Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Research and Radical Kinship”

In this activity—which takes its name from Boyle’s second book—students learn about other organizations that help employ members of traditionally marginalized communities by presenting to their classmates in a “mini-conference.”

Break off into groups of four. Each group will be assigned one of the following organizations that works with former gang members:

• Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives
• Neighborhood Industries
• Project Kinship
• Bridge Bread
• Astute Coffee
• 2 Fish Home Renovations
• FREED Texas

Part One: Answer Questions as a Group

Work together with your group to write answers to these questions:

• What is the organization’s mission? Who does it aim to help?
• How does the organization implement its mission?
• If possible, tell us about a success story or testimonial you read about.
• How does this organization relate to the lessons Fr. Boyle discusses in Tattoos on the Heart? Consider the book’s themes and include evidence from the text as you write your answers.

Part Two: Share Your Answers

After twenty minutes, each group should take time to share their answers with the rest of the class.