Last Wednesday we got to go as a house to hear a talk given by Fr. Greg Boyle, who as I mentioned earlier is the founder of Homeboy Industries here in LA. The talk was in the absolutely beautiful new student center on USC's campus. This is the first year it is open, and I am starting to see just how much money USC really has as an institution! That being said, there were probably only 20 or so people besides the 10 JVs in the audience there to watch. Even though the audience was small, it really was a very inspirational talk about his journey and the stories he has are simply amazing.
Afterwards he took all of the JVs out for a beer at a bar right across the street. It was so cool how a man who has touched so many lives is still able to make time for a few JVs that just happen to live in LA. Recently Homeboy has gone through a lot of financial struggles, and I decided to ask him about the sustainability of the company once he retires/isn't able to work any longer. he wasn't really able to give me a straight answer and pretty much said that is will work out and that he isn't worried about it. At the time it disappointed me alittle bit because i would hate to see such a great company go away because of poor business planning, but I then realized that many people in this line of work simply do not think about those things. Business people tend to work in the for profit sector and social justice people work in the social justice sector. There is a struggle now as social businesses are becoming more and more frequent. For now we can just be grateful that people like Fr. G exist in this world.
Thursday we watched a documentary called "Bloods and Crips: Made in America". It was a movie dealing with the formation of these two major gangs in the South Central LA area. Verb is located in Bloods territory. Since the late 1980s over 20,000 gang-related murders have happened in this area. For years police and ambulances would not enter the projects at nights because it was too dangerous. People talk about wars in Africa and the Middle East, but it is shocking to me how a war in one of the wealthiest cities in the world could be ignored. There is no other word for it, it is a war. Take a drive around Watts, and it is clear to see that it is not over. When you drive through the projects by my school, dumpsters are pushed into the middle of the streets in order to prevent drive by shootings. The situation has gotten better, but it is far from over.
Friday before a long weekend = tons of businesses letting out early = pain organizing rides for 70 Freshmen working jobs! Christina has a broken foot, so she can't drive. That means Mashanda, Jeff, and myself drove all around town trying to pick up 14 year old boys wearing shirts and ties. I drove to two businesses in Pasadena and only got lost twice on the way there. I sure I looked great driving a 15 year old minivan around holding google map directions and talking on a cell phone (illegally.....) all at the same time! After work and a long week there is only really one cure, Happy Hour!
On Saturday the JV house in San Diego came up for the weekend. There are 6 girls and no guys in the house, which actually makes me very thankful that we have a multi gender house hold. I think it makes for a better dynamic. That night brought Verb's first football game! They beat the other team by 40, but it was fun to see some of the students in action. After the game John and I went to the Santa Monica JV house We didn't stay for a long time because we were pretty tired, but it was fun to see everyone.
Sunday I went to probably one of the coolest Masses I have ever been to. it was a two hour long Gospel choir Mass and was so fun. If you read Carolyn's blog (top right) she goes into much more detail about it! That day we faced the challenge of getting 11 people around LA with only one car. We decided to go to Santa Monica pier again and thankfully John stepped up and rode the bus with all of the San Diego girls (which took like and hour and a half). It was fun and was followed by a labor day party for all the JVs at the Santa Monica house. Pretty much everyone showed up, and it is so great when all of the houses get to interact together!
Monday was a chill day. Took the San Diego girls to the bus station, studied for the LSAT, and enjoyed the Boise State game with John on my computer.
I miss you all, sending much love back home and wherever everyone is!
No comments:
Post a Comment