Former Gang Member’s Life Transformed Through MAAFA Redemption Project - We Raise Foundation

Former Gang Member’s Life Transformed Through MAAFA Redemption Project

Glenn Adams

Two years ago, Glenn Adams walked through the doors of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on the West Side of Chicago with the sole purpose of securing a paycheck. He was desperate to make money after suffering gunshot wounds to his leg and hand that left him with a missing ring finger.

“My cousin invited me a few times to MAAFA at the church. I didn’t know what it was but he said they had job openings. For me, it was all about making money to pay the bills.” Adams said. “But God had other ideas.”

The MAAFA Redemption Project is a faith-based residential institute that operates under the premise that basic human needs must be met to create an environment where transformation can begin to happen. It seeks to recruit high-promise young men (ages 18-30) and invest in their lives through residential support, workforce training, character/spiritual development, and a host of wrap-around social services.

“Our mission is redemption, allowing God to redeem us so that we can help redeem our community’,” said Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr., executive director of MAAFA. “There is no secret sauce, just discipleship. Our goal is to reattach young people to the support system and safety net inherent in our faith tradition.”

Now in its seventh year, MAAFA has expanded to offer services to women in a pilot program called Beautiful Seed. The program gives women the opportunity to attend small group Bible studies, obtain life skills, and receive career development. In addition, MAAFA and its community partners were recently awarded a $10 million grant for the development of the Sankofa Wellness Village in Chicago’s West Garfield Park community.

Reflecting on the evolution of MAAFA, Hatch added, “it’s not at all what I expected when we started. But we can’t take credit for what was in the mind of God. We serve a God of high expectations. We are grateful for the initial support from We Raise that has put us on this path to build on the programs we have in place and take it to new heights.”

In 2020, We Raise Foundation, in partnership with MIGMIR Fund, awarded a 3-year $300,000 grant to help scale MAAFA’s innovative initiative. To date, more than 150 young men have participated in the rigorous year-long program, which takes a cohort-based approach to allow them to engage, learn, work and reflect together, and develop a strong sense of mutual support. A typical day starts with Bible study, meditation, and other forms of wellness, including physical fitness and weight training. Then, depending on the day of the week, the men participate in drug education, financial literacy, or hands-on skills such as dry walling or painting.

After the first meeting at MAAFA, Adams felt compelled to return day after day. Time spent in prayer, church trips, and relationships with his cohort helped cement his belief that he could not return to his old life.

Adams grew up in East Garfield Park. At the age of 11, when he was caught selling drugs, his grandmother sent him to Arkansas to live with his dad. During his junior year in high school, Adams said he found it difficult to attend school and work full time to pay his rent and daily expenses. He eventually dropped out of school, returned to Chicago, and went back to the streets.

“In my previous life, I was gang banging. I was doing what I needed to do to survive, which was selling drugs and shooting. That’s all I knew. I hurt because I was hurt. Seeing people get shot and dealing was the norm. I was a product of my environment,” Adams explained. “After Bible studies through MAAFA, God opened my eyes and made me see I couldn’t stay where I was. Life on the streets ain’t something I want to go back to.”

Adams earned his high school diploma last year and began solar panel installation training. His experience with MAAFA has left him optimistic about options for his future.

“I give thanks to God for delivering me and blessing me with opportunities,” Adams said. “I would love to continue with MAAFA in some way, whether as a life coach or something else. You can’t leave this program without a connection with God and relationship with other people.”

Your unwavering financial support and commitment has enabled community leaders to address critical needs in their West Garfield neighborhood and change Chicago’s West Side into a thriving landscape where hope for a healthy and safe future can reside.

 

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