In Chicago, one man refuses to let his neighborhood die.
In today’s world, the media is king.
And unfortunately, that king seems to always latch on to the worst of things. Log on to Facebook or Instagram and you’ll be bombarded with photos and videos chronicling tragedies like school lockdowns, war overseas, and kidnappings. Turn on the news (pick a network, any network) and you’ll hear on repeat the answers to “what bad thing happened today?”
Grated, seeing tragedy is inevitable, whether you want to or not. What you won’t necessarily see, however, are the heroes spreading good in the world, especially at the local level.
What you’re not seeing are the heroes who hit the streets after a shooting in Chicago earlier this year—one that included a fifteen-old-old boy.
The Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny) Violence Impact Team, Recovery Team, and Pastoral Team responded to the shooting immediately, conducting door-to-door outreach, distributing public education materials, and engaging residents in conversations about the real consequences of violence and the alternatives that exist for young people in the community. The group further canvassed the community, including the local gas station, speaking with key individuals and neighbors about how to de-escalate tensions, offer support, and prevent further harm.
But why make these efforts?
Because Project H.O.O.D. is committed to being visible, proactive, and united as they work to build a safer and stronger neighborhood.
Launched in 2012 in one of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods, Project H.O.O.D. was born out of a deep commitment to transforming lives and uplifting communities in the heart of Chicago. The organization has five major programming areas that directly help men and women in Chicago transform their lives and give back to their community: Entrepreneurship & Jobs, Re-Entry Services, Community Health & Wellness, Violence Prevention, and Youth Programs.
Over the years, Project H.O.O.D. has evolved and grown, expanding its programs to meet the ever-changing needs of communities in Chicago. This has been a remarkable journey, one marked by resilience, dedication, and countless stories of transformation.
Over the last several years, Project H.O.O.D. has been able to:
- Provide educational resources and tutoring to thousands of students, helping them achieve academic success.
- Offer mentorship programs that guide individuals of all ages toward their goals and aspirations.
- Engage in community development initiatives, including affordable housing projects and job training programs, to create sustainable change.
- Forge partnerships with like-minded organizations, amplifying their impact and fostering a stronger, more vibrant community.
The founder of Project H.O.O.D. is none other than Pastor Corey Brooks, known to many as the “Rooftop Pastor.” Corey first garnered attention when he spent 94 days living on a rooftop in the dead of winter, seeking to draw national attention to gun violence and poverty on Chicago’s South Side. A decade later, he returned to the rooftop for a second, unprecedented 343-day vigil, where he raised over $20 million and gained more than 20,000 new partners in his mission to transform lives and rebuild the community.
Even though Corey’s work originated in the Windy City, his vision for Project H.O.O.D. doesn’t end in Chicago. Corey has become a national voice for urban renewal, conservative values, and faith-based solutions to systemic issues. His work emphasizes personal responsibility, economic opportunity, and spiritual transformation.
Corey is expanding their work in a new way, by building a 90,000-square-foot Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center—a $47 million project. And, starting last September, he began walking from Times Square in New York all the way to Los Angeles—12.5 miles a day, Monday through Friday, for a whole year. Why?
He wants to bring attention to the fact that every block in America can make a comeback. He’s taking the American Dream across the country, letting people know it’s still possible to achieve. Corey says at the end of the day, his goal is to plant Project H.O.O.D.s all across America—urban areas, rural areas, and everything in between—to show people they don’t have to wait on the government to come save them.
“We can take responsibility for our lives. We can be overcomers. No matter where you start, you can achieve the American Dream.”
Corey Brooks and Project H.O.O.D. are terrific examples of the news we aren’t seeing, the people building up our nation when so many want to tear it down. While the media might like to highlight and promote tales of tragedy and division, the stories coming out of Project H.O.O.D. are of hope, empowerment, and transformation. I don’t know about you, but those are the stories I like to hear, and I certainly will be following along to see the transformation Corey’s work achieves across America in the years to come!
If you want to learn more about Project H.O.O.D., you can visit their website or follow them on Facebook! To make a gift to Project H.O.O.D., head over to their donation page.
