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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The United Way of Wyoming Valley has enlisted the help of a priest who worked in some of Los Angeles&#8217; worst neighborhoods to help begin the organization&#8217;s 2018 campaign for its Poverty to Possibility Movement.</p><p>Father Greg Boyle will be the keynote speaker for the United Way&#8217;s kickoff event later this month.</p><p>The campaign is aimed at developing long-term solutions to reducing childhood poverty in the region by supporting new and existing strategies in education, income and health.</p><p>In Luzerne County, nearly one third of all children live below the poverty level, according to a United Way press release.</p><p>The kickoff event will be Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Keystone Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will feature Boyle&#8217;s inspiring story of redemption in the midst of crime and poverty.</p><p>Nearly three decades ago, the Jesuit priest landed in Los Angeles&#8217; gang-heavy neighborhoods. He would eventually become the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehab and re-entry program in the world. His organization focuses on employing former gang members in a myriad of businesses.</p><p>Boyle is a New York Times best-selling author for his book,&#8221;Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.&#8221; He was also the subject of Academy Award-winning documentary, &#8220;G-Dog,&#8221; the release states.</p><p>He is an inductee of the California Hall of Fame, and he has also received the California Peace Prize.</p><p>In 2014, Boyle was recognized by the White House when he was named a Champion of Change under the Obama administration.</p><p>The United Way will also present its &#8220;Partner Agency of the Year&#8221; award.</p><p>The kickoff reception will include food, beverages and music by Big Daddy Dex. Tickets for the event are $45.</p><p>For more information or to make a reservation, call the United Way at 570-829-6711.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Father Boyle </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/web1_Fr.-Greg-Headshot.jpg</photo0><caption0>Father Boyle </caption0><photoCredit0>Submitted Photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Dan Stokes</p><p>dstokes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Priest who helped rehabilitate gang members to speak at United Way kickoff