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Brother’s Keeper Out Reach Church Launches 8-week Violence Prevention Camp

Partners with County/State to make a difference

By Chinta Strausberg

In an effort to stem the violence, Chief Apostle William McCoy, pastor of the Brother’s Keeper Out Reach Church in Chicago Heights, kicked off an eight-week violence prevention camp Saturday where he was joined by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, state and county officials.

Announcing the bifurcated program, McCoy, who was also joined by Cook County Comm. Deborah Sims, Cory Foster, assistant director of Governmental Affairs from Gov. Pat Quinn’s office, Jeffery Jones, outreach director for Illinois’ Department of Resources, Michael Holmes, assistant director of the Illinois Department of Human Services, explained that Brothers Keeper Community Resource Center is an extension of the Brothers Keeper Outreach Church located at 283 East 14th Street in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

Referring to the program, McCoy named it the “Violence Prevention Camp.” “We are working in collaboration with the state and the county to help reduce the violence in the community,” said McCoy who explained that Illinois Senator Toi Hutchinson and the Illinois Department of Resources were also sponsors of this initiative.

Explaining, McCoy said the Cook County “Violence Prevention Camp” is being facilitated in Ford Heights where they will offer several courses like self-awareness, conflict/resolution and Hip Hop contemporary Christian dancing. “We will have field trips to the state facilities where the participants can learn archery and camping/survival skills. Those eligible for the program range in ages 8-24.

Apostle McCoy praised Gov. Pat Quinn, President Preckwinkle and Senator Toi Hutchinson for partnering with his church. The Violence Prevention Camp will be held in a County facility, the Housing Authority of the County of Cook (HACC) at 1055 Berkeley, Ford Heights and at Brother’s Keeper Out Reach Church, 283 East 14th Street, Chicago Heights.

“Our goal is always to bring not only the community together but also the municipalities, the state, county and faith-based community to fight this crime that is so rampant in our communities,” said McCoy. Quoting Rev. Dr. Willie Cotton, President of the Baptist, Pastor’s and Ministers Union and Vicinity, McCoy said, “We believe that we are better together” in fighting the rise in violence.

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