ROBERT ERVIN WANTS YOU TO KNOW THERE IS HOPE IN DARK TIMES.

Born and raised in a housing project in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, Robert has overcome abandonment, gang membership, addiction, and imprisonment. “For me to be alive today, it is a miracle in itself,” he says.

“I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH GRACE AND MERCY, I HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK.”   

After returning from five-years in federal prison in 2007, Robert began working at the church he had been introduced to in 2002, New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. He occupied roles in many of the church’s ministries: as deacon, president of the men’s ministry, midnight basketball convener, youth minister, and bible class teacher.

Robert and his colleagues founded the MAAFA Redemption Project in 2017 to help young men ages 18-30 trying to turn their lives around.  The program provides spiritual coaching, GED coursework, substance abuse counselling, mental health support, job training, financial literacy coaching, and one-on-one work with a life coach.  A residential program, the young men live in housing owned by the church.  Staff provide support 24 hours a day.  Ervin’s phone constantly rings. Text messages stream in. 

“There’s been a death in my family. Can you pray for me?”
“I got into a situation and I’m stranded.  Can you pick me up?”
“Will you teach bible study on Wednesday night?”
“I don’t have a job and I need money for my kids. Can you help?”
“Can you meet the plumber when he comes to repair the boiler?”
“I need advice on how to deal with my son.”
“Will you walk me down the aisle at my wedding?”
“Can you go to court with me?” 

“Maafa” is a Swahili term for “great tragedy,” and often is used to refer to the devastating effects of the transatlantic slave trade. Ironically, when asked what “maafa” means to him, Robert said “freedom.”  Freedom from the pressures of life and society.  Freedom to be the person you are called to be. 

Robert can relate to the young men.  He has been through all the same challenges they are dealing with.  “Guys I’m ministering to, some have gotten complacent. They’ve accepted that their life has to be this way. I have patience to deal with the ones that have attitude problems, that need love and attention.” 

“I TALK TO THEM LIKE A FATHER. THEY JUST WANT SOMEBODY TO BE A FATHER TO THEM.”

Robert is on call to help with any issues that come up, including substance abuse treatment, responding to violence and mental health crises.  During the pandemic, they were forced to adapt to work over Zoom.  As a testament to the strength of the program and the perseverance passed on by Robert and his colleagues, in fall 2020, they had a socially distanced graduation ceremony for 26 young men in dashikis.  In January 2021, another 10 members of the cohort returned to complete the program, along with 30 new participants.

The calls and text messages keep coming. Robert will answer the call.