Nothing stops a bullet like a job. Hundreds of youth from East Los Angeles have found an alternative to gang violence from these words.

The Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., has been bringing this message to those who have no other options but to join a gang.

Boyle shared his stories with Creighton students and people from the Omaha community Tuesday night at St. John’s Church, an event hosted by the Collaborative Ministries Office and the Jesuit Community of Creighton University.

His lecture combined humor with sentimental stories that inspired those who attended.

Business sophomore Claire Leuck said Boyle’s lecture inspired her and she found it empowering.

“He opened my eyes to why people are in gangs, and I was kind of surprised that they do need help in figuring out what they’re doing with their life, and Homeboy Industries helps them do that,” Leuck said.

The Rev. Andy Alexander, S.J., vice president for University Ministries and director of the Collaborative Ministry Office, was one of the organizers of Boyle’s visit.

Alexander said Boyle’s connection to the youth is unique because it creates a kinship they do not have outside of a gang.

“What [Boyle] has discovered is that if you don’t really understand the cause, what you’re proposing as a solution is going to miss. The cause in powerful language is a lack of kinship,” Alexander said. “People don’t feel connected and what he offers them is kinship.”

Maureen Waldron, associate director of the Collaborative Ministry Office, also helped organize the lecture. Waldron said Boyle’s unconditional love for all of the youth makes his one-on-one relationships even more inspiring.

“He works with these kids in gangs, mostly teenagers, and he tries to keep the younger ones out of gangs with his unconditional love,” Waldron said. “It all comes out of his heart.”

Boyle, a Los Angeles native, began his work with gangs over 20 years ago in some of the poorest sections of Los Angeles.

Since his work began, he has impacted the lives of hundreds of young men and women involved or those who are at risk of becoming involved in gangs.

In 1992, Boyle established Homeboy Industries, an organization that helps provide employment opportunities and avenues out of gang life.

Boyle has since expanded the organization to include a café, a silkscreen company, a bakery and a Homeboy Merchandise company, all methods to help former gang members gain a set income.

In addition to providing working experience and a stable pay to those who were either involved with gangs or had the risk of joining gangs, Boyle arranged for 12 physicians to offer their time to remove tattoos.

The tattoo-removal service gives their identities back and makes it easier for them to get jobs.

Alexander said Boyle’s work is influential and important to the Creighton community because he teaches students to view people differently and in a more loving and giving way.

“When we do break through and meet them as persons, we discover they’re simply people with needs, family and hearts,” Alexander said. “It’s so beautiful, why we love to hear of someone like Greg Boyle.”

Leuck said the lecture opened her eyes to the work that can be done to help those who are in troubling situations.

“I didn’t know there were organizations like this that exist. I think it’s great that they do the work they do,” Leuck said. “It’s also important to make people aware of these types of organizations and get the word out to other cities.”

Boyle received a standing ovation from the audience following the conclusion of his lecture.

Boyle’s lecture can be heard in its entirety at http://magis.creighton.edu/audio/090210_Boyle_Greg_SJ.mp3.