Gangs are born of a lethal absence of hope, and hope has an

Here’s the powerful and compassionate quote by Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program based in Los Angeles:

"Gangs are born of a lethal absence of hope, and hope has an address: 130 W. Bruno St. in Los Angeles, CA 90012."
— Greg Boyle

This quote encapsulates Father Boyle’s life mission — offering redemption and opportunity to those trapped in cycles of violence and poverty. By giving “hope an address,” he turns an abstract concept into something tangible: a real place where transformation happens.

It highlights his belief that gang involvement stems not from malice, but from despair and exclusion, and that the antidote is community, compassion, and purpose. Homeboy Industries stands as that beacon — proof that hope, when made concrete, can rebuild lives and communities.