Chrysalis & Urban Possibilities Creating Impact Together Jan 2014 1
“. . . only three days into this 12-week endeavor, I have tapped into opportunities that will further my career options, and inspire creative works to come. . . Kudos to Chrysalis, and especially to you my dear employment specialist, for patiently and painstaking supporting my academic, creative and personal endeavors.” March 21, 2013 It is such a refreshing and amazing opportunity Chrysalis has introduced this past Thursday in providing us with The Writing Empowerment Group. In just a few days, I have experienced sheer encouragement at a time I had been stuck in a rut. As an artist, between “J.O.B.s”, I recently fell into a slump, spiraling through a depressive episode, rendering me disillusioned, uninspired, and just flat out unhopeful. As of Saturday, only three days into this 12-week endeavor, I have tapped into opportunities that will further my career options, and inspire creative works to come, as well as reignite the creative and vocational dreams I have built thus far. Kudos to Chrysalis, and especially to you my dear employment specialist, for patiently and painstaking supporting my academic, creative and personal endeavors. Respectfully, Tabia Salimu
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“When we met every Thursday we were challenged to embrace our pain and the hardships that we experienced in the past and use that as fuel to literally write “our new lives” and dreams.” Dear Chrysalis, Thank you for all of your support and positive energy. Your program is unique and very productive. You guys are saving lives and inspiring people who might have lost hope along the way. Continue to be a beacon and I hope your company just continues to get bigger and bigger. I feel that Chrysalis is interested in more than just finding you a job they help you find yourself. Thanks a million! The Urban Possibilities empowerment, writing, and performance program has changed my life in numerous ways. This program helped me channel and strengthen the creative artist that was dormant in me. When we met every Thursday we were challenged to embrace our pain and the hardships that we experienced in the past and use that as fuel to literally write “our new lives” and dreams. They also helped us create tools to use not just when writing but when dealing with life in general. This experience will never leave my soul. Thank you for everything, David Lee Thomason
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“Happy to be in class, I feel free those 2 hours. My mind is out of prison for a while. See you next class.” (via text) Dear Chrysalis,
I have been a part of Chrysalis since Jan 2013 and it’s been a very positive experience for me on my journey. Thank you for all the resources that you provide, our employment specialist, preparing us for interviews and lastly thank you for allowing Urban Possibilities to have the empowerment class at the facility. It was one of the best experiences in my life. It has given me life again. The class has given me the courage to open my heart up and to help me inspire others. Letting go of the past has brought color back into my life. Thank you for letting me be a part of Urban Possibilities and my very first empowerment class. With the support of Chrysalis I am wishing continued success to Urban Possibilities and future students to come. Blessings, Chavon James
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“. . If others would do work like Chrysalis has done the world would be a better place. . . Today I can live knowing I can make a great impact in my life and the lives of others.� This letter is for Chrysalis, it is truly a gift that you are touching so many lives and that you have touched me. Totally it is such a dream that I have been searching for, for a very long time. If others would do work like Chrysalis has done the world would be a better place. I am so emotionally touched by the empowerment class. It made me a better person. Today I can live my life knowing that I can make a great impact in my life and in the lives of others. Urban Possibilities has imprinted my heart forever. Yours Truly, The new and improved Mark Gilmore
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“. . . I thank Neidy Portillo for the experience. . . It gave me a sense of empowerment . . . still being able to smile is a blessing . . . From sexual and physical abuse as a child I rise and I will continue to. . . “ I would like to thank Chrysalis for giving me the opportunity to be involved with Urban Possibilities Writing Empowerment group. I would like to thank Neidy Portillo for the experience and may I look forward to working with you in the future. I feel this program needs to be extended for a lifetime. I feel it gave me something to look forward to. It gave me a sense of empowerment and allowed me to write my true feelings on paper. It helps me to have so many true stories that can help other women such as myself. Going through the things I’ve been through and still being able to smile is a blessing. From sexual and physical abuse as a child I rise and I will continue to go up to the top. Thank you Urban Possibilities for your help and caring for us and embracing us as your family. Love, Eileen Knight
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“When I finished my participation at the performance I was full of energy, encouragement, and enough strength to face the future. I am ready to begin again. I am strong again.”
Thank you Chrysalis,
inside your program.”
“Since the first class empowerment class up to yesterday before the performance, I was feeling weak. When I finished my participation at the performance I was full of energy, encouragement, and enough strength to face the future. I am ready to begin again. I am strong again. I have no words to describe the transformation in my insides. You had the hidden precious jewel I was looking for, it was
Carmen Alvarado
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“I wish they made these classes 10 years ago. It has really brightened up my future. Anything good can happen to me now. . . everything is possible . . . stay with us forever.” To Chrysalis, Thank you for the chance given to me to attend the classes for Empowerment, Writing, & Performance, this has been the best experience I’ve ever had. Chrysalis you are the best! I feel so different…big time. When I attend the classes. I never know what is about. After I been coming for a period I love class and how it makes me happy and positive. It has opened me up to express my feelings. I feel I should have been here a long time ago to change my spirit, life and feelings. I have to keep it up. I wish they made these classes 10 years ago. It has really brightened up my future. Anything good can happen to me now. I believe that the unbelievable happens every day with Urban Possibilities. Everything is possible! Please keep this program going and going…next time for a whole year because it’s a great program. I am so grateful. Stay with us forever. Thank you,
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Sally Shahine
“Thank you so much for the class. To me it provided escape from the ghetto’s reality. . . I feel honored to be part of this group. Urban Possibilities class brought comfort to my presently not so perfect existence.” Dear Chrysalis, Thank you so much for the class. To me it provided escape from the ghetto’s reality. Made me say “ahhhh…this is refreshing”. My writings are like children and I love to watch them grow. Please keep it up and running. Folk need this! If it was not for the art of writing I’d be 100% crazy, Instead of 85% that I am now… haha. To be able to release anger, fear, doubt, pain, joy, and love on paper has to be God sent. From Moses to Stephen King…William Shakespeare to Maya Angelou…and many writers in the past. I feel honored to be part of this group. Urban Possibilities class brought comfort to my presently not so perfect existence. I plan on supporting this program throughout my life journey. Thanks, Joe Perry 9
“Chrysalis not only offers clients hope of attaining meaningful employment, but also offers them empowerment tools. . . It challenged me to rethink my life, my values, my expectations and even my future.” Chrysalis – Thank You! Personally, as a long-standing client, I am always encouraged by all the wonderful resources this organization offers to its clients. I have always experienced the fact that not only is Chrysalis an organization that looks after the needs of clients but they have seen the need to improve their lot in life. In my own experience, Chrysalis not only offers clients hope of attaining meaningful employment, but also offers them empowerment tools. Chrysalis is about the whole person. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Chrysalis for bringing Urban Possibilities and their amazing empowerment program to us. From the first time I stepped into the class I envisioned improving on my writing and developing new ways for self-expression. This class gave me definitely more than that! It challenged me to rethink my life, my values, my expectations and even my future. It taught me that I could bring a fresher perspective into my life. I loved the whole 10
experience from beginning to end. Thanks a million for all your support, for all the belief and encouragement of us. Thanks again for so much generosity and commitment. Esther Alejandro
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CURRENT CLASS Terry McKenrick then . . . “I've lost myself, I don't know who I really am. I don't think I ever knew who I ever was.” I can't let go of the past and switch to living in the present. Maybe I could if LA was much kinder. I've become hard and it’s hard to manage this beast that dwells inside my mind, body, and soul. I am angry for what I had to go through because there was never any justice to give me the peace I so dearly need. I've lost myself, I don't know who I really am. I don't think I ever knew who I ever was.
Terry McKenrick Now . . . – 1/9/14 I was chicken, afraid to go to college, that others would find out I was stupid and dumb. Now I am fearless to the point I really stretch my neck out to make way or something of self. Now I won, self, pride, compassion for self, that I want to now live through my talents. Thrusting them all to the forefront of life for all to see. I don't desire to be liked or admired. I will live my life, my way, not choosing any one side as for as religious beliefs. I am happy the clouds have cleared and the rain has stopped. Now it’s my time to flourish, prosper and SHINE!!!
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Geffen Playhouse Partnership
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2014 CRITICAL PROGRAM DATES Pre Show Discussion - The Birthday Party @ Chrysalis
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2014
Show Night - The Birthday Party @ The Geffen
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2014
Post Show Discussion - The Birthday Party @ Chrysalis
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2014
Class #2 Reading (Current Class) @ Inner City Arts
Friday, Feb 28, 2014
Class #3 Start Date
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Pre Show Discussion - Ruth Draper @ Chrysalis
Wednesday, Apr 16, 2014
Show Night - Ruth Draper @ The Geffen
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2014
Post Show Discussion - Ruth Draper @ Chrysalis
Wednesday, Apr 23, 2014
Class #3 Reading Date @ Inner City Arts
May 28, 29, 30 *
Class #4 Start Date
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Pre Show Discussion - The Country House @ Chrysalis
Wednesday, Jun 18, 2014
Show Night - The Country House @ The Geffen
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2014
Post Show Discussion - The Country House @ Chrysalis
Wednesday, Jun 25, 2014
Class #4 Reading Date @ Inner City Arts
August 27, 28, 29 *
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DISCUSSION POINTS The Challenges o o o o o o
Literacy Creating a cohesive group Drop Off rates Engaging Employment Specialist Being integrated into the pipeline Internal PR  Newsletter  Website
What Happens to Them Next o o
Tracking students after program completion Measuring Impact
LOI re: Leah Michelle Project Promoting our Partnership Joint Fundraising Opportunities o o
Grants Inviting potential funders to readings
Ways to Improve
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