Dolores Mission Church’s Father Gregory Boyle was amongst 19 awarded a Medal of Freedom on Friday by President Joe Biden at the White House.
“Father Greg Boyle has dedicated his life to healing and hope,” the White House said in a statement. “Father Greg is a testament to the power of God’s healing love and America’s healing grace.”
The award was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 for any person who has made exemplary contributions to the many values and interests of the States, public and private endeavors, or world peace.
Boyle is notable for creating Jobs for a Future in 1988, a program that started out of Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission aimed at transitioning gang members toward a better future. The project would grow into Homeboy Industries, now the world’s largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program.
“Father Greg’s ministry through Homeboy Industries exemplifies the transformative power of compassion, forgiveness, and second chances,” the organization said in a statement. “Father Greg has empowered hundreds of thousands of individuals to break free from the cycles of poverty, violence, and incarceration.”
