Missionary Work Spotlight: Homeboy Industries
URGENT UPDATE: On Thursday, May 14, 2010 Homeboy Industries was forced to lay off most of its staff because of a decline in donations. The organization will continue to offer tattoo removal and counseling services but the silk-screening factory, landscaping company and other businesses where former rival gang members work side by side will be shut down. The Homegirl Cafe, which employs 100 people near downtown, will stay open, with many employees volunteering their time to keep it running. Read more about Homeboy Industries precarious financial situation via National Jesuit News. To donate to Homeboy Industries, please click here to be taken to their online donation page.
In 1988, Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ created the “Jobs for a Future” program as a way to address the problems of gang violence in Boyle Heights. This program would evolve into Homeboy Bakery, launched in 1992, which sought to find solutions to the civil unrest in Los Angeles. Bringing rival gang members together to build a business that could provide job-training and an environment for personal growth, Homeboy Bakery proved that many gang members were eager to leave street life for a legitimate chance at a constructive future.
In 2001, Fr. Greg launched Homeboy Industries which expanded the mission of the bakery enterprises including Homeboy Silkscreen, Homeboy/Homegirl Merchandise, Homegirl Cafe and Homeboy Maintenance.
Now more than two decades old, Fr. Greg’s ministry is recognized as the largest gang-intervention program in the United States and a model for such ministry around the world.