I Am A Supporter - Visiting Homeboy Industries

Why is it that as life is progressing forward, it can feel so random and chaotic, but when viewed in the rearview mirror, there is an obvious path visible?  Over 30 years ago, when my sons were in Loyola High School, we met one of their teachers, a young scholastic who was studying to become a Jesuit priest...Mr. Boyle.  Greg became a mentor to the boys and a friend of the family.  Over the years we have stayed in touch and followed his path as he continued to make the world a better place and consistently share the message of Jesus as he understood it.  He went from high school teacher, to parish pastor, to founder of Homeboy Industries, choosing to spend his life helping young people who were caught up in gang life and willing...change their lives.

Last week, we were invited by our friend, Pat, to join a group of her friends in a tour of Homeboy Industries.  This group has formed with the purpose of bringing more compassion into our world and through reading, discussion and action, are trying to make a difference.  While we have watched the growth of Homeboys and have supported their efforts financially, we had never actually set foot inside their doors so we were eager to join them.

First of all the entire building is impressive...a huge complex that houses the answer to every need that any former gang member would have as they attempted to exit their gang life and enter a new life's path.  It would take volumes to share all the details of this amazing operation, but the photos I took of our visit will give a small sense of this reality.

We were greeted right on the time of our appointment and Francesco became our host/guide for the day.

We started outside where he gave us a brief history of Homeboys and showed us the garden where the cooks for the Homegirl Cafe grow their own herbs while also sharing his personal story of how he came to Homeboys.

He initially came for the free tattoo removal offered to anyone who wanted it

and while there, Fr. Greg stopped him and asked him if he would like a job...the condition being that he leave the gang, get off drugs and be able to pass frequent and random drug tests.  His path was not straight, he had some dips and turns, but there he was talking to us, proudly sharing Homeboys and his hopes for his future.

Homeboys started small...Fr. Greg working to find jobs for those caught in the web of gang life believing that "Nothing Stops a Bullet Like a Job!"

Over the years they created a silk screening shop where the graphic art talents of the youth could be put to good use.

They created a bakery that makes and delivers breads and pastries to customers, shops and various Farmers' Markets.

Gradually they built a huge network of volunteers and employees who offer counseling, parenting skills, anger management, drug rehabilitation, computer skills, job interviewing skills and coaching, employment assistance, housing assistance, job referrals, and two classrooms always filled with a variety of classes.

Realizing the need to young girls to also be included in this outreach, the Homegirl Cafe was opened where women develop the skills necessary to work in a restaurant environment while building their own self-esteem.

Each day at Homeboys begins with a Morning Meeting held in their lobby.  Here are the main offices, a shrine to fallen Homeboys, and the receptionist.

Part of the morning is a "Thought for the Day" given by one of the staff, and sometimes by Fr. Greg.  This can be seen on Youtube or at the Homeboys website.

The path from the life of the gang to a healthy productive life with a future that hopefully doesn't include a bullet is not easy.  Often it is just a small need that can be the stonewall that prevents someone from moving forward.  Fr. Greg has tried to answer each of those needs in this enterprise and all in an environment that conveys the message that no matter what, you are just what God intended and you are GOOD!  You can not be exposed to this message without wanting to joining hands and become a part of this community.  It is easy to do.  It can be as simple as buying a copy of Fr. Greg's recent book, "Tattoos On The Heart,"

buying Homeboys chips and salsa now carried at all Ralph's markets, stopping in at the Homegirl Cafe for brunch, sending a check to be used as they need.  They are also always in need of willing people with special skills to donate their time and presence.  Right now they are in need of psychologists and counselors.

After the tour we treated ourselves to lunch at Homegirl Cafe.

We left the day with busy heads, full of thoughts about how a generous, compassionate heart can make a difference and with open hearts, filled with the love and hope that exists within the walls of Homeboy Industries.