Saving young men from murder: The Homeboy story
Oct 6, 2026 ยท 26m
Topics discussed
Sponsorship and introduction to the BBC World Service
Arrival at Homeboy Industries and its mission
Father Greg Boyle's background and the 'decade of death'
The taboo of helping gang members and police hostility
Ubaldo's story and the charity's growth
Despair and trauma as the root causes of gang joining
Anthony's experience and the paid rehabilitation program
Voluntary participation and handling incidents of violence
Sponsor break for Charles Schwab
Sponsor break and transition to tattoo removal
Tattoo removal as a symbol of rebirth
Miguel's story: from enforcer to security head
The role of therapy and confronting past violence
The importance of healing over mere employment
Dropout rates and comparison to recidivism
Legal services and expunging criminal records
The role of faith and human connection in the work
Funding challenges and measuring outcomes
Why help the 'demonized' and the concept of mutuality
Conclusion: Hope, resilience, and the limits of punishment
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