Pastor Corey Brooks To Return To Roof Easter Sunday After Mom's Death

CHICAGO — Pastor Corey Brooks will resume his extended 100 Day Campout Against Violence by returning to the roof on April 17 – Easter Sunday – after officiating his own mother’s funeral on Good Friday and preaching his Easter message at New Beginnings Church of Chicago.

Since Nov. 20, Brooks has spent 121 days camped outside on top of eight storage containers at 6615 S. King Drive to raise $35 million to build the Project H.O.O.D. Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center. The campout was meant to last 100 days, but in February, Brooks extended it indefinitely, sleeping in a tent, showering and using a bucket for a bathroom in the cold.

Brooks temporarily left the Woodlawn rooftop March 21 to tend to his ailing 72-year-old mother, Evelyn Sue Wyatt, who died April 8 after battling cancer for several years.

“Before my mother died, she told me to finish what I started,” Brooks said in a news release. “She said she always knew I was safe because we had a community center. The kids in our neighborhood need one too, and that’s why I am doing this. For safe spaces, skills training, and community building.”

The pastor and founder of Project H.O.O.D. said he is also grateful for the outpouring of love and support his family received during the passing of his mother.

“Messages came in from all over. I was really humbled and thankful,” Brooks said.

So far, the extended "100 Day Campout Against Violence" has raised over $11 million in cash, in-kind gifts and pledges toward the construction of the Project H.O.O.D. Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center. The campaign has attracted over 20,000 new donors from across the country. Project H.O.O.D. is using CLA Financial as its accounting firm, and it does banking with WinTrust, Chase, and Wells Fargo.

Project H.O.O.D. will now begin Phase 1 of construction, which is the demolition of the existing structure on the far north end of the future site and completing plans with the city of Chicago. The Construction Committee, led by Brooks, has over 100 years of experience in the Chicago area and is donating their time and expertise to Project H.O.O.D.

To make a donation and get Pastor Corey off the roof, visit Project H.O.O.D.