Homeboy Industries Receives $15 Million in Funding to Support Training and Reentry Program

Homeboy Industries has received $15 million in funding from the State of California’s 2021-2022 budget to further develop its workforce training and reentry program in partnership with the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).   For more than 33 years, Homeboy Industries has provided comprehensive wrap around services, job training and quality jobs to formerly incarcerated and gang impacted individuals, allowing them to redirect their lives to become contributing members of society.   “We are grateful for our partnerships and the long-time support of Assemblywoman Wendy Carillo, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, Senator Maria Elena Durazo and Governor Gavin Newsom. We know that together – the transformational power of healing, workforce development and job training are the keys to eliminating many of the reentry barriers faced by formerly incarcerated Californians,” said Father Greg Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries.   The funding will be allocated over a multi-year period and is part of a partnership with the State of California that will support the expansion of employment opportunities within Homeboy Industries’ social enterprise businesses and through career placement opportunities.   “Our state budget is a statement of our values – a promise to all Californians affirming tangible relief, protections, and investments in our future. Boldly building back better means prioritizing equity and transformation. Homeboy Industries is the perfect example of a partner uplifting both community resilience and individual agency. Everyone deserves dignity, but without support and second chances, there are few paths to opportunity, wellbeing, and stability for all. Homeboy helps people get better jobs, live fuller lives, and make their families and communities stronger. An investment in this organization and the people it serves is money well spent,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (AD-51, Los Angeles).   The workforce development program will address the issues affecting marginalized people magnified even more so during the pandemic by the challenges of affordable and stable housing, the digital divide, food insecurity, and access to employment.    “The State of California has invested in Homeboy Industries and our 33-year proven model of working with the most marginalized among us,” said Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries. “What we know is that formerly incarcerated individuals who engage in workforce development programs and receive therapeutic services in a community of kinship, are much less likely to reoffend and much more likely to maintain long-term employment. We look forward to this partnership to expand our workforce development initiatives and stand with marginalized communities.”