L.A. County Funds Help Homeboy Industries Continue Gang-Intervention Programs

Homeboy Industries received $1.3 million from the Los Angeles County supervisors on Sept. 14 to help provide jobs and free services for at-risk youth and recently imprisoned adults whom the nonprofit continued to serve despite a $2.5-million shortage, or 25 percent drop, in annual donations.

Homeboy Industries Lobby

“We’re being recognized for the importance of our work in the community,” said Gervaise Adams, who began working for Homeboy Industries four months ago. “Without Homeboy Industries there wouldn’t be a home for the troubled.”

Adams turned to the organization for support after 12 years of gang involvement. He said he has taken computer literacy and creative writing classes to develop his job skills.

“They’ve given me confidence to communicate,” he said. “Any time you’re seeking a job confidence is key.”

Homeboy Industries serves 12 million people annually with approximately $10 million in free services like job training and tattoo removal, according to Homeboy employee Ray Moreno.

Homeboy Employee Ray Moreno

The services and programs are funded by revenue from its silk-screening, bakery and café businesses and its founder’s book sales, along with donations and county tax money.

Because of its current budget shortfall, Homeboy Industries temporarily cut $2 million from its general operating budget, according to its chief operating officer, Veronica Vargas.

Supervisor Gloria Molina, the county representative for the downtown area where the nonprofit is located, voted in favor of funding a pilot program with Homeboy Industries.

“It was the right thing to do,” said her press deputy, Roxane Marquez. “It was not just a worthy cause, but it was essentially a partnership that could take place.”

Homeboy Bakery

The funding will cover 20 job trainee positions and services like counseling and job placement for 665 people through June 2011, according to the contract between Homeboy Industries and the Board of Supervisors.

“We absolutely welcome and need the partnership,” Vargas wrote in an e-mail. “It will allow us to keep our doors open so we can continue to provide rehabilitative wrap-around services and job training.”

To Moreno, the county funding falls short of demand for Homeboy services.

“I’m not going to say $1.3 million is not a lot—in all reality it isn’t,” he said. “It will last two months and two weeks, maybe less.”

Homegirl Café

Lucky for Homeboy Industries, $3.5 million in donations have been made since the organization was forced to lay off more than 300 employees in May, enabling a third to be rehired.

“Now that the donations are coming in we can help people,” said longtime Homeboy employee Carlos Reza. “We’re here to give them that opportunity. They can lean on us.”

Reza had joined a gang when Homeboy Industries opened its doors 22 years ago as Jobs For A Future. When he got out of jail two years ago he started a different path.

“It’s hard to let go of that gang life,” he said. “I thank God he gave me the willpower.”

To him, the county funding is “a blessing.”

“This is a stepping stone to get back to the community, to help the community and redirect people’s lives,” Reza said. “I’m here for a reason: It’s to give back to the community.”

Job Development Meeting

At Homeboy Industries, former enemies have learned to put aside their differences and work together as “brothers,” he said. “It’s like a healing place.”

Although initially unsure about the effectiveness of the approach Homeboy Industries founder Fr. Gregory Boyle took to reduce gang violence in Los Angeles, Molina has come to support it, Marquez said.

“Homeboy Industries does good work,” she said.

For many, it was Boyle who made all the difference.

“He sees the compassion and he sees the hurt in you,” Moreno said.

By joining the staff at Homeboy Industries, Moreno has put behind his life of heavy crime, drugs and gang involvement and joined a family full of people who have done the same.

Moreno now works as a domestic violence counselor.

“I don’t get paid much,” he said. “The satisfaction of having a job is enough.”

Keepin' It Classy!

A fall fashion faux pas that drives me nuts--wearing leggings as pants! Please ladies, they aren't interchangeable. Plus, they're really unflattering...

So here's some trendy tips for my fashionistas out there:
-hot colors of the season: deep purple, olive green and gray
-jackets, scarves, boots and patterned tights are always good for mixing it up
-and don't forget to sparkle... whether it be fun makeup, glam accessories or bejeweled shoes!

Role models are great to have for life and for fashion. I look to Eleanor Roosevelt for inspiration in my life and my mother for advice. One of my best friends considers her grandmother her role model. Hear what she has to say about her.

Fashion icons are fun too! I look to my friends in the USC Helenes for fun fashion tips and advice. My gals know where it's at!

Blossoming Rosebuds: The Future of the USC Helenes Looks Bright

When I joined the oldest women’s service organization at USC, the Helenes, I had just started my first semester of college. Through Helenes, I have grown as a person, given back to my community and developed friends that I can count on. 

As part of a biannual tradition, the Helenes welcome a new class of ladies known as “rosebuds” into our organization every semester. 

Two years ago, I missed my own chance to be officially welcomed into the sisterhood of service. Since then, I have witnessed four more classes of remarkable young woman partake in the eye-opening and illuminating experience of joining a selfless organization.

On Thursday evening, when the Helenes ushered in 25 new members, I captured some of the magic—faces lit up with joy as we celebrated another milestone in the nearly 90 years of our sisterhood.

Our grand welcome took place in the courtyard of the Mudd Hall of Philosophy, when the stars above were reflected in the candles each member held and in the sparkle in their eyes. The incoming class was announced and given roses, the symbol of our sisterhood.

In unison, everyone read the Helenes creed, vowing to serve proudly, generously and thoughtfully. Our garden of goodwill is sure to grow with budding roses and nurture the elderly, the homeless and the children with disabilities to whom we dedicate our time, our efforts and our hearts.

An Influential Grandma, A True Role Model

Make sure to listen to Maria's heartfelt story about her grandmother, or "yiayia" as she fondly calls her. You can also catch the full interview here.

Sparkle: How to Feel like a Greek God or Goddess

I’m Greek every day, all year long, but if you’d like to immerse yourself in the Greek culture for a day or even a weekend without paying for a flight to Athens or Santorini, going to a Greek festival is the perfect place to try out homemade delicacies and learn some traditional Greek dance moves to the beat of live music.

Why is this notable?

It’s a great alternative to taking a trip abroad and it’s a chance to have all the gyros and loukemathes, the sweet honey-covered fried dough balls, you can eat! I’m looking forward to the food and fun myself!

You should definitely check it out—The L.A. Greek Fest runs this Friday night through Sunday at St. Sophia Cathedral on the corner of Pico and Normandie in the heart of the Byzantine-Latino Quarter in Downtown L.A.

This event has seen celebs like Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the past. That just goes to show you never know who you might run into on the dance floor!