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Arcadia Weekly Apr 22, 2010
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Arcadia Rotarians heard a powerful message of inspiration and hope when Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries visited the club last week. With its mission statement of “Jobs not Jails,” Homeboy Industries “assists at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training and education.”
Founded by Boyle as “Jobs for a Future” in 1988 while he was pastor of Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights, Homeboy Industries began as a jobs placement program for at-risk youth as an alternative to gang involvement and violence.
“With the addition of a small bakery in a run-down warehouse located across the street from the mission, we had our own business where we could hire the most challenging and difficult to place young people in a safe environment,” said Boyle. “The hope was while there they would learn job skills that would make them better candidates for permanent employment.”
As time went on, Boyle founded several other businesses to help employ at-risk youth including Homeboy Silkscreen, Homeboy Maintenance, Homeboy Merchandise and Homegirl Cafe, collectively known today as Homeboy Industries.
According to Boyle, in only a few years, “Homeboy Industries has had an important impact on the Los Angeles gang problem and has become the largest gang employer in the world, currently employing 437 gang members representing some of the area’s 1,180 different gangs.” This, however, provides just a fraction of the jobs needed for the nearly 12,000 people who walk through Boyle’s doors each year.
“Thousands of young people have come to Homeboy Industries looking for a second chance, and finding community,” he said. “Gang affiliations are left outside as these young people work together, side by side, learning the mutual respect that comes from shared tasks and challenges.”
Boyle told the Rotarians a common experience at Homeboy Industries is “Homies” working together who consider themselves enemies.
“One would say, ‘I’ll work with him, but I’m not going to talk to him,'” said Boyle. “Later, they find it impossible to work together without talking to each other.”
Boyle told club members from his experience the problem in Los Angeles is not gangs per se, but rather an absence of hope.
“No hopeful kid ever joins a gang. When a kid joins a gang, they are always fleeing from something,” he said. “Thus the purpose of Homeboy Industries is not so much for kids that need help as it is for those who want it. And of those that work it, there’s 100% success.”
He then went on to share the many success stories he has witnessed over the years.
“And I have even learned from them as well,” said Boyle, citing the art of text messaging.
“Father Greg is one of the most remarkable men of our time! He crosses so many boundaries and achieves so much good in areas that others would never go,” said Rotarian Eric Barter. “Getting thousands out of gangs and into real lives where they don’t die! He lives this everyday! Los Angeles is so very lucky!”
Boyle received an extended standing ovation from members at the conclusion of his remarks and was presented a Rotary-themed ceramic bank on behalf of the club by president Imy Dulake.
“Our club is very honored to have you here today,” she said. “The work you do and the many lives you change is truly inspirational.”
Proceeds from Boyle’s book, “Tattoos of the Heart,” are used to help keep Homeboy Industries operational.
By Anne Donofrio-Holter
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