BUILD is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. Since 1969, BUILD has helped thousands of at-risk youth escape gangs and violence to become positive leaders of their communities. We mentor young people who face the steepest obstacles, reaching 3500 youth a year in Austin, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Logan Square, and Fuller Park.

BUILD helps young people beat the odds by offering positive, empowering in-school, after-school and out-of-school programs, including BUILD’s new Arts Academy, fine arts and jewelry-making workshops, academic tutoring, health education, athletic leagues and poetry and public speaking activities.

BUILD helps inspire youth to look beyond the barriers in their lives and re-imagine a future filled with opportunity and achievement. Our BUILDing Futures Program exposes low-income, often-overlooked students to the possibility of becoming the first in their families to go to college, graduate and create careers, connecting them to resources they need to achieve their aspirations.
