Max Cerda spent over six years at BUILD working on the streets with at-risk young people, developing relationships, building trust and mentoring them to leave the gangs and make better choices. He invested countless hours of heartfelt effort immersed in what is essentially a lifesaving mission. Now he is leaving BUILD to embark on another chapter…

In Chicago, another beneficiary of MBKA’s support is BUILD Inc. As one of Chicago’s leading gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organizations, BUILD (which stands for Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development) engages at-risk youth in schools and on the streets in order to help them fulfill their educational and career potential, as well as contribute…

Juan Villalobos of BUILD Chicago talks about what they’re doing to integrate alternative methods of policing in Chicago Public Schools. See the interview here:

BUILD is proud to join Comcast and other community partners throughout the city to create safe places where youth can connect, learn and get the chance to succeed in school. Comcast announced BUILD this month as one of the initial 5 sites to establish WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” in Chicago. The telecomm company plans to provide robust WiFi connectivity at Lift Zone…

By Sharon Hoyer StreetsBlog Chicago There’s a growing movement in Chicago towards large group bike rides in Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides with the goal of promoting public safety, wellness, and community unity. The Austin Peace Ride, which took place on Saturday morning in gorgeous weather, was a great example of that phenomenon. About 60 riders…

The Blackhawks and Mesirow Financial salute Rosa Rios for her commitment to helping youth and families suffering from gang-related crises.

This summer, in collaboration with One Summer Chicago and After School Matters, BUILD hired over 200 teens into good-paying, virtual summer jobs. Youth were engaged in programs covering civic engagement, gardening, cooking, jewelry-making and entrepreneurship, performing arts, digital media, and journalism. We may not have been allowed to come together in person, but our extraordinary…

By Zach Cunning AustinTalks BUILD Chicago has been hosting a summer camp in Austin for youth from kindergarten to 8th with enrichment activities, peace circles, basketball and volleyball – and a small farm with some very friendly chickens. Daniel Brown, a middle schooler who’s been participating in BUILD programs for two years, said having an…

By Hosea Sanders ABC7 Chicago CHICAGO (WLS) — Young filmmakers from around the world are sharing their work through a virtual film festival. The event has been put together by some local kids who are, themselves, aspiring filmmakers from inner-city Chicago. Worldscene Film Festival will feature eight films from five different countries, curated by young…