"Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries, will deliver the Annual Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C. Lecture entitled “Joy & Hope in the Hood” at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 (Tues.) in Room 101, DeBartolo Hall on the University of Notre Dame campus. “Joy & Hope” is the theme for the Center for Social Concerns for the 2014–15 academic year in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vatican II document, Gaudium et Spes, regarded as one of the most significant documents of Catholic social teaching in the twentieth century. This event is free and open to the public.

Homeboy Industries traces its roots to “Jobs for the Future” (JFF), a program created in 1988 by Father Greg at Dolores Mission parish in Los Angeles, California. In an effort to address the escalating problems and unmet needs of gang-involved youth, Father Greg and the community developed positive alternatives, including establishing an elementary school, a day care program and finding legitimate employment for young people. JFF’s success demonstrated the model followed today that many gang members are eager to leave the dangerous and destructive life on the streets.

In 1992, as a response to the civil unrest in Los Angeles, Father Greg launched Homeboy Bakery, the first business with a mission to create an environment that provided training, work experience, and above all, the opportunity for rival gang members to work side by side. The success of the Bakery created the groundwork for additional businesses, thus prompting JFF to become an independent non-profit organization, Homeboy Industries, in 2001. Today Homeboy Industries’ nonprofit economic development enterprises include Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Silkscreen, Homeboy/Homegirl Merchandise, and Homegirl Café."

To read more, please look to the Center for Social Concerns.