Homegirl Story: Stephanie

 

I grew up in Aliso Village and I’ve known Father Greg ever since I was young.  I was in and out of trouble at a young age and I knew of Homeboy Industries.  I was in and out of the system and I started to use the resources at Homeboy Industries and Homegirl Café to change my life.  I started working for Homegirl Café in May of 2008.  I had come to Homeboy to get my juvenile record expunged and by the end of my visit, I had a job.   

Homeboy Industries changed my life in so many ways.  It gave me the opportunity to grow and understand myself and I learned how much I’m worth.  It opened many doors for me and gave me opportunities that I never imagined.  

Homegirl Café taught me patience and to never let my past define my future.  I learned to always ask questions and stay true to myself.  I will never forget my experience at Homeboy Industries.  

In August of this year, I started working at Brewster Parsons, a post-production company.  I am currently a  PA (Production Assistant) and I love my job.  I love the people I get to see every morning.  Everybody is so positive and happy to come to work.  No one judges me about my tattoos nor do they care about my past.  I love the environment that I’m in.  When I think about the future, I see myself growing with Brewster Parsons and becoming a producer.  I’m so grateful that I can finally think about the future instead of dwelling on my past.  

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visit to the huntington library and botanical gardens

Today, Richard, Becca (& her son Niko), Sarah, and Adela visited The Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens.  We are always looking for new ideas for our mini-farms and this is a pretty great place to find some inspiration!  If you live in Southern California we encourage you to check it out.  The only downside to the day was the 100 degree weather!  Sarah and Adela spend much of their time at Homegirl working in our mini-farms and harvesting the delicious fruits and veggies that we grow.  They loved the trip and can't wait to add more to our mini-farms!  We would also like you to notice Adela's perfectly ironed uniform.  This is the only way she will represent Homegirl in public (even during the heat.)  

a night under the stars

Join us for A Night Under the Stars on August 21st.  All proceeds benefit Homeboy Industries.
Tickets are available for sale through the website for $45 or for sale in the café for $30. 

photo of the day

We are so proud of our Lead Line Cook, Alisha.   Tomorrow will be her last day for 4 months as she will be starting an internship at Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills.  This is such an exciting opportunity for Alisha and we know she is going to learn so much.  We will keep you updated on her progress!  

welcome new staff

We are so excited to welcome all of these wonderful new people to our Homegirl Family.  

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Sarah.

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Sarai and her little man, Elijah.

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marlene's story

When I was growing up, I hated school.  My mom passed away when I was three years old and my dad wasn’t around much.  There was no one around to make me go to school.  I didn’t stay at any single school for a long period of time.  I got kicked out of most schools and kept moving around.  I was doing independent studies, but I didn’t like that either. 

 

I was in high school and had two children.  It was a scary time for me and I didn’t really know how to be a mother. My boyfriend and I didn’t have a great relationship.  My kids really gave me the motivation I needed to get through school.  I realized I couldn’t play games anymore.  I needed to graduate high school so I could get a job.  I decided that I needed to go to school for my kids.  How could I tell them to go to school when they were older, if I hadn’t even gone to school?  I knew that I needed to be a better role model for them and I needed to have a good job to be able to provide for them. My boyfriend found out about the Homeboy Charter School and he told me I should apply at Homeboy Industries.  I started in Maintenance first and then started working at Homegirl Café in March.  I like working at Homegirl Café.  It’s a good place to be and I’ve gotten a lot of support.  

Now that I’ve gotten my high school diploma, I want to go on to college.  I’ve wanted to be a coroner since I was little.  I want to study bodies and determine their cause of death.  I’m going to do my general ed classes at Trade Tech and then transfer to a university to finish my degree. 

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Baby Eddie holds on tight to his mama, Abbie.

sarah

Sarah passed her driving test this morning! 

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Glenda and her loving little man.

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Sarah  and Adela in our 4th Street Culinary Garden.

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Marlene graduated from high school last week!  We are so proud of her and we are so excited for her to start college in the Fall.  

shirley's graduation

Jenny's daughter Shirley graduated from Kindergarten today!  Jenny is so proud of her baby girl.

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Yummy tomatoes growing in our Bruno St. Mini-Farm.