Past Events

Hundreds of attendees paid tribute to Founder Fr. Greg Boyle as Homeboy Industries honored one of their own at the Sixth Annual Lo Maximo Dinner. Dignitaries and VIPs also recognized Homeboy Hero and former gang member Herbert Corleto and David Adams, who spearheaded construction of Homeboy’s new $8.5 million headquarters.

Dignitaries and VIPs also recognized Homeboy Hero and former gang member Herbert Corleto and David Adams, who spearheaded construction of Homeboy’s new $8.5 million headquarters

(May 14, 2008) – LOS ANGELES – Homeboy Industries – renowned for helping thousands of former gang members and at-risk youth – honored one of its own at its sixth annual Lo Maximo event, which was held on Saturday, May 10. Fr. Greg Boyle, who founded Homeboy as a simple jobs program within Delores Mission parish in 1988, was recognized by the organization and the evening’s more than 500 attendees for his ongoing dedication to changing the lives of countless young people throughout Los Angeles.

“Fr. Greg has served as the rock of Homeboy and he has made a significant difference in the lives of thousands of people along the way,” said Michael Hennigan, president of the Board of Directors for Homeboy Industries. “Noting it’s the twentieth anniversary of the organization, it’s only fitting that we recognize him for his unwavering dedication to every person that walks through Homeboy’s doors and the impact he has made.”

Beyond serving as an inspiration for everyone associated with Homeboy, Boyle is also an acknowledged expert on gangs and intervention, as well as a nationally-renowned speaker and consultant.

Lo Maximo – hosted by Martin Sheen and Tony Plana – also recognized David Adams of Marcus Adams Capital, LLC for his efforts to make the organization’s new $8.5 million headquarters a reality. The Fran and Ray Stark Center is now home to the organization’s workplace training and placement program, as well as support services based on education, training, financial responsibility and personal development. The Center also houses tattoo removal services and several nonprofit economic development enterprises, including Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy/Homegirl Merchandise and the Homegirl Café.

At the event, Homeboy Industries also honored Herbert Corleto as its Homeboy Hero. A former gang member, Corleto has since gone on to a successful career at the engineering firm CH2M Hill and has spoken about gang intervention programs at the White House.

“The Homeboys and Homegirls are the true lifeblood of this organization,” said Fr. Boyle. “Each and every one of them is committed to making a difference in their own lives and in the lives of those around them. It is an honor for me to be able to recognize their efforts and their success.”

Also at the event were attorney Gloria Allred, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Ed Reyes, Tom LaBonge and Wendy Greuel, who were joined by hundreds of dignitaries and supporters at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, where they dined on food from Patina Catering and kicked off Homeboy’s twentieth anniversary year.

Homeboy Industries’ Mission
Homeboy Industries assists at-risk and former gang involved youth to become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Free programs – including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement – enable young people to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures. For 20 years, Homeboy Industries has offered unconditional community in the face of the conditional community of gangs, and has offered the possibility of a future among young people often suffering from a lethal absence of hope. A symbol of pride in a region recognized as having the largest and most complex gang problem in the country, Homeboy has successfully developed innovative programs and business ventures that have given at-risk youth and former gang members the ability to build their own future, right in the heart of the city. In addition, Homeboy has an early intervention program – Work is Noble (WIN) – to serve at-risk youth ages 14-18, providing them with entry-level employment opportunities and diverting them from gang activity.

To date, Homeboy Industries has served members of more than half of the 1,100 known gangs in Los Angeles County.

More information is available at www.homeboy-industries.org.