Homeboy Industries is an organization dedicated to rebuilding ex-gang members back into society as full-fledged citizens. In 1988, Greg Boyle took a comprehensive and revolutionary approach to rehabilitate ex-criminals (About us, n.d.). His strategy fundamentally contradicted federal and state policies of mass incarceration (About us, n.d.). Every component and department of Homeboy Industries has been designed to address the organization’s motto, which states that “nothing stops a bullet like a job” (APB Speakers, 2018). They do this by helping ex-criminals solve their personal, mental, and social problems and develop the necessary professional skills.
Stopping the Bullet and Offering a Job
There is a variety of services and classes in Homeboy Industries that can be divided into two categories. Some of them stop the bullet while others offer jobs, figuratively speaking. The first category includes tattoo removal, mental health, domestic violence, legal services and anger management, leadership, substance abuse, and parenting classes (Homeboy Industries, 2018). They help those ex-criminals who want to start a new life by providing mental care and legal support.
Solving the problems of the past is not enough for a person to be fully rehabilitated into society; they need to be shown that they will have long-lasting success in the future. It is the reason why Homeboy Industries also has various training programs and education services. These include art academy, workforce development, solar panel training, case management, and job resource (Homeboy Industries, 2018). By offering a wide range of training options, Greg Boil makes sure that all of his homeboys and homegirls will benefit the community. It is worth noting that his organization also provides jobs for ex-offenders. I believe that religious services and classes would also contribute to the Homeboy Industries cause.
References
About us. (n.d.). Homeboy Industries. Web.
APB Speakers. (2018). Nothing stops a bullet like a job – Gregory Boyle [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Homeboy Industries. (2018). Healing trauma: Beyond gangs & prisons [Video]. YouTube. Web.