Pastor Corey B. Brooks, Founder and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, and CEO of Project H.O.O.D. Communities Development Corporation has become a leading voice and presence in the fight against the violence gripping Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.
Brooks started New Beginnings Church, 66th and King Drive in November of 2000, it was formerly the historic Roberts Motel Showroom. The church is in one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods and is directly across the street from the Parkway Gardens housing complex. He was very frustrated and angry that he was funeralizing youth monthly.
He has received national acclaim for spending 94 days living on the roof of the old Roberts Motel, directly across the street from the church. He needed over $400,000 to demolish the building that was a neighborhood center for drugs, prostitution, and violence. In three months, he was able to get the building demolished.
Brook’s vision of the future community center, an 85,000-square-foot center, is to become the center of the community, providing hope and a future to a discarded neighborhood. Adults will have access to job training and self-improvement classes. Youths will have a place to go after school rather than the streets.
Prior to his move out of Chicago, Ken Griffin, billionaire Founder and CEO of Citadel LLC, an outspoken critic of Chicago’s crime and tax policies, recently donated $5 million to Project H.O.O.D. The donation puts fundraising project over the halfway point at $18.5 million. Griffin has secured naming rights for the Atrium of Project H.O.O.D Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center with his gift.
Pastor Brooks returned to the rooftop to continue raising money for the community center’s building.
N’DIGO: How long have you been living on the rooftop?
Pastor Corey Brooks: I’ve been on the rooftop for 260 days.
What is your purpose?
My purpose is twofold and bring as much awareness to the issues on the Southside of Chicago. I want to focus on poverty and violence in the community.
Your purpose is to build a center: Project Hood Leadership and Economic Opportunities Center.
That’s what it is until someone gets the naming rights.
How will the center change the community?
The center will have resources for life transformation. People in the community will have a place to learn trades. When sick, an Urgent Care facility will be close to where they live, and their banking needs will be met. It will be a place to keep kids off the street and away from violence. The young people can participate in activities in a peaceful environment.
How much money do you need to build the center?
The center requires $35 million. To date, $18.5 million has been raised.
Tell me about your upcoming gala.
On behalf of Project H.O.O.D.’s Advisory Board and 2022 Gala Committee, we are honored to invite you to an elegant evening celebrating Project H.O.O.D.’s work at our 2022 Annual Fundraising Gala. The event will take place on Friday, September 30, 2022, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Union Station.
The 2022 Gala Honorary Co-chairs are Ed Wehmer, Wintrust Founder & CEO, and Don Biernacki, Related Midwest Executive Vice President of Construction.
Our annual gala plays an important part in the financial support of our impactful programs. I hope the public will support our work to help bring change in the community. We hope the fundraiser gala will push us over the top.
For additional information, please contact Kristen Kell at 847-346-2349 or email kkristen@projecthood.org.
Ken Griffin is one of our lead sponsors and will be the host for next year’s (2023) Gala.
Is it your intent to stay on the roof until you have the money you need?
Yes, or until we break ground, which is October 29th.
What is the solution to gun violence?
My viewpoint is getting individuals who are shooters or likely to be shot involved in life transformation.
Is your congregation behind you in this effort?
Yes, 100 percent.
How long will it take to build the center?
It will take 18 to 24 months.
