Chrysalis client Darius Coffey was raised in the foster care system and had been in and out of jail since the age of 12 — until the Los Angeles resident was convicted of assault and sentenced to three years in prison.

Client Darius Coffey turned his life around with help from Chrysalis, a nonprofit organization that provides job readiness programs to low-income individuals and the homeless. He recently received the 2014 John Dillon Award. (photo courtesy of Chrysalis)

After being released, Coffey said he decided to leave his “shady” background in the past and began seeking substance abuse services. Eventually, he was led to Chrysalis, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless and low-income individuals prepare to enter the workforce.

Coffey admits that he has not always made the best decisions throughout his life, but his commitment to seek services may have been the most important decision yet. It’s paid off, culminating in a full-time position and recognition by Chrysalis as its 2014 John Dillon Award recipient.

“They definitely gave me a brand new belief system as far as confidence,” Coffey said. “Chrysalis definitely gave me a template, kind of a road map. …They’re not holding your hand.”

Since 1984, the organization has helped its clients seek work by offering job readiness and job search services, a transitional job program and post-employment support. Clients learn how to create resumes, write cover letters and promote themselves during an interview. The organization also operates two for-profit businesses — a street cleaning and maintenance company and a business that works with affordable housing providers — that provides transitional job opportunities for clients.

Chrysalis has three locations — downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Pacoima — but its clientele and volunteers come from all over L.A., including the Mid-Wilshire and Hollywood areas.

Former Fairfax High School teacher Lily Wolk has been volunteering since January. She said she visits the center at Skid Row on Wednesdays, when she has a two-hour time slot to teach resume writing, conduct mock interviews or assist clients with computer questions. In the very near future, she’ll begin a money management class.

“I absolutely love it,” Wolk said, adding that she has always worked with inner-city and low-income students. “That part was not unfamiliar for me.”

However, Chrysalis also frequently works with people who have criminal histories. Wolk admitted to having a stereotypical image of the Skid Row clientele in her head before her first day volunteering.

“It turns out they’re just amazing people,” she said, adding that the clients are “super” appreciative and helpful. “They’re really willing to show that. I really feel like I’m making a difference.”

Wolk said many clients have not received a lot of reassurance throughout their lives, and she is pleased to help provide that. She said volunteering for Chrysalis makes her feel like she is putting a dent in the social problems that plague Skid Row.

“Everyone’s very nice and supportive. It’s just a really, really positive atmosphere,” Wolk added.

She retired two years ago from Fairfax High School, where she served as a special education teacher. Wolk said a friend of a friend frequently raved about the organization, so she gave it a shot. She’d tried to volunteer at other organizations previously, but the process to begin was laden with red tape and bureaucracy.

“I can’t say enough about Chrysalis,” Wolk said. “I think it’s a wonderful program. They really help those that are in dire need.”

She said the organization provides volunteers with manuals and resources so that they do not start from scratch. In general, Chrysalis is very organized, Wolk said.

Coffey said he was kind of “spooked” by the organization at first. There is always a lot of activity going on at the facilities, and the people involved looked like they knew what they were doing, he said.

Still, Coffey opted to take some classes, and soon, he had the ability to put together a nice, concise job application. He joined the SRO Housing Corp. Food Services Program in April 2012, and after six months, he was promoted to lead cook.

On June 7, Coffey received the John Dillon Award, which celebrates the organization’s client of the year.

Mark Loranger, Chrysalis’ president and CEO, said Coffey is an ideal client, as he was the first to admit his mistakes, worked to get his life on track and reunited with his family.

“That’s the best part about doing the work we do,” he said of seeing families get pieced back together.

Loranger, who has been with the organization for seven years, said Chrysalis’ clients are usually frustrated and beginning to question whether they have the ability to support themselves or their families.

“By the time a client gets to us … they’ve exhausted a lot of the options and resources that might be available in the community,” he said.

Loranger said a key component of the services is restoring confidence. When a client gets a job, staffers ring a bell in the lobby of the facilities and everyone in the building listens to their story and in some cases offers advice, he said.

“For a lot of clients, it’s the first time — maybe ever — they’ve had any public recognition of success,” Loranger said, adding that many come from broken homes, have bad support systems and have not had a lot of positive reinforcement in their lives.

He said two-thirds of Chrysalis’ clients have a criminal history, mostly due to drugs and other nonviolent crimes. Loranger said a criminal past goes hand-in-hand with homelessness and unstable housing options.

The organization does not provide housing, but it has a network of partner agencies that assist clients in other aspects of their lives, he said.

“We just could not do the work we do without their help,” Loranger added.

He said Chrysalis is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having been created by 22-year-old John Dillon, who originally founded the organization as a food and clothing provider. Later, the mission changed to help clients become employed.

Now, Chrysalis serves about 3,500 to 4,000 people each year, Loranger said. He said the organization welcomes approximately 25 new clients each day.

The nonprofit receives local and federal funding, and it is also supported by the for-profit businesses, which bring in about $6 million in revenue annually, Loranger said.

“Considering the work we do, it’s pretty unusual for an agency like us to have a relatively modest government funding base,” he said. “We would prefer to rely on private funding for the flexibility that it gives us.”

Loranger added that he is not a nonprofit director by profession, having owned his own business previously.

“This is by far the most rewarding work and best job I’ve ever had,” he said.

For information or to make donations, call (310)401-9424 or visit www.changelives.org.