JamieOliver.com

How long have you worked for Homeboy Industries?
Two years since it opened in its new location. I previously worked at Dolores Mission — the parish that Homeboy Industries developed out of.

Have you always been into cooking?
I have always been into cooking and love fresh organic food. I cook quite a bit at home, but in the cafe my role is café management. I got to know our head chef, Patricia Zarate, while working at Dolores Mission and continue to be amazed by her culinary talent. She is from Mexico and blends traditional and contemporary flavors with fresh, healthy ingredients.

What is your role?
I am the Café manager.

Can you tell me a little bit about the history of Homeboy?
Homeboy developed as a job training facility in the 80’s in response to the heavy gang activity in East Los Angeles. Developed by Father Greg Boyle, pastor at Dolores Mission at the time, the organisation provided an alternative to gang life and the viscous cycle of poverty. The original bakery burned down in 1998 and Homeboy has been working to develop funds and rebuild the business over the past decade. The new Homeboy Headquarters opened two years ago in its current location with a bakery, full service café, retail store and a tattoo removal services. We also have a silkscreen business in another location.

How do you find your students?
All hiring is done through Homeboy Industries headquarters and most come from Father Greg’s visits to juvenile halls and prisons. We have onsite job developers that will help clients find outside work depending on their circumstances. If on parole or probation, the client will most likely be employed in the café, bakery or Homeboy offices until they are ready to seek outside employment.

What is it aside from cooking or learning a skill that makes them stay with you?
In addition to job training, Homeboy offers a variety of services and state mandated parole classes including parenting classes, substance abuse support, financial planning, general education, healing circles, therapy and case management. Additionally, Homeboy offers opportunities for growth through art classes, computer training and yoga.

Are you saddened if any of them return to their former lives as gang members?
It is disappointing when they are pulled back to gang activity, however, it is often temporary and symptomatic of other issues in their life. It is a big and challenging step for them to be at Homeboy every day making the choice to redirect their lives. We sometimes see that individuals are not ready to make this commitment, but after resuming the gang life return to us knowing they want to stay out of trouble and do things the right way. We are there for those that want the help and are hopeful they will eventually reach this decision on their own.

What are some of your fondest stories having worked for Homeboy Industries?
We see successes every day. Women in the café overcome addiction, get their children back after years of separation, go back to school, move on to new jobs, take leadership roles in the café and develop the skills to train new girls. One of my employees Stephanie Lane, a 6th grade student at Dolores Mission when I worked there, turned up at the café a 19 year old with a prison record and gun wounds—after several months at Homeboy she has enrolled in school, taken interest in gardening, given inspiration talks at high schools in Los Angeles and New York and, after sharing her story with the “Martina Cole Girls in Gangs: London Show”. She has been invited to go to London to give a talk and participate in a work study program in September. Another young girl, Ana Espinoza, is making efforts to redirect her life from a past of prison and drug abuse. She recently completed the UC Master Gardener program and has been instrumental in establishing our Homegirl Café organic garden. Currently her and I are working to establish a Homeboy farm to get more locally grown, organic ingredients into our café.

Did you know that Jamie started a very similar social enterprise in London called Fifteen Foundation?
Jamie mentioned it when he was here and I am very interested in learning more about how it operates. Jamie spoke about some of the challenges when he was here and, being fairly new with our larger businesses, I think we could learn a lot from all Fifteen has accomplished.

What did you think of the food that Jamie cooked when he was with you?
Jamie’s food was amazing!! The salad and dressing he made at the café were amazing and favorites among everyone. He also stayed at my house so his team left us with some of the most wonderful meals I have ever tasted. Absolutely delicious!

What are the future plans for Homeboy?
Expansion to other cities may be in the long-term plans, but given the current economy and restrictions in government funding our current effort is in organizing and expanding our businesses. The bakery has secured several wholesale bread contracts and the café will soon have retail salsas, pesto, sauces and dressings in Ralphs Market and Whole Foods Market. The café also just opened for dinner.

About the author: Danny McCubbin is the website editor for JamieOliver.com