CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It's a momentous day for a South Side pastor and community leader.
Pastor Corey Brooks is finally back on the ground after spending 11 months living in tents on a makeshift roof across the street from New Beginnings Church at 66th and King Drive as part of a campaign to raise money for a new center.
"It means so much to wake up on this last day and know that we're getting ready to break ground," he said.
His goal was to raise $35 million for a new leadership and Economic Opportunity Center and he's raised $20 million so far.
"Today is a great day. It's not just a day of celebration for me and our community," he said addressing supporters. "It's a celebration of you and what you've done."
The Opportunity Center will be located on the site of a motel that Brooks originally camped on for 94 days a decade ago to raise money to purchase and demolish because it was a source of gang activity and sex trafficking.
The official groundbreaking is taking place at 66th and King Drive Saturday.
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