PARKWAY GARDENS — Project H.O.O.D. Founder Corey Brooks is asking for help from the community after the windows of his planned community center were struck by bullets last weekend. 

Brooks told Block Club that the incident is the third this year at the organization’s Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center, which is still under construction at 6620 S. King Drive and is scheduled to open next June.

The damage from the bullet that cracked the second-story window of the center’s basketball court can be seen from the street.

“The first time, an accident. The second time? That’s a serious coincidence. The third time? It feels like we’re being targeted,” said Brooks, who leads New Beginnings Church. Both the church and the center are a block away from the Parkway Garden Homes.

The earlier two incidents happened within days of each other. In the first, Brooks said witnesses saw a man throw a brick through a first floor window the night of July 2. The following week, two more windows on the second floor were shattered, he said.

Brooks believes his center might have been targeted because his conservative views have made him less than popular in certain circles of the overwhelmingly Blue city. He has been unapologetic about his longtime Republican affiliation and he regularly makes appearances on Fox News. In a 2024 essay, he denounced the “victimhood mentality” of the Democratic Party.

Brooks did not say who might have targeted him. Police didn’t respond to a request to comment on the incidents.

Each replacement window costs about $22,000, bringing the cost for four windows to about $88,000, according to Brooks.

“It’s a blow because that money could have been used for so many other things,” he said.

He and his staff have installed additional cameras to improve security, though they said the center does not yet have full camera coverage.

Brooks said they have received numerous calls and emails from residents offering support, which has been encouraging. He also credited Chicago police, saying they’ve been “wonderful.”

The vandalism has made Project H.O.O.D. even more determined to make sure the 90,000-square-foot Robert R. Martin Leadership Economic Opportunity Center opens next summer.

The center is part of Project H.O.O.D.’s broader effort to provide job training, education and community services. Staff said the organization serves more than 15,000 people and operates a summer camp serving more than 350 children.

The space will offer a wide range of services and programs, including a swimming pool, culinary arts center, trade school, theater, music studio, basketball courts, weight room, dance studio, rooftop garden and community meeting spaces.

There will also be restaurants, health care services, a bank and dedicated spaces for youth and teens.

During a recent tour, Project H.O.O.D. staff highlighted the center’s business empowerment center, art and maker space and planned auto mechanics program, where professional mechanics will teach car repair skills.

In the meantime, the organization is preparing for their annual Harvest Fest from 4-6 p.m. on Halloween at the church, where neighbors can enjoy a petting zoo, horseback riding and a gaming truck, along with food and a live DJ.

Brooks is asking the community to pray for the organization, and to promote Project H.O.O.D.’s efforts.

“And they can always volunteer and give their time, energy, and effort toward the work,” said Brooks.

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