News and Announcements

Torry Winn Becomes New Hood Corps Director

Not many students know what they want at 14 years old. Torry Winn was different. Born and raised in a low income area of Phoenix Arizona, Winn had dreams to make something of himself. This is exactly why on his fourteenth birthday he approached NBA basketball star Kevin Johnson and asked him to become his mentor. “I thought, if he decided to be my mentor there’s nothing in the world I couldn’t do,” Winn said.

Johnson took him up on the challenge. Through after school tutoring and the help of a college counselor Winn not only made it through high school—he got into UC Berkeley, one of the best schools in the nation. After graduation, Winn decided he wanted to use his education to give back to a community in need. Soon he found himself in Sacramento for two years as Hood Corps’ very first participant. “The idea was that I’d live and work in the local community so that kids could see a hardworking college graduate every day, and hopefully realize they could become a success.”

Winn’s work in urban communities didn’t stop after his years in Hood Corps. He went on to obtain a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School where he also taught street law. After graduating he then went on to receive a Masters degree from Princeton Theological Seminary while simultaneously working with incarcerated youth in Newark, New Jersey the entire three years of his program.

Now, 17 years later after his first chance meeting with Johnson, Winn is the newly appointed Director of Hood Corps. In his short time back he’s already recruited outstanding college students from top universities all over the U.S. to move to Sacramento for the 2008-2009 Fellowship Program.  Bringing a charisma, passion, education and experience for inner city communities, Winn is no doubt a perfect fit to lead Hood Corps into their next stage of growth in Sacramento and cities all over the United States.

2008-2009 Application Process is in Full Swing

Hood Corps is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 year. We’ve already accepted students from top colleges around the nation to become our newest class of Fellows. With our August start date quickly approaching there’s only a few weeks left to apply. For an application, contact Torry Winn immediately.

Contact information

For more information about Hood Corps,
please contact Torry Winn at twinn@sthope.org or call 916-649-7900