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Thursday, October 11, 2012

Meet Marcus

Marcus currently oversees our chips and salsa demo team. He and his team venture to over a hundred Ralphs and Food 4 Less locations across Southern California to share with the public their stories, Homeboy’s mission and of course, our tasty salsas. He recently took his first trip outside of Los Angeles to speak on behalf of Homeboy in Philadelphia.


Marcus pictured with our chips and salsa team at our annual fundraiser, Lo Maximo.

Marcus didn't know what to expect when asked to travel to the East Coast for the first time in his life. “I was just anxious. I remember once I was on the plane, that I just wanted to be in Philadelphia already.”

Once in Philly, the City of Brotherly Love quickly made an impression on Marcus. The different culture and feeling of the east coast exposed him to the idea that not everywhere in the United States is similar to things back home. Sure, people look the same, but it was their speech and attitude that stood out to him. He had expected everyone to be mobster or a character from the TV show The Sopranos.

Marcus will never forget the feeling he had right before he took the stage to share his story to an audience of a thousand supporters who came to listen to him. “I was nervous until I realized that the folks were so welcoming.” Many came up to Marcus when he was done speaking to ask for autographs. He was astonished that these complete strangers were touched by his story.

“It was a humbling experience to travel so far from home, to another state, to meet people for the first time and have them accept me for who I am, for whom I am becoming, and not judging me for my past.”

9 comments:

  1. I think you are an awesome young man who used every opportunity that was presented to you. You have proved what second chances are all about. Great job and keep up the great work.

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  2. Real Work by Real People!

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  3. Philly's Sister Mary is out there this weekend. Her Project HOME and HOMEBOYS could learn a lot from each other.

    And keep making great product. Best pico out there bar none.

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  4. I saw your documentary,and am impressed by what you guys do out in California. We could certainly use a similar program in central Florida.

    Keep up the Good Work!

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  5. Good morning. God bless your hearts.

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  6. I met Father Greg last week and heard his hilarious and real keynote address. I have been working with runaway/homeless/delinquent etc. youth programs since 1998. I didn't think I'd lost the fire for the work but after hearing what he had to say I have either re-discovered my commitment to the work, or perhaps found a whole other gear I didn't know I had. Marcus and the rest of the homeboys are reaching folks they will never know, but we all recognize the truth when we hear it. Thanks Homeboy.

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  7. Great story Homeboy and Home girl are really saving lives way to go Father G and the work you are doing.

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  8. Thank you for your post. This is excellent information. It is amazing and wonderful to visit your site.
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    Stories Of Helping Others

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