Homegirl Cafe Adds Dinner Service

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Dinner is now being served at Homegirl cafe in Chinatown. The two-year-old eatery has added evening service on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 5:30 to 9pm.

An expanded menu gives diners the option to build their own enchiladas or chiles rellenos and features unique appetizers like the apple and onion rings that have sprinkles of cinnamon and cayenne pepper.

Keeping in with the mission of Homeboy Industries, the eatery provides practical work experience for at-risk youth and former gang members.

"It gives the girls more training to ultimately move on to a different position," says Mona Hobson, Director of Development for Homeboy Industries. "It's always been in the plan, and now Homegirl Cafe is ready to take on the next challenge."

Homeboy Industries includes Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Silkscreen, Homeboy Maintenance, and Homeboy Merchandise. The cafe also provides catering services as well as lunch and breakfast.

In this time economic downturn, it has been tough for anyone to get jobs. Job placement for the girls has been lower than expected, but optimism has always been the theme at Homeboy.

"Since we are just concluding our second year of the larger cafe, we can say that a few (less than 10) have moved to new positions outside of the Cafe," adds Hobson. "This number will begin to improve as the economy improves, as the young women truly gain confidence in their work and recovery, and are ready to step outside the cafe's embrace."

Homegirl Cafe / 130 W. Bruno (at Alameda) / On Thursday, August 13, Homegirl Cafe will offer music and a new art exhibit to note the new dinner hours.