Homeboy Industries

We invited Joseph Raymond Lucero, our 2022 Homeboy Hero, to visit and catch up with the homies, as we gear up for Lo Máximo, our biggest fundraiser of the year. Stand with us in strengthening the services that uplift our community, offering thousands the support and belonging they deserve. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Johnny Carson Foundation, every gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $200,000. Donate today and double your impact as we come together to RAISE HOPE for our community. Donate today: lomax.givesmart.com

It takes a village. Meeting Father Greg Boyle was an incredible experience—one that deeply resonated with me as a foster youth with lived experience who has navigated both the foster care system and the criminal justice system. His words on kinship, compassion, and meeting people where they are at reinforced everything I believe in: the transformative power of connection, the necessity of vulnerability, and the radical act of showing up with empathy. Kinship care is life-changing. It is a reminder that healing happens in community, not in isolation. As someone who has lived through the systems I now work within, I know firsthand how crucial it is to lead with humility, without ego, and to truly listen. Foster youth are not just a data sample—we are human beings whose lives deserve care, dignity, and unwavering support. Father Greg’s message reignited my passion for working with vulnerable communities. It reaffirmed that being a person of color with lived experience is not just valuable—it’s essential. Representation matters. Community matters. And when we walk alongside, rather than above, those we serve, we create spaces where real transformation happens. Forever grateful for this moment and for the reminder that we are all in this together. “ no us and them, just us “ 💙 #Kinship #FosterYouthVoices #RadicalCompassion #CommunityMatters Greg Boyle. S. J. Homeboy Industries

In recognition of Fabian Debora’s amazing achievement of receiving the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage award, the City of Los Angeles adopted a resolution, presented by Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez in our new Homeboy Art Academy building. Councilwoman Hernandez honored Fabian alongside many of the art academy students. We are so proud of all of Fabian’s achievements and his vision for healing communities through the arts, creating second chances and opportunities in the creative economy for the most marginalized youth in the city.

I had the privilege of hearing Father Gregory Boyle speak at the Ethics of Caring - National Nursing Ethics Conference. As the founder of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program, his message was both powerful and profound. He reminded us: "You imagine a circle of compassion and then you imagine no one standing outside of that circle. You dismantle the barriers that exclude. It's all in the service of creating a community of cherished belonging. It's all in service of community, of connection and kinship, where there is no us and them—there is just us. You stand at the margins because that's the only way they disappear." This message resonates deeply in healthcare, where we strive to build inclusive, compassionate systems that uplift the most vulnerable. As leaders and advocates, we must ask ourselves: How are we expanding our own circles of compassion? How are we dismantling barriers in our workplaces and communities? #CompassionateCare #HealthcareLeadership #FatherGregBoyle #HomeboyIndustries Thank you Sarah Delgado for the opportunity to hear Father Boyle. ❤️❤️

A Friday tip for everyone... If you have not purchased #Cherished_Belonging by Greg Boyle. S. J., founder of Homeboy Industries, do so today. Fr. Greg's words on belonging to each other were written for this precise moment in history. Thank you Fr. Greg.

Last week, during Leadership California’s ‘Politics and Government 2025 & Beyond’ session, Dr. Raphael Sonenshein shared a powerful truth that deeply aligns with my belief system: real change and lasting impact don’t start at the federal level — they are built from the ground up, at the local level. I immediately began thinking about the inspiring example of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. Founded in 1992 by Father Greg Boyle, this social enterprise has become a beacon of hope for formerly incarcerated individuals and those seeking to leave gang life behind. It’s proof that social enterprises can be powerful engines for economic and social revitalization. By creating businesses like Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Café, they provide hands-on job training, workforce development, and real opportunities for those seeking a new path. Proof that — people rehabilitate people — not prisons! Beyond employment, they offer critical support services — mental health counseling, legal aid, and tattoo removal — breaking down barriers that often keep individuals locked out of economic mobility. The impact extends beyond individuals — it strengthens families, reduces recidivism, and transforms entire neighborhoods. Social enterprises bridge the gap between profit and purpose. When we invest in solutions that prioritize both economic empowerment and social impact, we create sustainable pathways for communities to thrive. ••• #SocialEnterprise #SocialInnovation #SocialImpact #CommunityRevitalization #EconomicEmpowerment #CommunityDevelopment #CommunityImpact #CommunityInvestment #SecondChances #SROI #JobsNotJails #FatherGregBoyle

Another wonderful morning at Homegirl Cafe (part of Homeboy Industries). This is one of my favorite places to meet donors, clients, and friends. For almost 10 years! Thank you SO much, Carla! And see you soon, Amanda!

In addition to the New Mexico team, a second group of our students are experiencing On Purpose this week. In partnership with Notre Dame Campus Ministry, we have students spending Spring Break with Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, CA. The largest gang intervention, rehab, and re-entry program in the world, Homeboy Industries was founded in 1988 by Father Greg Boyle (in the photo on the far left). As our students learn from observing Homeboy Industries’ profound commitment to human dignity, they're leaning into the challenging question of “What does it means to be human and live in dynamic interdependence with others?”

Listen to this episode with Fr. Greg Boyle. S. J. from Homeboy Industries. An inspiring and thought-provoking experience, as he shares his wisdom on compassion, kinship, and the power of second chances. https://lnkd.in/gM-NQAAs

Thank you Thomas Vozzo for your contributions to Homeboy over the past 12 years! During his tenure, Homeboy has grown tremendously: quadrupling the number of trainees we serve, tripling our senior staff, fostering relationships through the Global Homeboy Network with over 200 organizations; expanding from 3 locations to 10 work sites, launching a slew of innovative social enterprises, and nurturing the next generation of Homeboy leaders. Through Tom’s leadership, 70% of Homeboy’s management team is comprised of individuals with lived experience who were former Homeboy clients. His unwavering dedication to our mission has touched countless lives. We’re fortunate that Tom will be continuing at Homeboy as a Senior Advisor leading the Homeboy Venture and Jobs Fund, serving as Chair, mentoring our staff, and playing a pivotal role in shepherding our brand-new social enterprises.    As we say here at Homeboy, you’ll always be a part of our family. Check out a few words from Fr. Greg below: