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The Price of Poverty: Homeboy Leaders Reflect on Generational Struggles and Second Chances with Hector Verdugo, Dre Comers, and Jose Arellano
Welcome to The Homeboy Way, where we share the voices and stories that reveal how belonging, kinship, and courage change lives. In this episode, I sit down with Jose, Dre, and Hector — three men whose childhoods were marked by poverty, instability, and addiction. From selling drugs at 15 to keeping his family housed, to missing holidays because survival came first, to realizing that poverty was invisible until they stepped outside their neighborhood — their stories show us how economics drive choices, how shame takes root, and how the power of community creates another way forward.
Key Takeaway:
This episode of The Homeboy Way goes deep into how poverty and addiction shape lives — and how Jose, Dre, and Hector transformed their stories into hope.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[02:07] Growing up in poverty and the challenges it presented.
[04:56] Hector shares his journey of hustling at a young age to survive, leading him to the streets and eventually to Homeboy Industries.
[08:23] Dre discusses the emotional challenges of growing up without basic necessities, such as a Christmas tree or regular meals.
[14:13] Jose shares how he navigated poverty and took on responsibilities at a young age to care for his family amidst drug addiction and violence.
[17:43] Jose explains how he turned to gang life due to a sense of abandonment and the lack of financial stability.
[21:20] Dre reflects on the material allure of gang life, especially when compared to the poverty-stricken lifestyle he experienced growing up.
[33:21] The group reflects on Father Greg’s approach to giving and how Homeboy Industries provides support for those in need.
[49:14] The importance of second chances, generosity, and kinship within the Homeboy community.
Notable Quotes:
[17:23] "I was just trying to survive, trying to feed my family. I didn’t care about the rest of the world." – Jose
[08:48] "You don’t realize the importance of a Christmas tree until you don’t have one." – Dre
[33:21] "Money solves problems for poor people. It makes a difference in their survival." – Tom Vozzo
[30:12] "You don’t just survive, you thrive because you’ve been given a chance." – Hector
Resources and Links
Homeboy Industries
https://homeboyindustries.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos
Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/
Homeboy Media
https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/
Hector Verdugo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684
Jose Arellano
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0/
Dre Comers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dre-comers-65178541/
Thomas Vozzo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo
View all episodes
By The Homeboy Way
5
3030 ratings
Welcome to The Homeboy Way, where we share the voices and stories that reveal how belonging, kinship, and courage change lives. In this episode, I sit down with Jose, Dre, and Hector — three men whose childhoods were marked by poverty, instability, and addiction. From selling drugs at 15 to keeping his family housed, to missing holidays because survival came first, to realizing that poverty was invisible until they stepped outside their neighborhood — their stories show us how economics drive choices, how shame takes root, and how the power of community creates another way forward.
Key Takeaway:
This episode of The Homeboy Way goes deep into how poverty and addiction shape lives — and how Jose, Dre, and Hector transformed their stories into hope.
In This Episode:
[00:00] Introduction
[02:07] Growing up in poverty and the challenges it presented.
[04:56] Hector shares his journey of hustling at a young age to survive, leading him to the streets and eventually to Homeboy Industries.
[08:23] Dre discusses the emotional challenges of growing up without basic necessities, such as a Christmas tree or regular meals.
[14:13] Jose shares how he navigated poverty and took on responsibilities at a young age to care for his family amidst drug addiction and violence.
[17:43] Jose explains how he turned to gang life due to a sense of abandonment and the lack of financial stability.
[21:20] Dre reflects on the material allure of gang life, especially when compared to the poverty-stricken lifestyle he experienced growing up.
[33:21] The group reflects on Father Greg’s approach to giving and how Homeboy Industries provides support for those in need.
[49:14] The importance of second chances, generosity, and kinship within the Homeboy community.
Notable Quotes:
[17:23] "I was just trying to survive, trying to feed my family. I didn’t care about the rest of the world." – Jose
[08:48] "You don’t realize the importance of a Christmas tree until you don’t have one." – Dre
[33:21] "Money solves problems for poor people. It makes a difference in their survival." – Tom Vozzo
[30:12] "You don’t just survive, you thrive because you’ve been given a chance." – Hector
Resources and Links
Homeboy Industries
https://homeboyindustries.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos
Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/
Homeboy Media
https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/
Hector Verdugo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-verdugo-7297a684
Jose Arellano
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-arellano-001966a0/
Dre Comers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dre-comers-65178541/
Thomas Vozzo
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo
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