BUILD works collaboratively with civic partners for a better Chicago.
BUILD and our partners support youth by engaging in depth with their community. This involvement includes opening doors to resources that promote and support mental and physical health. A healthy community is an important safety net for our young people.
Crisis Response Unit
BUILD’s 8-member on-call Crisis Response Unit (CRU), recruited from our communities, provides immediate support to victims after an incidence of violence, through a wide range of services: transportation to the hospital, police station, or home; assistance communicating with loved ones; help understanding their rights and role in police investigations, and connection to critical resources like emergency financial assistance, relocation, or help with victims compensation application.
ReCAST: Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma
The overall goal of ReCAST is for communities, providers and city entities to work together in order to build strong relationships, increased resources, and improved health that leads to sustainable reductions in trauma throughout the city of Chicago. For more information visit: www.recastchicago.org.
What is resilience? Resilience is the awareness and power of a person, family, organization or community to find, use, and create resources to recover from challenges and generate positive change.
ART: The Austin Response Team
A BUILD partnership with the 15th District precinct. The team works in the neighborhoods to proactively connect residents to resources such as counseling, healthcare and other necessary services provided by our partners. Each week, the 15th District’s Austin Response Team takes over a corner in the community and provides free food, live music and resource tables. Residents who want information about upcoming events and initiatives by the Austin Response Team can text ARTNOW to 64600.
PlayStreets Chicago
BUILD participates in this collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health. It allows residents to establish short-term traffic restrictions on their streets to use as pop-up recreation spaces. The goal is to create healthier and stronger communities by offering safe and accessible residential play areas for kids to be active, to learn, and for neighbors to come together. PlayStreets activations create safe spaces to build shared values promoting physical activity, healthy snack/food options, mental wellness, and foster social cohesion.
Restorative Justice & Peace Circles
Restorative Justice has been a philosophy and way of life for many who have overcome trauma as a means by which healing is promoted. Relationships are cultivated and conversations are promoted as it addresses the hurt, by helping to address harm; both experienced and caused. Various practices of Restorative Justice includes: Circles, Restorative Conferencing / Conversations, Conflict Resolution, and more.
Community Ambassadors
The Community Ambassadors become an essential part of the neighborhood. They promote activities that engage residents and also provide Trauma-Informed Practices, and engage in Violence Prevention to help promote resilience, support and health in communities faced with trauma and civil unrest.
Need help? Contact our Community Outreach Manager, Alden Bell at aldenbell@buildchicago.org or call 773-227-2880.
