Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Thursday 19 July 2018

Homegirl Cafe offers ‘platos’ by ex-gang members with hope

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS, As- up together!”
sociated Press The story always gets a
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a laugh, but Boyle retells it
different time, at another to highlight the power of
place, and under other kinship, and how a former
circumstances, you might gang member and an Os-
have run away from Latisha car winner connected in a
Valenzuela and Glenda Al- most unlikely place.
varenga. But at Homegirl Boyle has authored two
Cafe, a Los Angeles break- books, and his inspirational
fast and lunch spot with a quotes are on T-shirts and
Latino twist, the two wait- fliers around the cafe.
resses welcome you with To some of the homies, he’s
smiles and friendship. the first person who ever
“You alone?” Valenzuela showed them uncondition-
asked when I recently vis- al love without judgment.
ited. “Ah man, when Father
“Don’t worry. We’ll keep Boyle walks down the street
you company.” and into this place ... peo-
After seating me, she tells ple follow him like Jesus,”
me, “you’ll want our cin- said Erika Carlos, a woman
namon coffee. We make who spent eight years in
it ourselves.” She says it as prison who now helps run
if we’ve been friends since Elvia Hernandez, 30, prepares food in the kitchen at Homegirl Cafe Monday, July 16, 2018, in Los the gift shop.
middle school. Angeles. “All the homies want him to
Here, in the City of Angels, Associated Press give them a blessing.”
Homegirl Cafe offers a gang-plagued regions, he friends. Instead of trading mayonnaise, is another At the gift shop, visitors can
unique dining experience quickly found out that busi- gunshots, they shoot play- unique option. buy an array of Homeboy
with food prepared by for- nesses wouldn’t hire for- ful texts to each other. That The homegirls can tell you Industries or Homegirl Cafe
mer gang members gain- mer gang members and tenderness is passed along exactly how it’s prepared. shirts, hoodies, hats and
ing new skills. It’s a haven inmates, even when they to customers, who include In addition to the food are bags.
for them, to be sure. had marketable skills. writers, lawyers, actors and the stories. The clothing is designed by
But the popular cafe in the So, he formed nonprofit teachers. Boyle has told this one former gang members who
city’s Chinatown is a spe- businesses aimed at giv- When a new staffer shows many times in speeches, in- are being taught new job
cial place for visitors, too, ing jobs and training to the up, “you can tell she’s terviews and his latest book: skills. Workers like Carlos are
providing carefully crafted “least of these,” as the poor scared and ready to fight,” Actress Diane Keaton once happy to share their stories,
meals along with inspiration and vulnerable are de- Alvarenga told me during came in for brunch with a or those of others who in-
from ex- inmates who will- scribed in Scripture. my visit. “We make sure we guest. spired them.
ingly tell stories about how He formed Homeboy torti- hug her and show nothing A waitress, a former gang After my first visit, I returned
they are seeking a better llas, Homeboy bakery and but love. Most of the time, member who’d spent time for a Mother’s Day special
life. then, Homegirl Cafe. they just start crying.” in prison, went to serve her. with my Texas-born mother,
And where these hands Trainees learn all aspects of Plates like the chilaquiles Keaton asked for advice father and sister. My moth-
once hurt others, now they culinary arts while develop- — fresh crisp tortilla chips on platos and the waitress er, who was abandoned
are steering their energies ing social skills that create tossed with warm tomatillo gave her suggestions. Then, briefly as a baby before
to serve pleasurable, satis- tender encounters with visi- salsa, egg, crema fresca, it hit the waitress. being adopted by an immi-
fying dishes made with love tors. and queso cotija — are “Wait, I feel like I know you,” grant woman from Mexico,
and perseverance. In addition to job training, made from ingredients that the waitress reportedly said. recognized immediately
The hip cafe is an offshoot the former gang mem- come from urban farms. “You so look familiar.” that she was among the
of the Homeboy Industries bers can take advantage The Manoy’s, a sandwich “Oh I don’t know,” Keaton forgotten and feared.
social enterprises founded of tattoo removal, anger made of braised shredded said. “I must have that “This feels like home,” she
by Jesuit priest Greg Boyle. management classes and chicken prepared Central face.” told Valenzuela.
After working in one of the drug treatment. American-style with pick- “No. Now I know,” the wait- Valenzuela smiled, then re-
city’s poorest and most Former enemies become led cabbage, onions and ress said. “We were locked plied, “You are home.”q

Mario Lundes, 36, pours a cup of coffee for a customer at
Homegirl Cafe Monday, July 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. A selection of pastries is arranged at Homegirl Cafe Monday, July 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Associated Press Associated Press