Homeboy Industries is one of our most favorite organizations on the planet. We love Father Greg Boyle and have had the honor to have known him for almost 24 years. Father ‘G’ is the most compassionate, giving and kind human being we have ever met. Greg’s dedication to transforming the pain of formerly gang involved and incarcerated men and woman has broken the cycle for over tens of thousands of people that otherwise may not have had the opportunity to turn their lives around or to have a safe place to make lasting and positive change.
So last Saturday Lavender and Canvas packed out at dawn and set up a booth at Homeboy's Annual 5K run in downtown Los Angeles so that we could dedicate our day and our products in support of an organization not only that we love but one that we feel is creating deep and glorious change for all of those that are touched by their work and words. including of course, ourselves.We hope that if you are in Los Angeles you will stop in at Homeboy and see the incredible work they do for yourself - and of course if you are there make sure to eat at the incredible Homegirl Café, grab some yummilicious loaves and pastries from Homeboy Bakery and experience all of the feelings of joy and kinship that Homeboy and all of their programs have to offer.
And we strongly and highly recommend Father Greg’s Book Tattoos on the Heart: the Power of Boundless Compassion - this book will make you laugh with your head back and your mouth open and also weep with the understanding, through story how marginalized some people have been made to feel.
We are blessed to know Father Greg Boyle and always hop at the chance to introduce him to someone new!
More about Homeboy Industries:
"Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. Each year over 10,000 former gang members from across Los Angeles come through Homeboy Industries’ doors in an effort to make a positive change. They are welcomed into a community of mutual kinship, love, and a wide variety of services ranging from tattoo removal to anger management and parenting classes. Full-time employment is offered for more than 200 men and women at a time through an 18-month program that helps them re-identify who they are in the world, offers job training so they can move on from Homeboy Industries and become contributing members of the community - knowing they count!"