In The News

A new youth and community center will soon open its doors on Chicago’s west side. It’s a major project by non-profit organization BUILD that could become a game changer for youth in the area. The facility is taking shape on the corner of Harrison Street and Laramie Avenue in the…

CHICAGO — It’s the day before Thanksgiving and a group of young and old men have come out to play football as a part of their “turkey bowl.” When a police car passes by, the officers wave and smile at the players. One of the older men waves back and…

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without football. On Wednesday, some Chicago kids kicked off the holiday with a little friendly competition. The annual Turkey Bowl Flag Football game took over Columbus Park on the West Side. The big game was put together by the violence prevention group Build, along with support…

Check out ABC7’s Coverage of BUILD’s 8th Annual Turkey Bowl on Eyewitness News at 4pm – November 23, 2022.

Several Chicago’s West Side organizations – including BUILD Chicago, New Moms and Manufacturing Renaissance – will benefit from $75 million in funding from Cook County that will support programs working to reduce and prevent gun violence. The local organizations were awarded multi-year grants ranging from $1.2 million to $15 million that will be disbursed in…

    CHICAGO (WLS) — The renovation of BUILD, Inc. in Austin is nearly done. Chicago police reported that homicides were down 64.7% and shootings were down 54% in Austin from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Citywide, during the same time, homicides down were 23.3% and shootings were down 24.9%. But,…

The number of people shot this summer is down by almost 72% in Austin compared to last year, Chicago Police 15th District’s Commander Andre Parham said at this month’s 15th District faith-based meeting. The number of people shot in the 15th District is down to 19 from 67, between May 30 and…

Building a Better Chicago is an ongoing series of ABC7 Eyewitness News reports spotlighting the people and groups working toward solutions and improvements across Chicago. On July 25, 2022, Mark Thornton, Manager of Sports Programs, and  BUILD youth Juvon Crawford joined the program to discuss BUILD and the many services…

At IFF’s 2022 Investors Meeting, held virtually on May 24, three nonprofit leaders from the Midwest = joined a panel discussion – moderated by IFF Managing Director of Resource Development Nakea West – that explored how IFF’s continuum has enabled their organizations to meet the moment in their communities by…

In many communities across the US, youth violence and gang recruitment are an epidemic — driving young people toward aggressive behavior and participation in risky, violent and often illegal activities. BUILD, Inc. — or Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development — is working to change this. Founded in 1969, the nationally respected…

BUILD mentor Dominque ‘Domo’ Young appeared on Chicago Tonight with youth leader Indya Pinkard from Communities United and Strengthening Chicago’s Youth Communications and Community Outreach Manager Dion Mcgill, to discuss how gun violence affects the mental health of Chicago’s Youth. Learn more and watch their discussion at https://news.wttw.com/2022/06/07/how-gun-violence-affects-chicago-s-youth

Kaylah Ester, a student at Michele Clark Prep Magnet High School, marched Friday with at least 100 others to protest gun violence that occurs in Austin and throughout Chicago’s West Side. “It’s important because I feel children should have a future,” Kaylah said. So far this year, 48 shootings have been…