The SEED students had a special field trip yesterday to the
headquarters of the largest nonprofit gang intervention, re-hab, and
re-entry program in the United States. Homeboy operates through free or low
cost sevices and programs, and social enterprises which employ ex gang members;
their motto is “Jobs Not Jails”.
The students had a personal tour of
the Homeboy facilities and main building, located at 130 W. Bruno ST, Los
Angeles, CA 9001. These are known as Homeboy Headquarters, because they provide
many other services around Los Angeles, but home base is here. Homegirl cafe is
located inside the building, with a fresh selection of breakfast and lunch
items available, as well as the Homeboy Bakery, where fresh bread is made twice
daily.
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| Father Greg welcoming the students to Homeboy Industries. Photo by Jocelyn Arana |
Father Gregory Boyle, or G Dog, as he is known around
Homeboy Headquarters is the man responsible for making Homeboy industries what
it is today. As the founder and now best-selling author “Tattoos on the Heart:
The Power of Boundless Compassion”, he works daily to continue expanding the
services the program provides, and change lives of many ex-gang members.
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| SEED students and father Greg outside of his office. Photo by Jocelyn Arana |
When asked why he does this kind of work, helping reform
gang members, father Greg answered, “Having compassion for others equals peace.
I see it as my mission to help as many people as I can while I am here. The
gift of giving is very powerful, we can never do it enough.”
Some of the programs Homeboy provides include tattoo
removal, job training and placement, legal services, GED completion courses,
and mental and drug abuse counseling, among other services. Their
mission statement includes: “Homeboy Industries provides hope, placement, and
support to formerly gang involved and incarcerated men and women, allowing them
to redirect their lives and become contributing members of their community.”
For more information on Homeboy Industries or Father Gregory Boyle, go to homeboyindustries.org
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