In Los Angeles, where gang affliated crimes and criminals are "over-populated", there seems to be a new hope of light amongst the dark corners of the streets. A corporation like Homeboy Industries has started 12 years ago in a converted warehouse(Homeboy Silkscreen). It made T-shirts just like any other competitors in the same industry. However, the only distinct difference was that the company hired ex-gang members as its employees. While skepticism may arise, the company had revenue of $1.1 million last year to help offset the company's expenditures.
Homeboy Bakery, another branch of Homeboy Industry, has a new plant that has $3 million in ovens and machineries. The manager of Homeboy Bakery, Alvaro Ocegueda, supervises 25 gang members who have become bakers under his guidance and special training at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (2-year community college). He hopes to produce millions of dollars in revenue throughout the next three or four years. Homegirl Cafe also made $220,000 within five months by serving breakfast and lunch six days a week. This successful revenue is credited to Patricia Zarate (cook and manager), along with 27 girls who were gang affiliated. Homeboy Maintenance makes about $6000 a month, while as Homeboy retail store sold $25,000 in Homeboy shirts and caps in a recent three-month period.
Although the Homeboy Industry may seem like a potential conglomerate, it is a nonprofit charitable corporation that last year had a budget of $5 million and goals that emphasize rehabilitation over revenue. Rev. Gregory Boyle (executive director), who is a Jesuit priest have found this organization two decades ago in East Los Angeles, emphasized that rehabilitation for gang members is the primary goal for Homeboy Industry. It is not simply about seeking a talent and hiring of the employees but rather, this company helps by providing mental therapy to gang members, housing assistance, job development counseling and tatto removal treatments. In conclusion, core purpose of this corporation is not about money but a second chance to those who have side-tracked and showing them the possibilities of their potentiality. What amount of digits in total revenue can match up to a man born again in the light?
-20300742 (#3 entry)
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