By PATRICK KINMARTIN Special to the Daily Press
The rate of economically disadvantaged and homeless people seeking employment in Santa Monica has increased as a result of a depressed local economy, according to one official.
Chrysalis, a non-profit organization that works to help the unemployed become self-sufficient by providing them with monthly maintenance jobs for the city, estimates that about 350 clients have applied to its Santa Monica office this year through June.
That number represents a sharp rise in Santa Monica’s traditional midyear total and a higher rate of incoming applicants than its offices in Los Angeles and Pacoima have received, said Emily Newman, Chrysalis’ chief development officer.
“Chrysalis was founded on the premise of changing lives through jobs, and we plan on continuing to do that while helping the community thrive...” — — EMILY NEWMAN Chrysalis chief development officer
“It’s becoming very noticeable that our Santa Monica office has been directly affected by the surrounding economy,” Newman said. “It’s tending to be where most frequently people are coming in having recently lost their jobs.”
In addition, Newman said it is taking longer for Chrysalis clients to find work in Santa Monica.
“Now, as opposed to the past where it would take just five or six weeks for them to find something, it is taking up to 15 weeks,” she said. “In most cases, the time it is taking has more than doubled.
“It’s a little concerning when you look at it.”
Still, Chrysalis boasts a 93 percent success rate in helping nearly 600 clients a year find work and become self-sufficient.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 5, 2003. Read the original PDF.