The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced today that tickets for TWIST - An American Musical, will be sponsored to host the clients and staff from Homeboy Industries at tonight's performance. As a part of The Pasadena Playhouse's outreach efforts, Homeboy Industries will also be offering their products for sale and providing information about the services and programs they provide.
Homeboy Industries is the living example of "nothing stops a bullet like a job." Homeboy Industries assists at-risk, formerly gang-involved youth and the recently incarcerated to become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Their free programs - including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and placement - enable young men and women to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures.Begun in 1988 as a simple jobs program within Dolores Mission parish, Homeboy Industries has become a national model for successful gang intervention, a place where former gang members have a second chance at life, and for too many, a truly first chance. Homeboy Industries has had a tremendous impact not only on Los Angeles' gang problem, but also on the very perception of gangs and gang intervention. Gang affiliations are left outside as rival gang members work shoulder to shoulder learning the mutual respect that comes from shared tasks and challenges. Homeboys Industries' businesses include: Homeboy Bakery, Homegirl Café & Catering, Homeboy/Homegirl Merchandise, Homeboy Silkscreen & Embroidery, Homeboy Farmer's Markets and the newly launched Homeboy Diner which has opened within Los Angeles City Hall last week. However, at its heart, the true business of Homeboy Industries is not business -- it is the fostering of a community of kinship, "gang rehab", a therapeutic place where former gang members, recently released, at-risk, and those cast aside are given what they need to return to society, whole, healed and resilient. The "bottom line" for Homeboy is to infuse hope in those for whom hope is foreign. And hope is a job.
"TWIST is all about overcoming challenges with the support of community, and thriving by ingenuity, hard work, and tenacity," stated Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. "Given that, it is so fitting that The Playhouse has the honor of hosting this group of people whose work is so completely tied to the themes and messages of this show. Our theatre is also about the tremendous advantages of building communities through our work on the stage and through education. It is a great honor to share those goals with Homeboy Industries and to celebrate our common desires."
"We are grateful for this partnership with The Pasadena Playhouse," Homeboy Industries founder Father Greg Boyle. "Our Homeboy community is always eager to participate and have experiences like seeing TWIST. It is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy a fun evening and find out more about the arts and what is available in Los Angeles."Videos