(CHICAGO) — For what he says is the third time, Pastor Corey Brooks says someone shot out a window at the new Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center, which is still under partial construction.
Brooks released a statement after he found the damage Wednesday morning.
Dear Friends of Project H.O.O.D.,
This morning, my heart is heavy.
For the third time, someone has shot one of the glass windows of our new Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center.
Three times.
At this point, I do not believe these are random acts. Someone is intentionally shooting at a building that was created for one purpose: to give people in our community a better future.
And I have to tell you—I’m hurt.
I’ve spent years fighting for this neighborhood. I’ve stood on a rooftop in the freezing Chicago winter. I’ve buried young people. I’ve sat with mothers who lost their children. I’ve walked these blocks when others were afraid to come here. And together, we have raised millions of dollars to build something our community desperately needs.
We are building classrooms instead of jail cells.
Job training instead of unemployment.
A swimming pool, basketball courts, technology programs, counseling, health services, a theater, a culinary kitchen and safe spaces for children who desperately need somewhere to belong.
And somebody looked at all of that hope—and fired a bullet through the glass.
That hurts me.
But it will not stop me.
Every bullet reminds me why we are building.
Every broken window reminds me why we cannot quit.
Because the same environment that produces someone willing to shoot at a community center is exactly the environment we are determined to change.
So we will replace the glass.
We will keep building.
We will keep loving these kids.
We will keep creating jobs.
We will keep fighting for this neighborhood.
And we are going to finish what we started.
We are so close to completing this building. Too many people have sacrificed, prayed, worked and given for us to turn around now.
Today, I’m asking you to stand with us again.
If you have been thinking about making another gift to Project H.O.O.D., this is the moment. Help us finish this building. Help us open these doors. Help us send a message louder than any gunshot:
Hope is stronger than hate.
Opportunity is stronger than destruction.
And we are not leaving this community behind.
They may break our glass.
But they will not break our spirit.
I’m hurt today.
But I’m also more determined than ever.
We are going to finish this building.
We are going to transform this community.
And with God’s help—and partners like you—we are going to turn O’Block into Opportunity Block.
Thank you for believing in us, especially on days like this.
Pastor Corey B. Brooks
Founder & CEO
