“Look before you leap. But leap.”
Over the years, the Fika team has been deeply inspired by Father Greg Boyle, founder of Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries, and his work in building the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. Since its founding in 1988, Homeboy Industries have taken a unique and compassionate approach to serving under-served members of the community, with a model that has expanded globally since its founding in 1988. In this conversation with Fika Ventures Partner John Chen, Father Boyle talks about seizing opportunities where you can find them, insisting on asking incisive questions to effect change, and centering others — not oneself — at the heart of service.
About Homeboy Industries and Father Greg Boyle
Homeboy Industries was founded in East Los Angeles in 1988, and has grown and expanded into a network with global reach. Today, the organization serves thousands of community clients with its employment and re-entry programs, substance abuse resources, and tattoo removal programs. While Los Angeles locals may be familiar with Homeboy Electronics Recycling and Homegirl Cafe, the organization has served as a blueprint for over 400 organizations around the world, through the Global Homeboy Network.
