In The News

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…

Mental wellness is vitally important for all of us, especially our youth. Not everyone, however, has access to counseling or therapy services. BUILD Chicago is a community organization based in the Austin neighborhood and they have created the Mobile Mental Health Program. This program brings mental health services to Chicago…

BUILD’s Amanda Cimoroli stopped by ‘Chicago Today’ to talk about making mental health services more accessible. Watch the full interview with Chicago Today at https://bit.ly/3Kx1Bbg

The new “youth and community hub” will allow BUILD to grow its programs for kids and teens that are “engaging them in community, bringing them in the sports and arts and music and food, providing mentors and safe spaces,” said Adam Alonso, the CEO of BUILD. Read the full article…

Build has long offered on-site counseling, but access was a challenge. That’s where the Mobile Mental Health team came in. They travel to schools across the west side, providing workshops and counseling for students.  Hear the full newscast here.

In 2016, when gun violence was rising across the city and Austin was near the top of the list of most violent neighborhoods, BUILD Chicago board members realized they needed to create “a hub for kids,” with services in the neighborhoods most affected. A teen center and a wellness room…

BUILD Chicago will celebrate Black History Month this week with its annual The Black Table event. The virtual event – which runs from Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25 – features African American leaders who will be sharing stories and reflections about their experiences, careers and how they hope to…

Crews broke ground Thursday on a new 51,000 square-foot facility in the 5100-block of West Harrison Street. The $20 million community center will house art and music studios, a basketball gym, a game room, a mental health center and more. See the article here: https://abc7.ws/3hsp1Cl