HOMEBOY PUPPY FADES GRAND OPENING

Yesterday morning, in the beautiful city of Pasadena, California, community members gathered at 446 S Fair Oaks Ave for the grand opening of the brand new Homeboy Puppy Fades. This is the latest venture from Homeboy Industries which is the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program. This wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. It was a time of celebration, second chances, personal changes, and the power of a community coming together.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Steve Delgado, Co-CEO of Homeboy Industries, who passionately broke down the mission behind Puppy Fades which is to equip formerly incarcerated and gang-involved individuals with real career paths, professional dog grooming certifications, and the support system to keep them on track for a better future. It’s more than a business, it's a stepping stone and a place where second chances are possible for anybody. 

Throughout the morning, we heard deeply moving testimonies from several individuals who opened up about their pasts and how Homeboy Industries helped them redirect their lives. Each story shared the same message, with the right community, healing is possible.

The original founder of Homeboy Industries, Father Greg Boyle, followed with a brief but powerful speech. Quoting the late pope, he reminded us, “Everyone deserves a second chance to be redeemed and everyone has a second chance to die with God.” That belief is embedded in everything Homeboy stands for, and Puppy Fades is just the latest chapter in that ongoing mission of hope.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo also took to the mic, praising the expansion of the Fair Oaks district and the impact this salon will have on the city. It’s not every day that a dog grooming salon is also a symbol of social progress, but Puppy Fades is exactly that.

After the speeches, a lively ribbon cutting ceremony officially marked the opening, immediately followed by a tour of the brand new facility. Every groomer is professionally certified, many of them graduates of the Homeboy 18 month reentry training program, and they’re ready to deliver five-star experiences to Pasadena’s furry friends.

With fourteen social enterprises now in motion, the organization and expansion continues to lead by example, proving that healing, purpose, and community can be built, one job, one story, and yes, one dog at a time.

Learn more at homeboyindustries.org. Photos Shot by Jesse Soto Article Written by: Joseph Hernandez Torrejon