With support from the California Arts Council, Homeboy Industries will advance our community therapeutic arts program ArtHeals into our new division: Somos LA Arte-Homeboy Art Academy, which is under the direction of artist Fabian Debora. Expanding our utilization of trauma-informed art-making focused on the strengths and lived experiences of those we serve, our free, year-round, multidisciplinary program includes Art Gang, CONVIVIR (intergenerational), ArtHeals Open Studio and community events.
All of Homeboy’s programs are delivered within a model of wraparound trauma-informed services designed to ensure that participants feel safe and welcomed and have the necessary resources to inhabit their authentic selves and become whole. Our specially designed programs and services help individuals heal from trauma, reduce recidivism, facilitate family reunification, remove barriers to employment and the other collateral consequences that come from being formerly incarcerated with a felony record. These include case management, peer navigation/mentoring, mental health and substance abuse treatment, academic and life skills education, youth programming, tattoo removal, legal services, and arts programming. We build skillsets and employment readiness by having participants work in our social enterprise businesses and participate in workforce development programming. This model is recognized as a success by leaders in research, government, and law enforcement.

