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Homeboy Industries’ annual graduation ceremony took place on Tuesday, celebrating the achievements of their academics and recognizing the stories of alumni’s hopes, healing and transformation.
This year, the nonprofit is looking at the largest number of graduates awarded associates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees at East Los Angeles College, California, Long Beach, UCL, UCLA and USC.
Several graduates received their high school diplomas through Learning Work Charter High School and Twilight Adult School.
This year’s alumni include current participants or alumni of Homeboy Industries’ 18-month training program, current staff and community members.
“You welcomed me when I needed healing. You gave me purpose when I needed direction and helped me to stand up when I thought I had gone too far,” the alumni said at a ceremony in Chinatown. “We are proud to be able to express what changes will look like through our second chance.”
The nonprofit aims to support former gang members or previously incarcerated adults and young people, using the academic services and relationships offered to get a second chance in life.
“Thirty-seven years ago, gang member alumni weren’t a kind of adventurous, but we’ve made progress. And now, this is exactly what you’ve done,” said Rev. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, on the stage before the 109 alumni.
Since its founding in 1988, Homeboy Industries has received $40 million in funding and donations, and welcomes 10,000 people each year to support 10,000 visitors who want to become the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program and build connections with their communities through their non-profit programs.
“It’s a place where people try to imagine their future, and then they pursue that path,” Boyle said.
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