Project H.O.O.D. receives an $8 million matching gift from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, The Rev. Corey Brooks, Pastor of New Beginnings Church and Founder of Project H.O.O.D, announced an $8 million matching gift donation from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The funds will go towards the building of the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, The Rev. Corey Brooks, Pastor of New Beginnings Church and Founder of Project H.O.O.D, announced an $8 million matching gift donation from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The funds will go towards the building of the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.

Project H.O.O.D. receives an $8 million matching gift from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation

By Tia Carol Jones 

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation has made an $8 million matching gift donation to Project H.O.O.D.  for its center.  It will be named the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center. Project H.O.O.D. was conceived by The Rev. Corey Brooks, Founder and Senior Pastor of the New Beginnings Church of Chicago, with a mission to raise the community out of poverty and stop senseless violence. Project H.O.O.D. provides jobs training, resources for those interested in entrepreneurship, as well as programs for young people.

Twelve years after the initial creation of Project H.O.O.D., the organization is $6.5 million away from its $35 million goal for creation of the center.

Don Biernacki, Vice President of Related Midwest, called the proposed center transformational.
“Not because it’s this gorgeous building, but because of all the things that are going to happen there, for generations and generations to come,” he said.

Biernacki recalled being on the roof with Brooks a year ago. He added, that what is going to be accomplished inside the building year after year for the people in the Woodlawn community and the City of Chicago will be outstanding.

“Young people, parents, mothers, dads, so many opportunities to learn, to grow. But, most importantly, to have confidence and proof that dreaming is OK, that vision is OK, as long as people are behind you, we can accomplish anything and that’s exactly what you see today,” he said, adding the center will be a community asset.

Brooks said what Project H.O.O.D. is trying to accomplish with the center could not happen without great partnerships. He acknowledged the thousands of people who donated to the cause. Brooks said the center is being named the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center because of the $8 million donation Project H.O.O.D. is receiving from that organization. He said Project H.O.O.D. is grateful and thankful to the Chicago-led organization being so generous.

Brooks said the Money from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation would enable Project H.O.O.D. to scale up and build capacity.  The Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center is set include trauma counseling, a Health Care and Urgent Care facility, entrepreneurship resources, three restaurants, a swimming pool, gymnasium, a theater that will hold 400 people, a music and video studio and a computer center.

Tim Knight, President and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, said the organization is committed to the premise that all Chicagoans deserve high quality educational and economic opportunities, and the organization partners with leaders and organizations that share those ideals.

“Pastor Corey Brooks is one of those visionary, impactful leaders. Thanks to the steadfast dedication of Pastor Brooks and his entire team, Project H.O.O.D. has a long history of creating a meaningful impact. Project H.O.O.D.’s ambitious goal for positive development in Woodlawn, Greater Englewood and the community at large, advance the foundation’s mission to build thriving communities and create safe places for residents to live, work, play and shop,” Knight said, adding that the Robert R. McCormick Foundation is proud to partner with Brooks and Project H.O.O.D.

Knight said the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center will enhance community vibrancy and create more opportunities for thousands of residents on the South side to become peacemakers, leaders and entrepreneurs.

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