Coronavirus Update:

While crisis response and intervention teams will still answer calls, all regular programming is currently suspended through March 29th and our staff will be working remotely.

ONE MISSION:
TRANSFORMING LIVES.

EDUCATION SERVICES:
BUILDing FUTURES.

BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL:
BUILDING HOPE.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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OUR BLOG

Chicago’s ‘Wear Orange Peace March’ honors National Gun Violence Awareness Day

By Daniel Perez | June 5, 2023

CHICAGO (CBS) — The color orange is taking over in one Chicago neighborhood.  The Wear Orange Peace March hit the streets in South Austin Friday afternoon.…

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Our Chicago: BUILD Chicago & Think Outside Da Block

By Daniel Perez | June 5, 2023

CHICAGO (WLS) — Since 1969, BUILD Chicago has been working with young people in some of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods. Based on the city’s West…

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From Accessible Gathering Spaces to Educational Opportunities, Young Chicagoans Share Their Hopes for Brandon Johnson’s Administration

By Daniel Perez | May 16, 2023

The future of Chicago will be in the hands of Brandon Johnson.  Between choosing the city’s next police superintendent, a growing migrant crisis and concerns…

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Mayor Lightfoot gives farewell address at BUILD Headquarters

By Daniel Perez | May 10, 2023

On Monday, May 8, Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave her farewell address at BUILD Headquarters, where she reflected on her impactful leadership over the past years.…

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Columbia helps create state-of-the-art music studio on the West Side of city

By Daniel Perez | March 28, 2023

A renaissance is starting on the West Side of Chicago, and Columbia College Chicago is invested in making that happen. BUILD Chicago is a nonprofit…

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BUILD Chicago opens home-away-from-home for West Side youth

By Daniel Perez | March 27, 2023

The youth on Chicago’s West Side just got a new home away from home — at 57,000 square feet, it spans a city block and…

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BUILD’s Home Coming: A New Youth and Community Hub in Austin

By Daniel Perez | March 27, 2023

CFF began a partnership with BUILD in 2020, and they quickly became integral to our place-based grantmaking focused on the Austin neighborhood. The culture of collaboration at…

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BUILD’s annual ‘Black Table’ event connects Chicago youth with Black leaders

By Daniel Perez | March 23, 2023

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — On a Monday afternoon in February 2023, something special occurred inside the Walnut Room at the Macy’s on State Street. It was…

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See the Newly-Built Community Center Many Hope Will be a Game-Changer for South Austin Neighborhood

By Daniel Perez | March 3, 2023

Watch NBC 5’s follow-up story on our new campus. Last November, Sandra Torres stopped by BUILD to tour our new home while still under construction.…

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In Chicago, BUILD Wants Its New Headquarters to Be a Community Hub for Young People

By Daniel Perez | March 3, 2023

In 1995, Adam Alonso met a 15-year-old who changed his life. Alonso was working at Casa Central, an afterschool program operating out of a church basement.…

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BUILD hosts annual Black Table luncheon

By Daniel Perez | February 19, 2024

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago students got the chance to network with top professionals during the annual “BUILD the Black Table” event Monday. BUILD stands for…

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BUILD Chicago opens new office in Humboldt Park

By Daniel Perez | January 17, 2024

Martin Anguiano, Director of Community Engagement at BUILD, appeared on Fox 32 Chicago to discuss our services and plans for the Humboldt Park community with…

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Amid one of Chicago’s coldest days, warmth in unity at MLK Day event on West Side

By Daniel Perez | January 15, 2024

CHICAGO — Despite freezing temperatures, hundreds of kids participated in workshops and indoor activities Monday on the city’s West Side, all part of a day…

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BUILDing Boys 2 Men: Providing Mentorship and Counseling to Local Youth

By Daniel Perez | January 12, 2024

BUILDers Howard Brown and Richard Grundy, who work with youth in our BUILDing Boys 2 Men program, visited the set of Daytime Chicago to talk about the…

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Chicago Shooting Survivors, In Their Own Words

By Daniel Perez | December 15, 2023

BUILD partnered with The Trace and help create a safe space for people who have experienced gun violence tell their stories. This collection is the…

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‘Giving Tuesday’ offers refresher after spend-heavy holidays

By Daniel Perez | December 1, 2023

After a weekend dedicated to “shop-til-you-drop” ethos, “Giving Tuesday” offers residents a chance to do something good in their communities, and NBC’s Kye Martin has…

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BMO and United Way partner up to support West Side students for Giving Tuesday

By Daniel Perez | November 28, 2023

CHICAGO – Hundreds of BMO employees gave their time and energy on Giving Tuesday, packing thousands of snack bags that will be distributed to school kids on Chicago’s…

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Bears, Amazon host youth organizations at Halas Hall

By Daniel Perez | November 9, 2023

Ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Panthers, the Bears partnered with Amazon to host over 40 students from two youth organizations – Youth Guidance’s…

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McDonald’s Relaunches Grant Program to Benefit Chicago-Based Youth Organizations

By Daniel Perez | November 9, 2023

In 2023, McDonald’s is deepening its commitment to 18 of the organizations ensuring that these partners have the resources to build skills and capacities of…

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Building Futures: How BUILD Chicago is Helping Austin’s Young People Thrive

By Daniel Perez | November 3, 2023

Located across the street from Austin’s Michelle Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School, BUILD Chicago’s new campus is open for youth from Chicago’s West Side as…

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