Dads Stepping Up: Homeboy’s George Nunez and Daniel Martinez on the Courage to Stay

George Nunez, Head of Security at Homeboy Industries, spent years in and out of prison. He shut out the world, including his own children, because showing weakness behind bars wasn't an option. Daniel Martinez, a Navigator at Homeboy Industries, asked his parole officer to lock him up again rather than feel like a burden to his brother. Both men walked through Homeboy's doors expecting nothing more than a resume or tattoo removal. What they found instead was a place that wouldn't give up on them and wouldn't let them give up on their kids.In this episode, host Tom Vozzo sits down with George and Daniel to talk about what real fatherhood looks like when you're learning from scratch. They discuss the terror of being vulnerable, the slow work of putting ego aside, and the unexpected mentors, including Father Greg, whom they now call "Dad." Together, they prove that the cycle of abandonment can be broken, one parenting class, one 2:00 a.m. phone call, and one soaked train ride with a baby at a time.Key TakeawaysShow up even when you're not readyGeorge doubted himself and didn't want to come to Homeboy, but he chose to show up on Monday.Healing is an inside jobGeorge learned in therapy that wanting to change isn't enough,  you have to work on what's inside and let someone help you figure it out.It's not about you anymoreGeorge says you save the next person walking through the door, because someone saved you. This lifestyle requires you to care and feel things you never felt before."You're never in my way"George expected to be scolded by Father Greg, but Greg said, "You start Monday." That one invitation changed everything.Straddling the fence takes timeDaniel wanted to be a father, but the lifestyle kept pulling him back. Change didn't happen overnight; it was a battle.Prison taught me to shut the world offGeorge blocked everyone out to survive. Coming home meant learning a new way to be one where you don't have to hide.In This Episode:[00:00] Introduction[00:25] Meet Daniel Martinez and George Nunez[01:05] Daniel finds Homeboy after prison[02:35] Discovering support through classes and community[04:11] Feeling like a burden to family[05:36] George returns to Homeboy in 2013[08:09] Therapy, trauma, and looking within[10:46] Choosing fatherhood over gang life[11:42] Learning how to be a dad[16:17] The Challenge Program and accountability inside prison[17:44] Trying to be a father while incarcerated[19:05] George explains why he shut the world out[19:59] Learning fatherhood after prison[21:22] Earning back the right to be called Dad[21:55] Parenting classes and communication skills[22:59] Their children begin to see the change[23:58] Father Greg as the father figure they never had[25:42] Learning fatherhood with a new baby[27:02] Mentoring trainees with patience and compassion[28:50] Dreams and hopes for their children[31:54] Why Homeboy feels like family[33:19] Finding joy through fatherhood and healing[36:10] Closing reflections and outroNotable Quotes“I felt the embrace. I felt the love. And I hadn’t even started therapy yet.” — George [00:07:56]“It’s not easy to change. It didn’t take days or months for me. It took years.” — Daniel [00:12:49]“Being a father now is giving my kids what I never got.” — George [00:23:54]Resources and LinksHomeboy Industrieshttps://homeboyindustries.org/https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videosDonate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/Homeboy Media https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/Thomas Vozzohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozz