by Charma Kern (Board Member at Wear Gloves)

Did I know what Homeboy Industries was? Nope, never heard of them. Did I know what the Global Network was? Absolutely not. But I was excited to spend time with my Wear Gloves friends, see a new part of the world and possibly learn a few things to bring back home in regards to homelessness.

Did I know I would be changed? How was I changed? Well let me tell you.

Homeboy Industries is the largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program in the world. It has allowed formerly involved and previously incarcerated people to redirect their lives and become contributing members of the community. In Los Angeles alone there are 1,100 gangs with over 120,000 gang members. Who knew??? Definitely not me???

I cried buckets of tears as I listened to men and women, all ages and nationalities trapped in the lives of gangs. Their Moms and Dads were gang members. Their brothers and sisters were gang members. Their zip code determined which gang they would join without a thought of another direction for their lives. Some were in prison for years and years and years? They went to prison as children and came out without a dime or a plan for the rest of their lives.

Father Greg Boyle, a missionary Catholic priest, began Homeboy Industries more than 30 years ago. He was assigned to the poorest church in East LA and from that assignment, he has led so many men and women to a life of freedom. He said "We imagine a world without prisons, and then we try and create that world." His words had me at the end of my seat every time he spoke. Funny. Sincere. Bold. Loving and Father G, as he is referred to, Adored. Never has anyone's words moved me so deeply.

Our trip to LA also included a drive through Skid Row. As I sat in the back passenger seat in the SUV, all I could do was stare. Stare at the atrocities that people live in. Stare at the many food kitchens and missions available to them. Stare at the tents and tents and more tents. Stare at the men and women sitting on the sidewalk outside of their makeshift home. Stare at the garbage........so much garbage. Stare at the man being resuscitated on the sidewalk. Never have I witnessed such a place. My friends sharing the car with me had a conversation during our ride. What are three words you would use to describe skid row?

1. overwhelming

2. sad

3. gross

and the last comment was "I was once homeless and my homelessness was like a country club compared to this."

Each morning at the Homeboy Global Network we would all meet in a large room together. The Homeboy staff and clients would greet us with all the upcoming activities and news. They announced birthdays every day and I will end my notes about my trip to LA with these words.......

"SO GLAD YOU WERE BORN."