The Homeboy Way

Why Love, Not Judgment, is the First Step to Recovery with Fabian Debora, Jose Arellano, and Inez Salcido

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Fabian Debora, Inez Salcido, and Jose Arellano to explore what recovery truly means at Homeboy Industries. Fabian reflects on his personal journey with addiction, while Inez shares how her team prioritizes stabilizing housing and relationships before addressing substance use. Jose discusses how Homeboy’s strength lies in trust, which guides individuals toward help they may not yet believe they deserve.At Homeboy, recovery is about more than just overcoming addiction; it's about seeing the person behind the pain and offering hope. This episode reminds us that transformation is possible when we walk together, believing in each other’s potential.Key TakeawaysRecovery starts with compassion, not control.Healing begins by meeting people where they are, focusing on stability, safety, and community before anything else. Compassion creates trust, which is the foundation for healing.Addiction is a disease, not a defect.Substance abuse often stems from deep trauma, and recognizing it as a disease helps foster empathy rather than shame, allowing for a more holistic view of the person.Suffering leads to surrender.Real recovery often begins when control is lost, and surrender happens in the midst of pain and rock-bottom moments. Faith and healing are born from this surrender.Recovery is a way of life.Recovery is an ongoing choice to live with honesty and purpose, using tools like the 12 Steps to rebuild life, not just abstaining from substances."Spoonfeed" recovery; don't force it.Recovery should be presented as an inviting choice, empowering individuals to take ownership of their journey, rather than feeling punished or coerced.Love never gives up.At Homeboy, relapse or failure doesn’t mean giving up on someone. The team welcomes people back with patience and hope, believing that every setback is part of the journey forward.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction to Homeboy Industries00:29 – Demystifying AA and NA01:30 – Challenges of substance abuse02:16 – Approaches to recovery03:19 – Personal stories of addiction05:29 – Building trust and relationships12:39 – The role of rehab and medication19:01 – Spirituality in recovery26:48 – Living the 12 Steps every day31:39 – The importance of community support33:17 – Understanding harm reduction42:14 – Debating marijuana as a gateway drug47:56 – Concluding thoughts on recovery and supportNotable Quotes"When you try to push someone and force someone into recovery or rehab, immediately you can lose the battle there." — Fabian (08:18)"Recovery is a lifestyle. It's not just let me go to rehab. I'm good for now. We got to learn this new way of life." — Inez (12:48)“We have more access to controlled substances than we ever have. I think big pharma has contributed to that." — Jose (02:00)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Fabian Deboralinkedin.com/in/fabian-debora-886279aJose Arellanohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzoAdditional ResourcesAlcoholics AnonymousNarcotics AnonymousAl-Anon Family Groups

Start Your Day The Homeboy Way: Grounded, Joyful, and Vulnerable

In this episode, Tom Vozzo sits down with Dre Comers and Hector Verdugo to talk about one of the most meaningful parts of life at Homeboy Industries: the morning meeting. Held every weekday, it’s a space where the entire community comes together to connect, reflect, and support each other.Dre shares what it was like joining Homeboy with a background in nonprofit work, and how the culture of presence and honesty made him stay. Hector offers insight into why celebrating small wins, like birthdays or a year of sobriety, matters more than people realize.The episode also features two moving “Thoughts of the Day” from community members. Ricky talks about returning after setbacks and learning to take the program seriously. Debrah, released after 36 years in prison, reflects on what freedom means beyond physical release.This conversation offers a closer look at how daily rituals, real connection, and radical acceptance shape transformation at Homeboy Industries.Key TakeawaysMorning meetings create a space for grounding, joy, and vulnerabilityAuthentic leadership at Homeboy begins with humility and compassionReal change often starts after failure or hesitationWalking away from gang life is emotionally complex and spiritualHomeboy always welcomes people back, no matter how many times they’ve leftFreedom includes emotional and spiritual release, not just physical libertySpirituality is part of the culture, not imposed through religionTransformation happens when people feel loved, safe, and seenIn This Episode[00:00] Introduction[00:27] What is morning meeting and why it matters[00:59] Celebrating sobriety, birthdays, and small wins[02:13] Anatomy of a morning meeting[03:29] The role of “Thought of the Day”[06:08] Ricky’s story: Better Late Than Never[08:28] Leaving your gang and the fear of starting over[09:58] Why Homeboy always gives people another chance[12:04] Debrah’s story: Reentry after 36 years incarcerated[14:21] Adjusting to freedom outside the prison walls[16:23] Unlocking the mind and heart[18:40] Spirituality, prayer, and protection at Homeboy[20:28] Letting go, digging deep, and finding your spirit[22:15] The role of God in self-love and transformationNotable Quotes[11:34] "It's never too late to transform. It was never too late to be loved or to love. It's really never too late to start putting yourself first." — Dre[16:30] "We help gang members, not gangs. We work with gang members that don't work with gangs." — Tom[19:09] "We don't do shame at Homeboy. We go out of our way to not have people feel shame about saying, sorry, I messed up." — Tom[30:44] "The spirituality at Homeboy is undeniable. Everyone is trying to transform. Everyone is digging deep into their own spirit and learning themselves." — DreResources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Hector Verdugohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684Dre Comershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dre-comers-65178541Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo

Concrete Love, Unshakable Hope, and the Spirituality of Kinship with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.

Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries, and Tom Vozzo, former CEO of the organization, discuss leadership as mercy rather than management, drawing from Fr. Greg’s four decades of walking with those on the margins. What began as a small bakery in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, to provide jobs for rival gang members, grew into the world’s largest reentry program, measuring success by restored relationships rather than metrics. Fr. Greg emphasizes that unconditional love, trust, and kinship, not fear or performance, are the foundations of effective leadership, where compassion becomes a system that replaces shame with dignity. Despite the grief and exhaustion in such work, humor, hope, and a sense of community sustain it. Homeboy’s success is a spiritual one, a living theology of tenderness, where every act of mercy builds belonging. Their conversation invites listeners to lead with empathy, serve with joy, and embrace love as a transformative strategy.Key TakeawaysLove has to be real and practical - Fr. Greg says it’s not enough to affirm people or hold them in high regard if they’re hungry or can’t pay rent. Love has to show up in concrete ways. Sometimes that means handing someone forty bucks so they can eat today. Small things, done with great love.No strings attached means exactly that - When he helps someone, there’s never a condition tied to it. It’s not “I’ll help you if…” It’s simply help, period. Even if the person uses the money in ways others wouldn’t approve of, it’s still an act of trust. That trust often circles back years later, when someone returns to say thank you.It’s about walking with, not fixing - Fr. Greg doesn’t see his work as saving or solving. It’s an accompaniment. Just being with people as they struggle, cry, laugh, and rebuild. That presence says, “You matter,” louder than any sermon ever could.Stand in the lowly place - The invitation of Jesus, he says, isn’t to rescue anyone but to stand where he stands, among the poor, the forgotten, the demonized. That’s where the joy is, where love always wins.Fr. Greg leaves us with a quiet but radical truth: hope isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you practice. It’s what makes kinship possible and keeps love from ever failing.In This Episode:00:25 – The importance of unconditional support05:21 – Challenges and criticisms of compassion-led leadership09:20 – Fr. Greg’s personal journey and motivation for service19:19 – The role of spirituality in daily work22:51 – Understanding compassion and selflessness23:49 – Engaging with marginalized communities24:59 – The invitation to stand with the poor26:45 – Reframing what it means to be “poor”33:02 – The generosity of those who have little35:10 – Faith, suffering, and the mystery of endurance39:45 – Dealing with burnout and staying grounded42:00 – Final thoughts and reflections on hope and presenceNotable Quotes“I take unconditional love seriously. There are no conditions attached to this.” (02:30)“How can someone take my advantage if I’m giving my advantage?” (03:11)"The power is the loving. That's the power."(35:43)“Just listen, listen, love, love.” (19:00)“The monks said one word when they were anxious, ‘today.’ It anchors you in the only place we are saved, the present moment.” (38:55)“If you go to the margins so that the folks there make you different, you will never burn out.” (40:40)Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.https://homeboyindustries.org/our-story/father-greg/https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-boyle-s-j-05458514Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo

Healing, Belonging, and the Power of Unconditional Love with The Homeboy Team: Hector, Shirley, Stephanie, and Steve

In this episode, hear directly from the leaders and lifers of Homeboy Industries: Co-CEO Shirley Torres, Associate Director Hector Verdugo, VP of Operations Steve Avalos, and Case Manager Stephanie Lane, all with decades of combined experience, as they pull back the curtain on the organization's soul.They reveal the core practices that make Homeboy a global model of radical healing: how to cherish the "un-cherishable," why telling someone "come back when you're ready" is an act of love, and how to build a community where everyone is both medicine and patient. This is a raw look at the joy, pain, and transformative power of walking with people without judgment.Key TakeawaysHow the simple act of feeling "seen" can be a profound intervention.Why "come back when you're ready" is an act of love, not punishment.How every staff member, from the front door to the C-suite, acts as a "therapist" and container for healing.The redefinition of success from metrics to individual healing and wholeness.The tangible joy found in daily community, morning meetings, and hugs.In This Episode:00:53 – Introduction05:02 – The essence of Homeboy Industries11:43 – Cherishing and healing at Homeboy13:47 – Redefining success and healing16:09 – Challenges and second chances20:22 – Stories of letting go and coming back21:23 – A tense confrontation22:22 – A heartfelt apology23:07 – The power of mercy and grace24:12 – Building trust and accountability29:20 – Dealing with anger33:25 – The importance of mental health38:45 – Moments of joy and laughterNotable Quotes“It’s so Homeboy to love when other people won’t love, to just give a person a chance and to stand firm.” (00:18)“We’re all just a plant, just need a little bit of water just to grow.” (08:09)“Our healing depends on each other. Every single person who walks through the door, I would say all of us, even volunteers, because we all want human connection. We all need human companionship.” (13:08)“Just because we let someone go doesn’t mean we cut them off. That’s what I love about us.” (00:38)“The most important job here is to stop running from yourself and to explore this question of who are you really?” (00:26)About the GuestsShirley Torres is the Co-CEO of Homeboy Industries. She started 22 years ago, intending to stay for a year, and found her life's purpose. Having held nearly every job at Homeboy, she is a foundational leader in its culture of healing and kinship.Hector Verdugo is the Associate Director of Homeboy Industries and a 20-year veteran. His fearless love and wisdom in navigating conflict and offering second chances embody the Homeboy way.Steve Avalos is the Vice President of Operations. A former trainee who came to Homeboy after incarceration, he now serves on the executive team, often being the first welcome and the compassionate guide for those who struggle.Stephanie Lane is a Housing Case Manager. A lifelong member of the Homeboy community, she left and returned after a period of incarceration. She now uses her lived experience to be a "relatable face" and a source of hope for her peers.Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Shirley Torreshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shirley-torres-1a9516a2Hector Verdugo https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684/Stephanie Lanehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lane-757052284/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo

Leadership, Poverty, and Government Impact with Michael Tubbs

When End Poverty in California (EPIC) founder, leader of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, and Homeboy Industries Board Member Michael Tubbs sits down with Tom Vozzo, former CEO of Homeboy Industries, who helmed a $1.6 billion for-profit corporation previously, the conversation turns from policy to practice.Tubbs made headlines as the youngest U.S. mayor (Stockton, California), cutting gun violence by 40 percent and launching a universal basic income pilot that reframed poverty current policy nationwide. Yet as he and Tom discuss, Homeboy Industries has been living those principles for decades, offering belonging as basic income and kinship as public safety.This episode is not about what the government could do better; it’s about what already works. Through Homeboy’s model of employment, healing, and radical inclusion, Tom and Michael show that lasting change starts with relationship, not policy.This episode bridges two worlds: policy and practice. Listeners will see how Homeboy’s reentry model functions as a living economy of care, and why Tubbs calls it “the moral north star for every city that wants to work.Key TakeawaysPolicy Is a Blueprint, Homeboy Is the Building - Tubbs designed programs to lift people out of poverty; Homeboy creates pathways that make poverty obsolete. Jobs, training, therapy, and community operate as one system of care.Kinship Outperforms Bureaucracy - Where city systems stagnate under red tape, Homeboy moves at the speed of trust, responding to trauma, grief, and talent in real time.Economic Justice Is Personal - Homeboy’s “second chance economy” proves that healing is an economic strategy. Every paycheck funds recovery, family stability, and neighborhood peace.Leadership Starts at the Margins - As Tubbs admits, political systems often exclude the very people closest to the problem. Homeboy reverses that hierarchy; its executives are its graduates.From Programs to People - Tubbs sought policy wins; Homeboy cultivates life wins. Transformation is measured not in metrics alone but in mended hearts and restored families.In This Episode:03:47 - Personal loss, family incarceration, and the call to politics08:37 - Violence reduction in Stockton through Advanced Peace09:48 - Government inertia and leadership’s role in disruption17:17 - Poverty, wages, and the working poor22:05 - Guaranteed income pilot outcomes in Stockton31:26 - Nonprofit structure, humanity, and coalition building33:57 - Homeboy as a model: clients → leaders36:26 - Hope, resilience, and the next generationNotable Quotes[05:22] “Policy starts with a bill; Homeboy starts with a person.” – Tom Vozzo[09:40] “Government can test ideas, Homeboy shows us what happens when those ideas become community.” – Michael Tubbs[16:08] “We don’t need a pilot program — we’ve been piloting love for 35 years.” – Fr. Greg Boyle (as quoted by Tom)​About Michael TubbsMichael Tubbs is the former mayor of Stockton, California, and a national advocate for economic justice. At 26, he became the youngest mayor of any major U.S. city, using his platform to push for innovative policies aimed at reducing poverty and increasing access to opportunity. Michael is a champion for universal basic income and founded End Poverty in California, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing systemic poverty. He is a board member of Homeboy Industries and continues to work towards building equitable systems in government and beyond.Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Michael Tubbshttps://www.facebook.com/TubbsforMayor/https://www.instagram.com/michaeldtubbs/https://mtubbs.com/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo