In the heart of Chicago’s South Side, where disinvestment and violence have long been the norm, one man has become a beacon of hope, resilience, and transformation. Pastor Corey Brooks, known affectionately as the “Rooftop Pastor,” has devoted his life not only to preaching the Gospel but to radically transforming his community through Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny).

From a Rooftop to a Movement

In 2011, Pastor Brooks gained national attention when he spent 94 days on the rooftop of an abandoned motel notorious for crime and prostitution in the Woodlawn neighborhood. His mission: raise awareness about urban violence and generate funds to tear down the motel and build a community center in its place.

That act of radical sacrifice wasn’t just a protest—it was a declaration of purpose. It became the foundation for Project H.O.O.D., a movement rooted in faith, accountability, and action.

A Vision for Safety, Opportunity, and Transformation

Project H.O.O.D. is not a feel-good nonprofit—it’s a boots-on-the-ground operation addressing Chicago’s most entrenched problems: gang violence, unemployment, and generational poverty. The organization offers programs that provide real alternatives to the streets:

Workforce development and entrepreneurship training
Violence prevention and conflict mediation
Mentoring programs for youth and returning citizens
Mental health support and trauma counseling
STEM and educational enrichment

Rather than simply offering handouts, Project H.O.O.D. equips individuals to change their own lives—with dignity, purpose, and faith.

The Leadership and Legacy of Pastor Brooks

Pastor Brooks isn’t just a community leader—he’s a visionary architect of change. His bold leadership has united business owners, public officials, donors, and everyday citizens around a shared mission: to rebuild a neighborhood from within.

In 2021, he returned to a rooftop—this time for 100 days—to raise funds for a state-of-the-art Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center. Slated to open in 2025, this 85,000-square-foot facility will serve as a central hub for job training, youth programming, and holistic community empowerment.

What Pastor Brooks has made clear is this: Chicago doesn’t need more empty promises—it needs leaders who build.

Fighting for a Future Beyond Crime

In a city where gun violence often dominates headlines, Pastor Brooks brings a different story forward—one of redemption, structure, and self-determination. His work proves that transformation is possible when faith and strategy collide.

While many point fingers at the system, Pastor Brooks rolled up his sleeves. While others politicize the problems, he built partnerships to solve them.

Project H.O.O.D. as a National Model

Though rooted on Chicago’s South Side, Project H.O.O.D.’s model has national implications. It’s proof that community-led, faith-driven development can break cycles of violence and poverty. It’s a template for urban renewal—one where residents are stakeholders, not statistics.

How You Can Help

Pastor Brooks’ mission continues, and the stakes are high. As the new community center nears completion, there are opportunities for individuals, churches, corporations, and policymakers to join the effort.

Support can come in the form of:

Donations to help complete the center
Volunteering for youth programs or workforce training
Partnering to offer services or internships

Faith That Builds

In an era of cynicism and chaos, Pastor Corey Brooks stands as a testament to what one person—driven by conviction and compassion—can do. Project H.O.O.D. is more than a program. It’s a movement that turns tragedy into testimony, and forgotten blocks into future hubs of hope.

As Chicago searches for solutions, Pastor Brooks reminds us: the most powerful answer might just be a pastor, a rooftop, and a community that refuses to give up.

Restoring Hope on the South Side: The Transformational Work of Pastor Corey Brooks and Project H.O.O.D.