On Chicago’s South Side, an ambitious development is taking shape, promising to bring a variety of facilities to the community. The Project HOOD Center will soon feature amenities such as a full-length basketball court, a trade school, and even a bank, offering new opportunities for local residents.
This past Sunday marked a significant milestone for the initiative, as approximately 1,000 men gathered to celebrate its progress. The event also served to officially declare the area surrounding the center a violence-free zone, underscoring the project’s commitment to community safety and well-being.
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Local faith leaders expressed their gratitude as they witnessed the near completion of the Project HOOD Center, a vision that has been years in the making. For Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church, this project has been a long-held dream, one he has pursued for nearly 15 years.
“It’s about transformation, it’s about opportunity,” Pastor Brooks stated. “It’s about giving people an opportunity to change their lives and take responsibility for themselves.”
“It’s about transformation it’s about opportunity,” Brooks said. “It’s about giving people an opportunity to change their lives and take responsibility for themselves.”
Sunday’s event offered an inside look at the progress as the building will soon be ready near East 67th Street and South Martin Luther King Drive, near Greater Grand Crossing and Woodlawn.
Pastor Brooks wanted as many men as possible to join Sunday, including pastors, community leaders, former gang members and business leaders, as well as residents.
“That’s important, because with so much violence going on in the city of Chicago, we need safe spaces,” Brooks said. “We need spaces where people can have opportunities, spaces where people can have transformation.”
The center will have all sorts of resources and amenities, including a trade school, dance studio, theatre, basketball court and swimming pool, among many other things.
A pastor from New York, Gilford Monrose, was also in attendance Sunday, saying this is something that’s needed in every city.
“I think that’s something the city itself needs to embrace,” Monrose said. “Faith leaders coming together helping young people staying away from violence.”
With these resources and the help of local community leaders, it’s a dream coming to fruition in hopes of creating opportunities for everyone in Chicago.
“I remember many years ago it was just a motel here, and he sacrificed, because he saw a vision,” community mentor Vondale Singleton said. “He said, it’s not the ‘O Block,’ it’s the opportunity block.”
The hope is that the construction will all be done by October.
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