Gregory Boyle
Gregory Boyle (b. 1954) is a Catholic priest, social activist, and founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. Known for his dedication to supporting marginalized individuals, especially former gang members, Boyle has spent decades working to foster hope and healing in the inner-city neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in a Catholic family, Boyle was inspired by his faith to pursue a vocation centered on serving others. He was ordained a priest in 1984 and, after working in various pastoral roles, he became the pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles in 1986, a community located in one of the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods. It was here that he witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence and felt called to do more.
In 1992, Boyle founded Homeboy Industries with the goal of providing job training, educational opportunities, and other resources to young people involved in gangs. The organization has since helped thousands of individuals turn their lives around by offering a supportive community, vocational training, and employment opportunities, including a bakery, a café, and a variety of social enterprises. Boyle’s work is grounded in the belief that every person, regardless of their past, is capable of transformation and deserves to be treated with dignity.
Boyle is also a prolific author, with his books, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, reflecting his deep compassion, experience with gang intervention, and unwavering faith. His work has earned him recognition as a leading advocate for social justice, and he continues to inspire others to serve with love, humility, and a commitment to breaking cycles of violence and despair.