G-DOG: The Movie

On Wednesday night I went to a screening of a new documentary on Father Greg Boyle and Homeboys services.  The movie was made by Freida Lee Mock, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker.  The screening was at the Aloud program at the Central Library.  This is where Mock first learned about Fr. Boyle and Homeboys three years ago.  At that time, Homeboys was going through a major financial crisis that resulted in layoffs of over 300 employees.  Mock immediately began working on the film and documented the crisis, the recovery, and the amazing work of Homeboys. 

Fr. Boyle began working with gang members while serving at the Delores Mission in the Boyle Heights section of East Los Angeles in 1986.  He is a Jesuit Priest who was raised in L.A.  He was doing funerals of gang members too often and discovered that you could stop a bullet with a job.  He founded Homeboys in 1988 and began adding programs including tutoring, education, counseling, tatoo removal, employment services, legal services, case management, mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence services.  He funding this through donations and by the Homeboy Industries which provides jobs and training for "Homies":  T Shirt screening, training solar panel installers, Homegirl Cafe and catering, Homeboy farmers markets, merchandise, bakery and selling Homegirl Chips and Salsas in grocery stores.  The main location is at 130 W Bruno, just North of Union Station.  They also have a store in City Hall and now at LAX airport.

I was once again greatly moved by Father Boyle's messages.  I've heard him talk a number of times, and I continue to be amazed by who he is and how he lives his life.  Some call him a "living saint."  I think they are right.  Here are some of the messages I heard last night:  "Stay anchored in the present moment...now is all we have.  Change the metaphore from tough on crime to smart on crime.  Before Homeboy Industries there was no off ramp on the freeway of gangs and crime.  I stand in awe of the poor on what they have to carry, not in judgement on how they carry it."  Regarding a picture of two homeboys arm and arm smiling:  "Two souls feeling their worth."

Freida Lee Mock, Father Gregory Boyle and a Homeboy

Also with Fr. Greg last night was Fabian "Spade" Debora a counselor at Homeboys and an amazing artist. As a former gang member and drug addict who now leads Homeboy's drug and alcohol abuse program, he talked about how his life has been turned around and how he is making sure that his five children grow up to a better life.  Below are paintings by Debora including one of Fr. Boyle, "my father, my teacher, my mentor, and my friend."