Pastor Corey Brooks Raising Funds For Community Center

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The South Side pastor who camped on a motel roof for three months and then walked across the country in an effort to raise funds to build a community center and give young people opportunities in the Woodlawn neighborhood says he's found renewed interest in the project, reports WBBM's Mike Krauser.

Pastor Corey Brooks says he never thought it would be so hard to raise $20 million as part of an ambitious plan for a community center. The center would be located across the street from his New Beginnings Church on the 6600 block of S. King Drive.

According to Brooks, the community center would offer positive activities and opportunities to those that have few.

"I thought people would see the need and just say, 'Hey, let's help out,' but for whatever reason, even with children killing themselves, even with children hurting themselves, it still doesn't prick people's hearts to give," said Brooks.

He has raised $2 million and now he says he has something big in the pipeline. Brooks says he has found interest to sell naming rights to the center or portions of the center.

"I am really excited about because I think that if we can make that happen, the community center will be built sooner than later. It's the lynchpin in the whole situation," said Brooks.

Brooks said he has had some good meetings with interested investors and welcomes others.