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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Chicano Studies Research Center Library
Title: Homeboy Industries Records
Creator:
Homeboy Industries (Organization)
Creator:
Boyle, Greg
Identifier/Call Number: 24
Physical Description:
27 linear feet
(40 boxes; 2 record storage cartons; 2 flat boxes; 4 oversize flat boxes; 4 mixed media boxes; 1 shoe box)
Date (inclusive): 1954-2019
Abstract: In providing employment services, Homeboy targets and focuses on the segment of the community that finds it the most difficult
to secure employment on their own -- former gang members, parolees, and at-risk youth. Programs offer a much-needed intervention
to those who deserve a second chance at life. Homeboy Industries first venture was The Homeboy Bakery which trained many gang
members to become scratch bakers. Homeboy Industries has subsequently launched several additional income-producing ventures
which are still thriving.
This collection consists primarily of correspondence written by Homeboy clients and family members to Homeboy founder Father
Greg Boyle. There are also administrative records and Father Boyle's personal papers. The collection also includes an assortment
of audiovisual material.
Physical Location: COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library
and Archive for paging information.
Language of Material: Collection materials in English and Spanish.
Open for research.
Deed of gift from Homeboy Indsutries on file with the CSRC Archive office.
Father Gregory J. Boyle, S.J. is a Jesuit priest who is founder of Jobs For A Future / Homeboy Industries, an employment referral
center and economic development program. Begun in 1988, for at-risk and gang-involved youth, Jobs For A Future is, today,
a nationally recognized center that assists 1000 people a month in re-directing their lives. Through its unique and multi-service
approach, Jobs For A Future offers hope to those for whom hope is often foreign. Located in Boyle Heights, a community with
arguably the highest concentration of gang activity in Los Angeles, Jobs For A Future provides employment opportunities, counseling,
and many other services (including free tattoo removal). By seeking to address the root causes of gang violence, Jobs For
A Future creates opportunities so at-risk youth can plan their futures and not their funerals. "Nothing stops a bullet like
a job" is the guiding principle. In 1992, as a response to the civil unrest in Los Angeles, Father Boyle formed Homeboy Industries
to create businesses that provide training, work experience, and above all, the opportunity for rival gang members to work
side by side. The following economic development enterprises have been created since the first venture, Homeboy Bakery: Homeboy
Silkscreen, Homeboy / Homegirl Merchandise, Homeboy Graffiti Removal, Homeboy Maintenance, and Homeboy Landscaping.
Father Boyle was born in Los Angeles on May 19, 1954. He received his BA in English from Gonzaga University, an MA in English
from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Divinity from the Weston School of Theology, and an STM degree from the Jesuit
School of Theology. Before becoming Pastor of Dolores Mission (1986-1992), Father Boyle taught at Loyola High School and worked
with Christian Base Communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He has also served as Chaplain of the Islas Marias Penal colony in
Mexico and Folsom Prison. He was a member of the State Commission on Juvenile Justice, Crime and Delinquency Prevention, and
has served on the National Youth Gang Center Advisory Board. Father Boyle is a nationally renowned speaker at conferences
for teachers, social workers and criminal justice workers about the importance of adult attention, guidance and unconditional
love in preventing youth from joining gangs.
[Identification of item], Homeboy Industries Records, 24, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California,
Los Angeles.
Processing begun by CSRC staff in 2015. Finding aid edited and processing completed by Doug Johnson, 2018. Additions processed
by Doug Johnson in 2019.
This collection consists primarily of correspondence written by Homeboy clients and family members to Homeboy founder Father
Greg Boyle. Many of these clients were gang members incarcerated at the time of their writing. They ask for assistance, describe
conditions within the prison, and discuss their alleged crimes and potential parole.
The administrative records consist largely of copies of thank-you letters sent to donors. There is also information on the
physical plant of Homeboy Industries and on the California Youth Authority. Father Boyle's personal papers consist largely
of correspondence, photographs, and material regarding his book
Tattoos on the Heart. The collection also includes a number of DVDs and CDs.
These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user
must assume full responsibility for any use of materials, including but not limited to infringement of copyright and publication
rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.
The collection is divided into the following series:
- Series 1. Client correspondence
- Series 2. Administrative records
- Series 3. Father Greg Boyle personal files
- Series 4. Audiovisual material
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Youth with social disabilities
Boyle, Greg
Prisoners
Charities
California Youth Authority
Gangs