gangs

Greg Boyle's Success

by Jim Manney

Tattoos on the Heart, a new book by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, tells the story of the remarkable ministry that the famed “gang priest” has built in East LA.  His Homeboy Industries is one the most successful outreaches to LA gangs, but Boyle doesn’t look at success in conventional terms.  “I’m not opposed to success,” [...]

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Greg Boyle on Gangs

by Jim Manney

I’m a fan of Fr. Greg Boyle, the Jesuit who has done remarkable work rehabilitating members of gangs in Los Angeles. I’ve written about him here.  (More here and here.)   Last week he spoke at my alma mater, St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. Here is an interview he did with a local newspaper. [...]

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Emergency at Homeboy Industries

by Jim Manney

The recession and California’s budget woes have devastated Homeboy Industries, the acclaimed non-profit that serves former gang members in Los Angeles.  Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy, says that the organization has lost about 40 percent of its $9 million budget.  Donations have plummeted and the state and private companies have cancelled contracts because [...]

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The List 6.8.09: Homeboy Industries

by Jim Manney

The List is a weekly feature highlighting something remarkable, offbeat, or otherwise noteworthy from the world of the Jesuits and Ignatian spirituality. Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ has buried more than 140 of his young friends.  One of the toughest funerals was Chico’s.  After the funeral, he wrote, “I inform myself that I really must let [...]

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