Important Update From BUILD, Inc.
Dear Friends and Colleagues, BUILD has always put the safety of our youth and our communities first, and this drives all our decisions. As a community institution, it’s also our responsibility to think bigger, and be part of collective, state-wide action to slow down the spread of COVID-19 as it threatens the most vulnerable members…
Read MoreImportant Update from BUILD Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
BUILD has always put the safety of our youth and our communities first, and this drives all our decisions. In the case of the CPS strike, for example, we opened our doors and extended our hours to give *all* youth a safe place to go during that time. Today, we are facing another challenge to…
Read MoreThank you!
We want to thank everybody who supported our youth at BUILD’s annual Art Show, 365 +1: Stories Around The Sun this weekend! Whether you attended the show or bid from home, you were part of an incredible night that will help our youth continue to counter violence with creativity and connection. And, it’s not over yet: BUILD still needs…
Read MoreBUILD Receives Access to Justice Grant
We were proud to join the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Westside Justice Center, and The Resurrection Project as we announced the 60 non-profit organizations selected as recipients of the Access to Justice Grants Program (A2J). Access to Justice is an Illinois statewide program that seeks to mitigate the devastating consequences of incarceration and…
Read MoreChicago Bulls Dish out a Pair of Assists at BUILD
We want to send a special thank you to Chicago Bulls point guard Ryan Arcidiacono and agent Joel Bell for coming out to BUILD and providing our youth with first-hand insight into different types of careers in sports! (Stay tuned for the podcast our youth led with Arcidiacono as well!) We also want to thank the Chicago Bulls Community…
Read MoreBehind the Scenes with BUILD Youth
We are proud of our Bridges to Pathways youth for writing, directing, acting in, and shooting their own short film! Their piece speaks out against bullying, and will premiere in April. Thanks to our friends International Children’s Media Center for inspiring BUILD youth with this awesome program!
Read MoreBUILDing Futures Hosts Wellness Session
Our BUILDing Futures team recently hosted a youth wellness session at BUILD Headquarters. Youth were able to enjoy a peaceful 60 minute yoga session and learn about mandalas and henna tattoos. The group also created their own ‘stress-less’ self care boxes that included chocolate, stress balls, face masks, silly puddy, lip balm, smooth rocks, and positive reflective messages, and…
Read MoreMidnight Mingle Social For Our BG2W Participants
BUILD’s female focused program, BG2W, recently hosted their first midnight mingle social. This was the first time that participants from all five cohorts got to meet for a night full of activities. From DIY lip gloss, body scrubs, face masks and bath bombs, to jewelry making, nail painting and an eyebrow bar! They ended the…
Read MoreBUILD Supports Invest South West Initiative
There was a lot of focus, excitement and intense conversation recently as organizations in Austin, Humboldt Park and North Lawndale came together to hear more about the Mayor’s plans to bring $750 million to the South and West Sides in Chicago. BUILD was there connecting with city leaders and making art with our community. Learn more about this unprecedented…
Read MoreCelebrating The Life Of Martin Luther King Jr.
BUILD staff, youth, neighborhood residents, the Chicago Police Department and several volunteers from Starbucks and Playworks came together on January 20 in celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through service to others. We came together in an effort to reconnect, transform, uplift, and inspire youth, staff, and community. In honor of Dr.…
Read More