Chrysalis brings its mental health help to former Bunky’s space

Chrysalis is hosting an open house Oct. 30 from 2-6 p.m.

By Alesia Mayfield, Eastside News

A social services agency with a 46-year history of helping those in need has made its new home on Atwood Avenue. Chrysalis moved into the building that was formerly occupied by Bunky’s Café and Catering, 2425 Atwood Ave. This location will give the organization greater visibility.

Chrysalis provides a nonclinical approach to mental health. Its mission and equity statement says the organization “promotes mental health and substance use recovery in our community by supporting work opportunities that encourage hope, healing, and wellness.”

Executive Director Dani Rischall describes how Chrysalis follows its mission.

“The organization carries out its mission and equity statement by providing a competitive community-based employment program, with the core belief that everyone can find meaningful work with the right support and job fit; individual peer services, where people can work on recovery and wellness goals alongside someone with their own lived experience in mental health and/or substance use; and the clubhouse model of community care that is centered around meaningful relationships, skill-building, and shared experience,” Rischall said.

In addition to increased visibility, the move from 1342 Dewey Court to Atwood will expand access to the services Chrysalis provides and increase sustainability.

“(The move to Atwood will) fuel new employer relationships that are core to our mission to support meaningful work and wellness … moving from renters to owners will help give Chrysalis long-term financial sustainability and stability in a time when there is so much uncertainty in nonprofit communities,” Rischall said.

Taking over the space of a former restaurant means that Chrysalis now has a commercial kitchen to help it scale up the number of daily meals being served. The building also has an elevator that helps with accessibility.

The move gives Chrysalis a location that is on a main corridor and on two bus lines (the C and 38), which further adds visibility and access. Rischall said the Atwood neighborhood is a natural fit for Chrysalis because it is a vibrant, community-minded space with incredible partners and neighbors like Goodman Community Center, small businesses, local gardens and bike paths. GCC was in the space before Bunky’s, as Atwood Community Center, before changing its name and moving to Waubesa Street in 2008.

“We’re excited to open our doors not just as a service provider, but as an active, accessible hub for wellness support and community healing right on the East Side,” Rischall said.

Rischall has been executive director at Chrysalis for almost 15 years. During her time, the organization expanded from a team of five staff members to 25, and serves over 300 Dane County residents. The growth is seen internationally. Imani Jackson came to Chrysalis in 2024 as a certified peer specialist and is now the director of development.

In her years as executive director, Rischall has seen the changes in the communities Chrysalis serves and noted the challenges.

“The need for mental health support in Madison continues to grow, and so are the complexities people face,” Rischall said. “Individuals are navigating co-occurring challenges like substance use, housing instability, food insecurity, and physical health challenges. Massive gaps in care remain. Because our services are currently structured around Medicaid, many people with private insurance who desperately need peer and employment support simply can’t access us. Owning our new home gives us the platform and financial flexibility to diversify our funding, breakdown those barriers, and ensure our doors are open to everyone in Dane County who needs a community to heal and work.”

Rischall encourages everyone to visit Chrysalis during an open house Oct. 30 from 2-6 p.m.