Homeboy Industries to Expand Services near Men’s Central Jail with $10 Million Pledge
LOS ANGELES – Homeboy Industries, the renowned gang rehabilitation program founded by Father Greg Boyle, announced plans today to significantly expand its campus near the Men’s Central Jail with a $10 million commitment from developer Rick J. Caruso adn his firm, Caruso. The expansion, dubbed the Fr. Gregory Boyle Center for Radical Kinship, will bolster the institution’s capacity to serve individuals transitioning away from gang life and incarceration.
The project will include a new 5,000-square-foot space for the Homeboy Art Academy, allowing the program to reach hundreds more participants with creative expression opportunities. This expansion builds upon Homeboy’s existing 14 social enterprises – including food service, dog grooming, and electronic recycling – which provide job training and skills growth for individuals completing the organization’s 18-month program.
homeboy Industries has long been a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ efforts to address gang violence and provide a pathway to prospect for formerly incarcerated individuals.Founded in 1988, the organization offers a comprehensive suite of services, including tattoo removal, mental health counseling, job placement, and educational support. The expansion aims to create a concentrated hub of philanthropic services in the neighborhood, complementing existing resources like the Weingart Center’s temporary housing and a planned affordable housing and medical complex from the California Endowment.
“We need to get back to treating people as people with dignity, respect and provide opportunities,” said Rick J. Caruso, whose firm will also provide real estate expertise for the project. “Economic development helps because it brings jobs and vitality, but it’s really about caring for people.”
Father Greg Boyle emphasized that trainees work in all 14 social enterprises during their 18-month program, acquiring skills before being placed in jobs outside of Homeboy. The expansion was publicly marked on May 17, 2024, with a ceremony at City Hall recognizing Father Greg Boyle Day in Los angeles.
The planned development will utilize a vacant lot behind a fence near the existing Homeboy Industries facility along Alameda Street. McCourt described his pledge as intended to “prime the pump” to get the expansion underway. He noted his Jesuit education at Georgetown University informed his support for Boyle’s approach to addressing the “dehumanization” experienced by those impacted by incarceration and gang involvement.
