June 23, 2021 — Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest reentry organization for formerly incarcerated and gang involved individuals, has received a $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett. Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries, said, “For more than 33 years, Homeboy Industries has relied on the tremendous generosity of our family of supporters who share our mission to stand with those on the margins until the margins are erased. This incredible gift will enable us to serve as a beacon of hope and community of kinship for thousands upon thousands when our mission is more essential than ever.”
The transformative gift will be used to fund initiatives including establishing an operating reserve; developing supportive housing solutions for program participants; and creating more quality jobs through the expansion of its social enterprises—all of which are priorities for Homeboy Industries’ comprehensive capital campaign.
“We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive this extraordinary gift from game-changing philanthropists committed to the notion that there is no us and them, only us. We will use this gift to address critical housing needs and job creation in a post-pandemic world, while building enduring strength for years to come as we invest in the next generation of future Homeboy leaders,” said Thomas Vozzo, CEO of Homeboy Industries.
Following Homeboy Industries’ recognition as the 25th recipient of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 2020, the MacKenzie-Jewett gift supports Homeboy Industries global leadership as a paradigm for social justice and creating lasting change for those on the margins. Amidst renewed pursuit for alternatives to incarceration in L.A. County and beyond, this gift will enable Homeboy Industries to expand its transformative impact to reach more people.
“We are blessed to stand with MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett in pursuit of a more just world,” Fr. Boyle said.