Homeboy Industries Founder Speaks at Brophy

Father Greg Boyle SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries, spoke to students at Brophy College Preparatory during a community period on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Father Myles Kelley SJ and faculty member Drew Rau ’02 arranged the visit after learning of Father Boyle’s scheduled appearance at the Arizona Speaker Series.

“I sent Fr. Boyle an email, assuming he would have a full schedule, but less than an hour later he replied: ‘Name the time, and I’ll be there,'” Mr. Kelley said.

The event took place in the Blackbox Theater during the Club & Intramural Period. “Since his visit to Brophy was arranged so quickly, I was not sure how many students would hear about it or want to attend,” Mr. Kelley said. “But the Blackbox Theater was packed full of students, faculty, and staff.”

Mr. Kelley opened the event with a prayer written by Father Boyle, followed by an introduction from Mr. Bopp. In his address, Father Boyle shared stories from his 37 years of work with gang members in Los Angeles.

He spoke about founding Homeboy Industries in 1988 while serving as pastor of Dolores Mission Church, which was located between two housing projects. The organization began as a response to having eight rival gangs within his parish.

“We had to look at what was correct,” Father Boyle said, describing how the organization shifted its focus 15-20 years ago. “An unemployed gang member may or may not go back to prison, and an educated one may or may not. But it’s become our contention that a healed gang member will not re-offend, period.”

Today, Homeboy Industries serves 10,000 people annually through job training and support services. The organization operates 13 social enterprises, including restaurants, a bakery, and electronic recycling. Their 18-month training program includes therapy, tattoo removal, and access to a medical clinic staffed by volunteer doctors.

During his talk, Father Boyle shared several personal stories about program participants, including one about a former trainee named Mario who spoke at Gonzaga University. He also discussed the organization’s current work supporting Los Angeles during recent emergencies, with program participants distributing coffee and baked goods to firefighters.

The event concluded with Father Boyle taking questions from students and discussing what he described as “four things Jesus took seriously: inclusion, non-violence, unconditional loving kindness, and compassionate acceptance.”

In his closing remarks, Father Boyle emphasized the importance of standing at society’s margins. “Brophy is not the place you come to; it’s the place you go from,” he said. And you go from here to stand with the poor, the powerless, and the voiceless.”

Mr. Kelley reflected on the event’s significance: “Fr. Boyle has such a gift of communicating with his heartfelt and human stories. I hope all who came to hear him speak received some word they needed to hear.”

This article was written using AI. The reporter takes responsibility for the piece by gathering, editing, and verifying all included content.