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Family of 8, including 6 children, live out of a van in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood
For many families in the Chicago area, finding a permanent place to live can be a real struggle. Such is the case for Alicia, her…
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Triathlon training program aims to level playing field for young Chicagoans
Francisco Arenas, director of intervention for BUILD, partnered with Live Grit Soars this year as a part of a city violence prevention grant focused on…
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Chicago events get kids ready to go back to school as summer winds down
CHICAGO (WLS) — Events around the city of Chicago are trying to soften the blow of the end of summer by getting kids excited to go…
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Join movie screening on food justice at West Side farm
In “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” film director Shirah Dedman explores the Black food justice movement in a 60-minute documentary. On July 19, a collaborative group…
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Chicagoans call for an end to gun violence on ‘Wear Orange Day’
More than 200 people have been shot and killed in Chicago, so far this year. Friday is Wear Orange Day, which supports “National Gun Violence Awareness…
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Chicago’s ‘Wear Orange Peace March’ honors National Gun Violence Awareness Day
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Chicago celebrates opening of new center in Austin
CHICAGO (WLS) — BUILD Chicago celebrated the opening of its new center in the city’s Austin neighborhood with a ribbon cutting Saturday morning. Residents and community…
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BUILD’s life changing new campus opens to change young West Side lives
Although he took a detour from an initial plan to become a doctor, Adam Alonso is saving, or at least changing, lives nonetheless. As CEO…
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Chicago group brings Mobile Mental Health bus to Black, Latino residents
CHICAGO (CBS) – In a time of crisis, admitting that you need help to manage your mental health is often the first step, but from there,…
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BUILD opens new center for youth and community in Austin. Premium facility offers art and music studios, kitchen, garden, gym, woodshop, counseling center, café and more
CHICAGO, February 25, 2023 – BUILD, a youth development anti-violence agency, today opened its renovated Austin campus to the public, bringing to life a long-time…
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BUILD’s Black Table event focuses on connecting young people, prominent members of Black community
CHICAGO (WLS) — Building connections between young people and prominent community leaders was the focus of ‘Build’s’ Black Table event Monday. As we celebrate Black History…
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