Built in the H.O.O.D. Built for the WORLD.

The Opportunity Center isn’t just being built for the community — it’s being built by the community.

Meet Terrance, a graduate of Project H.O.O.D.’s Construction Cohort who turned his training into a career and is now a proud member of the Roofers Union. From taking orders at Starbucks to a union roofer.

Meet Mark Cannon, CEO of M. Cannon Roofing Company, who is helping lead the charge by creating real opportunities for the next generation of skilled tradesmen and women.

And meet Jamar and Nate, who earned the opportunity to work on the very building that will open doors for thousands more young people behind them.

Through the Opportunity Center, our goal is to connect 1,000+ young people to careers in construction, roofing, bricklaying, automotive, and other skilled trades. We aren’t just building a building. We’re building careers. We’re building families. We’re building generational change. And we’re just getting started.

At Project H.O.O.D., we believe a person’s past should never determine their future — that with opportunity, accountability, and support, lives can be transformed. Not just for an individual, but for an entire community.

Brandon first walked through our doors through our FLIP (Flatlining Violence Inspires Peace) initiative and Re-Entry Program. Like so many men returning home, he wasn’t looking for a handout. He was looking for a chance. A chance to work. A chance to provide. A chance to prove that his story wasn’t over.

Brandon enrolled in our four-month Construction Workforce Development Program. He showed up every day, earned his certifications, mastered the trade, and graduated ready for a career — not just a job. Today, Brandon is a proud member of the Carpenters Union.

His hands have helped build the Project H.O.O.D. Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center — the very place that gave him his opportunity. He has also worked on one of the region’s most iconic construction projects: the new Ryan Field in Evanston.

Think about that. A man who once needed someone to believe in him is now helping build landmarks that will serve generations to come. That is the power of a second chance.

Brandon’s story is one of hundreds. With the opening of our Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center, we have the opportunity to create thousands more. All it takes is someone willing to believe that people deserve another chance.