Brett Ratner Photographs Clients of L.A. Homeless Employment Nonprofit Chrysalis

Brett Ratner and Chrysalis

Brett Ratner serves on the board of Chrysalis, an L.A. non-profit founded in 1984 that helps the homeless find work. Ratner's own father was homeless, and he wishes a place like Chrysalis was around to help his father get a job. Chrysalis has provided employment services for 42,000 homeless men and women over the years and helped clients secure nearly 2,000 jobs last year. "We emphasize a self-directed job search," said Chrysalis president and CEO Mark Loranger (second from left). "Clients have to be ready to make some change in their life."

Willie Jenkins

"I've been a client off and on since 1988. The employment specialists are friendly. If you're serious about getting a job, they go the extra mile and have helped me get numerous jobs," Willie Jenkins, 61, said. "I've been working in security at a construction site since March. I'd say between this job and hte last two, I've been employed about three years now. It's been smooth sailing. Before that I was homeless."

Belinda Muhammed

"After 27 years working in corporate America in Memphis, I couldn't pay rent when the economy got bad," Belinda Muhammed, 55, said. "I ended up on the street, and that was bad. I had to stand in line for food. I got to Chrysalis in February and have lived in the women's shelter program at the Weingart Center downtown since March. Chrysalis gave me my confidence back. My goal is to mass produce my foods and put them in stores."

Justin John Paul Sieckman

"I'm here to l earn how to keep a job. I don't have a problem finding a job, I have a problem keeping a job. It's due to stress, anger, alcohol addiction," Justin John Paul Sieckman, 31, said. "I'm doing this rehab now and have been here for four months. At Chrysalis, I've taken classes in job prep, goal planning, recovery and the workplace. I'm hoping to get the stability to advance further than I usually do."

David Lee Thomason

"I'm an actor and writer. This time last year, I was unemployed and homeless. Chrysalis really saved me," David Lee Thomason, 39, said. "Everybody has a dream, but it's life skills that Chrysalis gives you. They never talked down to me about my dream, but they were very focused on the reality of right now. I'm in search of work and recently obtained my SAG-AFTRA card. They regenerated my spirit."

Sandra Phillips

"I've been with Chrysalis since January," Sandra Phillips, 46, said. "I was referred by my daughter. Being a part of things and feeling connected is great because I am a recovering addict. It's designed to put your life back in order because of the gaps in your life. It's another chance to make your life whole again. I've been sober since 2003. I love this place, and I'm very close with my family -- but this is my second family. I've never been homeless, and I thank God for that."

Cecila McKinley

"Chrysalis started Chrysalis Enterprises to give jobs to clients including one with downtown's business improvement district for street cleanup," Cecilia McKinley, 52, said. "I work down there cleaning streets and doing maintenance. The job is great. I've been there seven months cleaning streets, talking to people, giving people directions and getting rid of graffiti. It was over a year that I didn't have a job. Chrysalis is a great program. They teach you skills, and they really take a lot of time to work with you on things including interviewing skills."

Karin Johnson

"I spent 38 years of my life in three positions. I had never experienced being unemployed or homeless and they all occurred at the same time. I was laid off my last job in March 2011, but I'm about to start a new job doing data entry, so life is good," Karin Johnson, 62, said. "I've been doing shelters and transitional living, which has been tough, especially at my age. There have been times I wanted to give up, and Chrysalis wouldn't let me. I am ready to start this job, and I give credit to them."