A distinctive feature of Homeboy Industries is its small businesses, where the most difficult to place individuals are hired in transitional jobs, thus giving them a safe, supportive environment in which to learn both concrete and soft job skills, while simultaneously building their resume and work experience.

Former rivals find themselves working side-by- side, finding true community and friendship in place of the limited community of gang life.

Homeboy’s businesses now include:

However, at its heart, the true business of Homeboy Industries is not business -- it is the fostering of a community of kinship, “gang rehab,” a therapeutic place where former gang members, recently released, at-risk, and those cast aside are given what they need to return to society, whole, healed and resilient. The "bottom line" for Homeboy is to infuse hope in those for whom hope is foreign. And hope is a job.