Chicago City Wire

Gubernatorial nominee Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is encouraging support for the New Beginnings Church of Chicago Pastor Corey Brooks.

"While on our Bus Tour this week we dedicated some time to meeting in Chicago’s South Side with Pastor Corey Brooks so that the rest of our team could see his Project HOOD Rooftop Ministry," Bailey posted on Facebook. "I had the honor to spend a night with him earlier this year on the rooftop and friends let me tell you, this is a worthy cause which will bring hope to their communities. Please consider giving Pastor Corey your support!"

According to the Project HOOD website, Brooks is the founder and senior pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago and founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D. Communities Development Corporation. The website says he has “become a leading voice and presence in the fight against the violence gripping Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.”  

“He established New Beginnings Church of Chicago 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," the website reads.

"Within three months he raised enough money to buy the building and tear it down," according to the website. "The land is now earmarked to be the location of a 23 million dollar state-of-the-art community center. The goal of the proposed community center is to offset violence, provide the support necessary to make the neighborhood a safer place, and give children the tools to reach for a brighter future.” 

Brooks has been part of a revitalization of parts of the area. The pastor also established Project H.O.O.D, a community center in the Woodlawn neighborhood left scarred by out-of-control gang violence, South Cook News reported.

Earlier this year Brooks slept on the rooftop for his 100 Day Campout Against Violence, according to West Cook News.