We were honored to have hosted Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, this week. This organization is based in Los Angeles and is the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and reintegration program for youth in gangs. Father Greg shared many stories of resilience, gave advice, and broke bread with our staff and other partners.
Father Greg’s work has had a positive impact on thousands of young people and demonstrates that love and compassion contribute to a better world. “Since God thought of the creation of the world, he always had in mind the love of neighbor and good harmony among human beings, and that is what we are betting on with our work,” said Father Greg.
Father Greg emphasized that among his priorities is to prioritize the healing of individuals to then turn them into beings who love peace.
We were able to learn even more during a Q&A panel discussion. Matt DeMatteo, CEO of New Life Centers facilitated a panel featuring incredible leaders: Dominique McCord from Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, Benny Estrada from New Life Centers, Jalon Arthur from Chicago CRED, Esther Franco-Payne from the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, and Father Greg Boyle from Homeboy Industries. Together, they shared valuable lessons and strategies to make our communities safer and more peaceful.
The focus of this panel was Community Violence Intervention (CVI), exploring the challenges and opportunities we face in achieving a peace-loving and harmonious city. Each panelist had the opportunity to share life lessons and key strategies to make our communities safer and more peaceful.
Saving lives is a demanding but necessary task. Everyone can help make a difference. Marginalized people can also perform extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion.
