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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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A three-building campus to accommodate programs, events and administration situated on 1-acre of vacant land adjacent to a newly-developed 9-acre Motorsports Park, outdoor entertainment venue and playground at 8930 South Holland road in Chicago, Illinois.

An alternative location is available in Park Forest, Illinois.

GROWING SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT

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"The proposal submitted by Mr. Terry Hardy, CEO, World of Soul Motorcycle Community Incorporated and Ride for CHANGE Ride for HOPE Foundation will increase learning opportunities and the foundation brings awareness and encourages students to excel in their academics and further their education to pursue a college degree. All of which are essential for the families in the 21st Ward. I look forward to working with Ride for CHANGE Ride for HOPE Foundation on this venture”

 

Alderman Howard Brookins, Jr.,

21st Ward, City of Chicago City Council

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"I support projects that fill a void in the community, provide youth mentoring and educational support services, are innovative in design and approach while converting vacant land to good use...It brings me great pleasure to work with Mr. Hardy and the Ride for CHANGE Ride for HOPE Foundation to secure state and private funding sources for this project. ".

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Rep. Justin Slaughter 

27th District Illinois State Representative

Illinois House of Representatives

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"It’s  a unique asset unlike anything else available for youth within the corporate boundaries." 

 

-City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development

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"...we pledge our support with the referral of youth to the NYPUM program and assisting with securing funding where possible in collaboration with Ride for CHANGE Ride for HOPE Foundation."

 

Francisco Arenas,

Grants Coordinator

Juvenile Probation and Court Services

Circuit Court of Cook County 

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"I love the idea of the community center. Anything that helps our youth is a great endeavor. There are so many young people out there without a positive influence in their lives. Furthermore, with many if not most of families having both parents working full time or even multiple jobs these days, young people are left to their own devices much of the time. I think this could be a great opportunity to fill their free time with something productive rather than destructive.

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John Schumacher

 

"Wow! That is great! That is something I could back and with the right information assist with pushing it to the community."

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Chris Roebuck

Motorcyclist & Convenor

World of Soul® Motorcyclist Association

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"This is such a positive project. Wishing you much success with this endeavor."

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-Susan Goodman-Waggoner

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How did the concept for World of Soul™ Motorcycle Community Center for Youth Development come about?

 


For over a decade community resident Terry Hardy had been visiting a field of dreams of sorts, an undeveloped parcel of land within close proximity to his home. He had shared the location with a fellow member of  the Brothers of Soul Motorcycle Club, a motorcycle club he once belonged to. He did so with the thought the club could use the space for a useful purpose.
 

Hardy had heard about the challenges of maintaining the National Youth Project Using Mini Bikes program in the south suburbs. He later envisioned this place as a location where young people can be mentored using motorcycling as an incentive for good grades and behavioral changes. 


A fellow rider affirmed the need to reach children at an earlier age during the World of Soul Motorcycle Community Conference.


Hardy had been working to help high school students get to and through college.  Desiring to reach students earlier in their academic career in association with his passion for motorcycling he turned back to that field of dreams to explore the possibilities.


What if the motorcycle community had an added incentive to rally around youth and their educational pursuits, especially if it involved motorcycling?


Is there a need for a “Safe Haven” for youth and/or a place to play safely? Are there any agencies, organizations and institutions willing to support the endeavor? 


While on a mission to make an assessment of area needs, Hardy summoned the attention of a gentleman carrying a young child who was walking with a group of children. When asked if there was a playground nearby, the gentleman responded, No. The little girl he was carrying then turned her head to him. Her face was covered in blood. She had been hurt while playing in the street with the other neighborhood children.


Meetings with neighbors, government agencies, schools and community organizations revealed systems of sustainability, youth recruitment and retention, program development and financial support.


Young people need safe recreational outlets and systems in place to help them reach their full potential.


Hardy reached out to fellow motorcycle riders Barry Newdelman, an architect and member of World of Soul Motorcycle Community and years later Alderman Howard Brookins, Jr,. another motorcycle rider and education advocate. Newdelman produced a set of architectural renderings to show what the project could look like along with a preliminary construction budget. Brookins reached out to the City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development on our behalf giving his full support.

 

Hardy is currently engaging a number of organizations, foundations and corporations to bring together synergy and financial support necessary for the project.

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