Admired by all, Homeboy leader Father Boyle gets Presidential Medal of Freedom

Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries — the largest gang intervention and re-entry program in the world — was honored by President Joe Biden with the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on Friday, May 3.

Officials at Homeboys Industries said in a statement that Father Greg, as he is widely known, “exemplifies the transformative power of compassion, forgiveness, and second chances. For nearly forty years, Father Greg has empowered hundreds of thousands of individuals to break free from the cycles of poverty, violence, and incarceration.”

The nonprofit uses its $40 million budget to provide services and support to 10,000 people annually.

Other Medal of Freedom recipients on May 3 included philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, former U.S. President Al Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Katie Ledeck.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 03: U.S. President Joe Biden congratulates Jesuit Catholic priest Fr. Greg Boyle before awarding him the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on May 3, 2024 in Washington, DC. President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, to 19 individuals including political leaders, civil rights icons and other influential cultural icons. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Father Greg Boyle, left, with Dodger legend and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela and Maria Arias of Bank of America with a giant check from the Dodgers at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Stefanie Rios takes selfie with Father Greg Boyle during a Taco Tuesday event at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Homeboy Industries founder Father Greg Boyle attends the Homeboy 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

First lady Jill Biden, center, tours Homeboy Bakery as she is joined by Los Angeles County supervisor Hilda Solis, right, and Father Greg Boyle, second from right, in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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In 1988 as pastor at Dolores Mission Church, the most impoverished Catholic parish in L.A., Boyle sought to give a second chance to ex-gang members and former prisoners. And then after the 1992 L.A. riots, Boyle and others set up Homeboy Bakery where former prisoners and former gang members learned skills and got the chance to make changes in their lives. According to Homeboys Industries, “36 years later, that first social enterprise business has evolved into 13 social enterprises.”

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