Pastor Corey Brooks: A Special South Side Of Chicago Success Story

Several years ago, a young man by nan sanction of Devin Howard came to my non-profit, Project H.O.O.D., connected nan South Side of Chicago. Like astir kids astir here, Devin grew up successful a world of unit and poorness wherever 1 incorrect move aliases mendacious move tin person dire consequences. However, Devin ever had nan beardown soul thrust to go a somebody.

He went to schoolhouse astatine adjacent Urban Prep wherever he played shot and graduated pinch a 3.8 GPA. He past went connected to Eastern Illinois University wherever his extremity was to go a nurse. But thing wasn’t right. School wasn’t moving for him and he wasn’t willing successful nursing. 

So, he near and returned to my vicinity wherever he perchance jeopardized his early by putting himself backmost successful nan threat zone. He moreover made nan rash determination to subordinate nan Navy only to backmost retired connected nan time he was to vessel out. Was Devin yet different mislaid soul? Would he find his fire, his passion? Or would nan vicinity devour him?

CHICAGO, MY HOMETOWN, KEEPS WINNING IN ONE SHAMEFUL WAY

But Devin kept searching and erstwhile he came to maine nan first point he said was, "I perceive you person a carpentry program." I told him that we did and that he was much than invited to apply. I created this programme because I judge successful nan trades arsenic a measurement out. I went to assemblage myself, but I cognize it’s not for everybody. I saw a batch of group driblet retired and location were nary waste and acquisition classes astir to break their fall.

Whenever I thrust by a building site, I wonderment if Devin is managing it — what a awesome feeling. 

There’s thing magical astir moving pinch ones’ hands and creating something. It’s not for everyone but we’ve agelong denied our younker nan opportunity of learning nan craft of a trade and taking tremendous pridefulness successful it. 

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Devin quickly roseate to nan apical of his building class, ne'er missing a day. As he earned certification aft certification, he met a man by nan sanction of Bill who was nan CEO of Reed Construction. Devin sewage Bill’s business card. 

Then nan pandemic struck, dashing Devin’s occupation search. He thought of quitting. But 1 time erstwhile he was cleaning retired his room, he came upon Bill’s paper and near him a sound message. Bill called backmost that aforesaid time and coiled up offering him nan occupation of task engineer. 

This was expected to beryllium a boy who ended up successful nan gangs aliases connected nan streets. 

Now, he had a occupation that he was passionate about.

That is why I judge truthful overmuch successful nan trades and will make it a featured portion of nan organization halfway I americium building correct now. It heartens maine to cognize that galore different Americans person besides travel to judge successful nan trades arsenic a measurement forward. Recently, I listened to Jan Jekielek question and reply Mike Rowe astir really New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Dakota are reviving nan trades successful schools. Rowe said, "They’ve sewage a elephantine run to get shop people backmost successful schools…welding, electricians, HVAC, plumbing, woodworking, automotive repair." 

I wish they would travel to Illinois since I cannot support up pinch nan request for trades. I cognize rebuilding nan trades infrastructure and organization is nan cardinal to a amended America. 

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Not agelong aft he was hired, Devin was promoted to task head and now sees aggregate projects crossed nan city. Whenever I thrust by a building site, I wonderment if Devin is managing it — what a awesome feeling. 

I precocious asked him to travel and speak to nan graduating people of electricians. He said thing that I, and astir group successful that room, will ne'er forget: "Poverty ran my family until it ran into me."

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