Pastor’s Rooftop Mission to Save Chicago’s Southside

PROJECT H.O.O.D

In November 2000, Pastor Corey established New Beginnings Church of Chicago in the heart of the city’s most dangerous neighborhood. He received national acclaim when he camped out on a motel (across from his church) rooftop in 2011 for 94 days during a cold Chicago winter to bring national attention and awareness to gun violence and poverty in his Woodlawn neighborhood.

Within three months he raised enough money to buy the building and tear it down. The land was earmarked to be the location of a future state-of-the-art community center. 

Following this historic victory, Pastor Corey and his wife, Delilah founded Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny) with the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty, violence and incarceration on Chicago’s Southside. Since then, Project H.O.O.D. has grown to serve over 1,500 at-risk youth and 2,500 adults in transition in Woodlawn, Englewood and surrounding areas.

With more than 15 different programs focused on violence prevention, entrepreneurial and workforce training, education, and health and wellness services that support individual and community transformation. While they are changing the trajectory of thousands of lives, there is an opportunity to do much more.

BACK ON THE ROOFTOP

Ten years later, Pastor Corey went back to the “rooftop” on November 20, 2021 and will continue to stay there until February 28, 2022. He is on the roof 24/7 and does not leave for any reason. During the 100-day camp out (TENT-A-THON) he has been on the roof for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and his birthday. “It is a sacrifice to be away from my family and church,” shares Pastor Corey. “But I believe we, as a city and community, we can change O Block to Opportunity Block.” 

He is camped out on a replica of the future community center (Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center) to launch Project H.O.O.D.’s capital campaign. The replica will consist of (3) 40ft shipping containers on the very lots that the motel once stood. Atop these shipping containers, will be a series of 3 tents (Corey’s personal tent, guest tent, and a tent for meetings).

He is raising $35 million to bring resources, construction certification, job training, entrepreneur training, and recreation to a Chicago neighborhood plagued with poverty and violence. He invites CEO’s, community leaders, families, and individuals to camp overnight on the “roof” with him for 12-24 hours to help raise the $35 million for their community center. 

PASTOR COREY’S INFO

Pastor Corey is the Founder and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago established in November 2000 in the heart of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhood. This opportunity was his first glimpse into the despair in the city of Chicago served as the catalyst to his ongoing efforts to date. He is also the Founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D. He has become a leading voice and presence in the fight against the violence gripping Chicago's poorest neighborhoods.