigating barriers to the workforce by offering a job-readiness program, individualized supportive services, and paid transitional employment. We empower our clients on their pathway to stability, security, and fulfillment in their work and lives.

Our philosophy is that a steady job is a key step in a person’s transition out of poverty and onto a pathway to self-sufficiency. Chrysalis’ core employment services are designed to meet clients where they are and support them during every phase of their self-directed job search. We believe that a job is the single most important step on a pathway to self-sufficiency. Since 1984, we have supported more than 80,000 people on their job search. We are recognized leader among Employment Social Enterprises and we have proven the link between getting someone back to work quickly, in a space where they can stabilize, grow, and access resources needed to help them navigate any barriers to future employment. 

The Chrysalis Orange County center opened in November 2018, establishing the location as a hub for Anaheim and surrounding area community members seeking employment. At the same time, the launch of the Chrysalis Roads program in Orange County saw hundreds of clients served in the first year and provided each participant with valuable experience on their resumes. Client Services staff have tailored programming and support in line with the needs of clients, working with peer organizations that focus on housing and other human services.

Our vision is a community in which all have the opportunity to work and thrive. Chrysalis is dedicated to offering comprehensive assistance to individuals facing housing instability and those with limited financial resources, all of whom aspire to secure employment and enhance their lives. Our multifaceted support includes personalized case management, targeted job readiness training, transitional employment opportunities, and ongoing job retention services. Since we began offering these resources in Orange County five years ago, over 3,000 Orange County residents have accessed our services, and more than 1,400 have found jobs.

In 2024, our impact goals include:

(1) Embracing Full In-Person Services: In alignment with our new 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, we returned to full in-person services in January 2024. This decision is rooted in the proven efficacy of in-person services for adult learners. In anticipation of this transition, our client services staff underwent intensive training to enhance readiness. Curriculums have been meticulously updated to support this shift.

(2)Reinstating Chrysalis Enterprises (CE) Transition Policies. Prior to the pandemic, Chrysalis Enterprises, the arm of our agency that provides paid transitional employment, maintained a policy requiring workers to transition out of the program within 12 months of hire. During the pandemic, the job market faced significant disruptions, resulting in a scarcity of external job opportunities for our clients. Concurrently, the expansion of transitional job opportunities through social initiatives led us to temporarily suspend the mandatory transition dates.

As 2022 drew to a close, the employment landscape had stabilized, allowing us to focus on longer-term planning regarding term limits. A comprehensive plan was developed and implemented in the first quarter of 2023, officially resuming term limits in April of that year with staggered implementation of transition dates expected to continue into 2025.

Chrysalis requires funds to support general administrative and operating needs which cover the costs of everything we do -- from job training, certifications, tools, equipment needs, and uniforms, to transportation assistance.

We have need for volunteers at our center in Anaheim to help provide a variety of services.
 

Chrysalis serves individuals from all over Orange County. Virtual services have expanded our reach and the ability for people to access services without physically reporting to the Anaheim center.

At Chrysalis we believe that a job is the best way to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. It also provides our clients, who just want that one chance, with hope, a sense of purpose and community. Chrysalis' entire staff works hard to build one-on-one relationships with those we serve, and thanks to the generosity of our community in Orange County, we will continue to change the lives of OC's most vulnerable.