Project HOOD celebrates progress of center, violence-free zone on South Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A full length basketball court, a trade school and even a bank are just some of the amenities that will be in the Project HOOD Center on Chicago's South Side.

On Sunday, roughly 1,000 men came together to celebrate the progress of the project, while officially declaring it a violence-free zone.

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There was a moment of gratitude for local faith leaders finally seeing the Project HOOD center nearing completion.

It is something South Side pastor Corey Brooks with New Beginnings Church has been trying to bring to the community for about 15 years now.

"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.