{"id":18062,"date":"2016-02-26T13:41:10","date_gmt":"2016-02-26T13:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.impactmania.com\/im\/homeboy-industries-the-tipping-point-for-change\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T16:20:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T16:20:37","slug":"homeboy-industries-the-tipping-point-for-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.impactmania.com\/im\/homeboy-industries-the-tipping-point-for-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Homeboy Industries: The Tipping Point for Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Jose Osuna, Director of External Affairs, and Homeboy Industries founder, Father Gregory Boyle<\/p><\/div>\n

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Homeboy Industries: The Tipping Point for Change<\/h1>\n

BY MELISSA WALKER<\/h5>\n
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Leaving the network of a gang and the financial security is not easy, but finding a way to make a more a commonplace lifestyle can be even harder with the burdens of gang markings, a criminal record, and lack of education and employment history.<\/p>\n

A Los Angeles nonprofit started by a Jesuit priest, Homeboy Industries<\/a><\/strong> provides this pathway to help former gang members rehabilitate by bringing a positive change to the lives of people of all ages with hope, support and training.<\/p>\n

Founded in 1988, by Father Gregory Boyle<\/a><\/strong>, previously incarcerated gang members, both men and women, are provided with comprehensive free services and a new life path from the groups headquarters in the gang neutral territory of Chinatown<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to Homeboy Industries a little over seven years ago, and I came for the same reason that brings many people here, I needed help,\u201d Jose Osuna<\/a>, Homeboy Industries Director of External Affairs told impactmania<\/em>. \u201cI was involved in the gang lifestyle for over 25 years of my life. When I finally decided to make a change, I had a friend that was already working here at this organization, and he told me that I should come and talk to Father Greg about a job. I had just got arrested for a drug offense, and it was real difficult for me to get back into the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Changing Lives<\/strong><\/p>\n

Homeboy Industries comprehensive services are designed to provide over 10,000 community clients and trainees with an opportunity to turn their lives around to become more productive members of the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy number one impact maker is so easy to answer \u2013 it\u2019s Father Gregory Boyle,\u201d Osuna exclaimed. \u201cHere\u2019s a man that has loved me unconditionally, extended a hand to me when nobody else would, and didn\u2019t want anything in return for that, simply wanted to see me succeed and be the best Jose that I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n