Youth Pastor from Chicago Becomes Guardian of Several Underserved Young Black Men and Plans to Move Them to Suburban Mansion
Terrance Wallace, the founder of The InZone Project, poses with the young men housed through the program. Youth from underserved communities have been relocated to receive better opportunities and discipleship. | Courtesy of Terrance Wallace
A youth pastor from Chicago has taken dual-guardianship of several young men from some of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods and has allowed them to live in the suburbs where they are offered improved education, discipleship and resources.
Pastor Terrance Wallace, founder of the InZone Project, helps oversee seven young men living in a suburban home in Wauconda, Illinois, and has brought them into his family in a literal sense. He plans to move over 20 others from the city into a suburban mansion in the affluent Barrington Hills this fall.
Wallace’s structure of removing youth living in underserved areas to another area with more opportunities first came to be in 2011 when he initially launched the InZone Project in New Zealand.
“My kids in New Zealand had to come home and write essays on Chicago violence and gangs,” Wallace, a Chicago native, told The Christian Post. “Those essays were largely about black people, men in particular in Chicago. When I came back [to Chicago], I couldn’t look at what was happening and not do anything.”
Wallace and the family of Angie Mooney, a state education worker, have lived with seven young black men from underserved Chicago communities in Wauconda for over a year. Schools, homes and opportunities are much better in Wauconda compared to the city, Mooney told CP.
The InZone Project typically begins with a young person reaching out to the program who is interested in joining Wallace’s family. Parents and legal guardians are constantly involved, according to Wallace.
New applicants can apply online for the program and after an interview with the youth and their parents, Wallace begins the process of bringing them into the family. The family currently resides in a large suburban home, located on a street of 100% white residents.
“Because of stereotypes and negative connotations around black and brown kids there’s resistance from municipalities, but not so much in the community,” Wallace said. “But once people get around the kids and get to know them, the stereotypes always fade away.”
Youth who take part in the program are offered daily devotions and attend local schools. In Wauconda and the soon-to-come location in Barrington Hills, the local schools offer opportunities that are not present in their original neighborhood.
While primarily funded by Wallace, who owns a technology company, donations are important for InZone to operate. Wallace said the project does not allow donors to influence the project, especially if they are displeased with the religious aspect.
