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Homeboy Industries Records

 Collection
Identifier: CSRC-0024

Scope and Content

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1954 - 2019

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials in English and Spanish.

Access

Open for research.

Publication Rights

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.

Biography

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.

Extent

27 linear feet (40 boxes; 2 record storage cartons; 2 flat boxes; 4 oversize flat boxes; 4 mixed media boxes; 1 shoe box)

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.

Arrangement

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
  • 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.

    Acquisition Information

    Deed of gift from Homeboy Indsutries on file with the CSRC Archive office.

    Processing Information

    Processing begun by CSRC staff in 2015. Finding aid edited and processing completed by Doug Johnson, 2018. Additions processed by Doug Johnson in 2019.

    Title
    Finding Aid for the Homeboy Industries Records, 1954-2019
    Author
    Processed by CSRC.
    Date
    2015
    Description rules
    Describing Archives: A Content Standard
    Language of description
    English
    Script of description
    Latin

    Repository Details

    Part of the Chicano Studies Research Center Library Repository

    Contact:
    144 Haines Hall
    Box 951544
    Los Angeles California 90095-1544 United States
    (310) 206-6052
    (310) 206-1784 (Fax)