Former gang member discusses why young people turn to gangs
Carlos Vega is a former gang member who served 14 years in prison. Since he turned his life around, he’s been on mission to stop other young people from going down the same path. Vega is an intervention navigator for BUILD Chicago. The nonprofit, based on the West Side, focuses on high-risk youth. Vega said…
Read MoreBUILDing Futures Youth Attend Legal Boot Camp
This summer the young people in BUILD’s Building Futures Program are participating in a law internship and legal boot camp with Ropes & Gray LLP. So far, they have been introduced to corporate legal, injunction hearings, panel discussions, and a speaker series. In addition to learning how to use their skills and the law to solve problems,…
Read MoreBUILD in the NEWS: The Importance of Intervention when it Comes to Preventing Youth Violence
BUILD Director of Community Engagement, Juan Villalobos discussed the importance of intervention in preventing youth violence after two neighborhood shootings over the weekend. Watch HERE.
Read MoreBUILD Responds to President Biden’s Plan to Tackle Gun Violence in Chicago.
Watch BUILD’s CEO Adam Alonso on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight”
Cubs Charities Grant Supports BUILD Peace Softball League.
The Donna Dudley Peace Project started back in the mid-80s as a softball league to attract gang involved youth to play against each other and form healthier, more accepting relationships with rival gang members. After a year off due to the pandemic, the BUILD Peace League is back! And this summer it will continue to…
Read MoreBUILD’s Chief Program Officer Featured on ABC7’s “Our Chicago” Series
Chief Program Officer, Andres Alvear, talks with ABC7 Chicago’s Judy Hsu about what BUILD is doing to stop the violence in our communities and create safe and meaningful summer opportunities for our young people. Watch the segment here.
Read MoreAustin Has the Mic! Youth Reporters Share Community Stories
Austin Has the Mic is a youth media partnership between BUILD, Austin Coming Together and Westside Health Authority. The aim of partnership is to use digital media platforms and podcasting to reclaim the narrative of the west side, and empower youth participants and community members with a platform to tell the positive stories that larger news outlets too often neglect. Check out the…
Read MoreMax Cerda Appointed to the IDOC Prisoner Review Board
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…
Read MoreIn the Fight for Black and Brown Lives, the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Has Answered the Call
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…
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