Youth Expert Speaks in Detroit

Father Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest and founder of the Los-Angeles-based nonprofit agency Homeboy Industries, spoke on Thursday in Detroit about his experiences helping gang members re-enter the workforce and find healthy lives.

Gangs are not a crime issue, he said, so much as one of poor community health. “Homies are hurting,” and “we need humility,” to help them find their way.

Father Boyle’s organization has, for more than two decades, developed social enterprises where gang members and parolees find work. Of one of his enterprises, a bakery, he said, “We don’t employ homies to bake bread, we bake bread to employ homies.”

In addition to employment supports, Homeboy Industries provides an holistic array of wraparound services and supports to its clients. The agency provides therapy, parenting classes, tattoo removal, legal services, and many other supports, Boyle said.

Father Boyle encouraged the audience of nonprofit and community leaders to initiate small changes in the community today, and work hard to build services and supports that help realize the promise of a big impact tomorrow. “Everyone in this room has the capability to make a difference,” he said.

This presentation was hosted by the University of Michigan’s Detroit Center. It was co-organized by the university and City Connect Detroit, with sponsorship from several university departments, The Skillman Foundation, the Consortium of Hispanic Agencies, and others.

In addition to his presentation at the U of M Detroit Center, Father Boyle also spoke at the University of Detroit and at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, during his time in the area.

For more information about this event, please contact City Connect Detroit Program Officer David Cherry at 313-879-1468 or by email at david@cityconnectdetroit.org.