Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today at a press conference, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) announced nearly $2 million in federal funding for Homeboy Industries. This funding will help the program hire formerly incarcerated individuals and enroll participants into culinary and hospitality career pathways. Homeboy Industries is a local non-profit youth rehabilitation program and the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the nation.

VIDEO & PHOTOS HERE

“I am proud to have secured this nearly $2 million for Homeboy Industries to expand their efforts to help formerly incarcerated individuals in Los Angeles gain culinary and hospitality skills, find a career, and rebuild their lives,” said Gomez. “Father Boyle and Homeboy Industries have given tens of thousands of Angelenos a second chance through their unique support system that has been proven to reduce recidivism and substance abuse, improve community connections and get people into permanent housing. We must continue to invest in and expand reentry programs that provide a second chance for our community members—this funding is a strong step in that direction.”

This funding is one of 15 community projects in California's 34th Congressional District that Rep. Gomez fought for in last year's annual federal funding legislation. It is in addition to the $4 million Homeboy Industries received last year from the American Rescue Plan as a result of Rep. Gomez's advocacy. 

“Homeboy Industries started over 35 years ago and our first social enterprise business was a modest bakery, where young men were offered a job and the opportunity to break generational cycles of violence and trauma in their lives,” said Father Gregory Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries. “Today, we have twelve social enterprises. We continue to welcome individuals through our doors because in many ways, the need to provide second chances, alternatives to incarceration, and safe places for people to heal has never been greater.  We know we have much more to do and are thankful to have Rep. Gomez support us in our mission providing hope, training and support to formerly incarcerated and gang involved people.”