BUILD's Prevention program promotes positive youth development by equipping youth with the life skills necessary to resist the lure of street gangs, violence and drugs. As these youth develop a steady support system and knowledge base, they are referred to BUILDing Futures to further prepare themselves for academic and career success.

In-School Activities - Prevention Specialists implement our Violence/Gang Prevention Curriculum in the classroom or with small groups of youth with identified behavioral issues, equipping them to resist violence, drugs and gangs and develop life skills, such as decision-making, goal setting and conflict resolution. The most at-risk youth are recruited for involvement in structured after-school activities that allow them to apply their newly acquired life skills.

After- and Out-of-School Activities - Prevention Specialists provide academic assistance, sports and recreational activities, mentoring and leadership development opportunities to highly at-risk youth at safe, community-based settings.

Community Outreach and Collaborations - Community Outreach Specialists work with parents and other community adults, informing them about issues impacting youth and helping them to work together to improve their communities. BUILD collaborates with over 100 private organizations and public agencies in its service areas and citywide.

For more information about BUILD's Prevention program, please contact our Prevention Services Director, Dana Anthony.