Homeboy Industries Art Academy & Threads

Homeboy Industries asked ORFL to support two of their projects for a three year time period. This was the Art Academy and Threads, their clothes recycle project. The following is what ORFL supported. Homeboy Industries belies in the Art of Growth initiative, it harnesses art as a powerful tool for healing, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. It aims to transform the lives of formerly gang-involved and justice-system-impacted individuals by building a thriving community of creative entrepreneurs.

ORFL supported Homeboy Industries Art Academy, which serves 35 full-time students and engages over 300 individuals monthly. Homeboy Industries focus on providing healing-centred education, creating pathways into the creative economy, empowering artists through social enterprise, and achieving operational excellence for sustainable impact. Key staffing needs include a Community Connections Manager and a Graphic Design Teaching Artist to drive partnerships and skill training. They are also launching an Entrepreneurship Program, to teach business skills and develop revenue-generating platforms like a gift shop and gallery. 

The second area ORFL supported was the Threads programme. They need support for a mobile boutique, upgraded equipment, and an “Artist-in-Residence” program to create upcycled products. Together, these elements aim to foster economic autonomy and build a self-sustaining creative ecosystem.