We Rise Donation
Chicago, IL – Project HOOD is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a funders collaborative supporting thriving local economies and a stronger Chicago. This generous grant will be used to develop The Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center, a new three-story, 85,000 sq. ft. mixed-use center located at 6621 S. King Dr. in Woodlawn.
The center, currently in its 25th week of construction, will serve as a hub for a range of retail amenities and community services, including restaurants, banking, an urgent care facility, a trade school, and recreational facilities, including an Olympic-sized pool. This project is part of We Rise Together's initiative to make focused investments in long-disinvested Black and Latinx neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic.
"We are deeply grateful for the support of We Rise Together," said Pastor Corey Brooks, Founder & CEO of Project HOOD. "This grant will enable us to create a space that not only provides essential services to the Woodlawn community but also fosters economic growth and opportunity. We are excited to see the impact this center will have on the lives of our community members."
Construction of The Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center is expected to create numerous jobs and opportunities for local residents and businesses.
About Project HOOD:
Project HOOD (Helping Others Obtain Destiny) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to achieve their full potential. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, Project HOOD seeks to reduce violence, improve education, and create economic opportunities in underserved neighborhoods.
About We Rise Together:
We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery is a funders collaborative of more than 160 corporate, philanthropic, and individual donors making focused investments with and in long-disinvested Black and Latinx neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic. The initiative aims to develop a model for hyper-local community reinvestment at scale by making grants, transforming business practices, and changing policies to support investment in disinvested neighborhoods, strengthen Black and Latinx businesses, and increase quality, resilient employment.