7 | 02 | 09

BUILD's 40th Anniversary Dinner is a Huge Success!
On May 6, 2009, BUILD's Dinner Committee hosted a fabulous party at the River East Art Center. Four hundred supporters joined together with BUILD as we celebrated 40 years of serving Chicago's youth. BUILD's youth were able to show off their amazing artistic talents. On display were painting, photography, and Brand BUILD jewelry, as well as poetry that was performed during the evening. The newly formed BUILD choir opened the evening with a rousing rendition of the song "A Brand New Day."

Joining the celebration was BUILD alumnus, actor and producer Freddy Rodriguez. Freddy Rodriguez was there not only to celebrate BUILD's anniversary, but to honor Executive Director Alfredo 'Freddy' Calixto. After serving BUILD for over 30 years, including 15 years as Executive Director, Freddy Calixto is retiring from BUILD. Freddy Rodriguez recalled how BUILD and Freddy Calixto had helped him to choose the right path.

BUILD's Board of Directors has named Roslind Blasingame-Buford as Interim Executive Director. Roslind has been with BUILD for over seven years and most recently has been the agency's Associate Executive Director.

Thanks to all who made this such an extraordinary event! Special thanks to BUILD's youth who shared their stories and dreams through the creative arts! You can read more about the event here and view photos from the night. Also, check out NBC 5's story on Freddy Rodriguez and BUILD.

Exelon Volunteer Week
BUILD extends a huge THANK YOU to the volunteers from Exelon who completed an array of projects for BUILD as part of their annual Volunteer Week. This year, Exelon volunteers painted BUILD's computer lab and space at BUILD's Humboldt Park After School program, and completed a mural project alongside BUILD's youth.

Several volunteers took on the project of providing a webpage for the Brand BUILD program. They attended Brand BUILD beading sessions, and worked with the young ladies offering marketing training. They conducted role-playing sessions so that the young ladies would be prepared for selling their beautiful jewelry at BUILD's annual dinner. Please check out the beautiful page developed by the volunteers and if you are interested in hosting a Brand BUILD sale, please contact Alexis at ahardy@buildchicago.org. 

BUILD Youth Honored at Bulls Game 
Exelon's Stay In School Initiative mentoring program provides BUILD's youth with job readiness and career development workshops by Exelon employees. The workshops focus youth on business basics and interview/presentation skill development. In recognition of his participation in the program and the growth that he has shown over the past year, BUILD youth Quentin L. and his family were invited to attend a recent Bulls game as a guest of Exelon. Quentin was brought down court-side to be recognized. Way to go, Quentin!  

Support BUILD and Have Fun! 
Join a group of dedicated volunteers, BUILD's Fun Raising Committee, who are coming together to plan a wine tasting event in October to benefit BUILD. This will be our 4th annual October event and we need YOU to make it our most successful event ever! Our next meeting will be August 5th at 6pm. Please contact Amber at amber@buildchicago.org for details. The committee helps to raise Fun, Friends and Funds for BUILD.

6 | 19 | 09
BUILD Needs Your Support!
If legislators do not act immediately, major cuts in youth service programs will go into effect on July 1.
On May 31st, the Illinois General Assembly passed a budget that will drastically reduce youth services in Illinois, including BUILD's Teen REACH funded program in Humboldt Park. Across the state, the Teen REACH program serves 27,000 youth.
 
BUILD's Teen REACH funded program serves 75 youth age 6-17 during the critical after school hours of 2:30 - 7:00pm, Monday - Friday. Without the state's support, BUILD will be forced to reduce services that provide youth with positive alternatives to gangs and violence.
 
BUILD staff, parents and youth attended a budget rally at the Thompson Center on June 18 to voice our objection to this "doomsday budget." See below for how you can take action.
 
How You Can Take Action
>> Contact the governor's office and your legislators today and every day!  Demand that they do the right thing by passing a fair budget.

>> You can also contact the four legislative leaders who have been meeting periodically with the governor. 
          House Speaker Michael Madigan: (773) 581-8000 or mmadigan@ilga.gov
          House Minority Leader Tom Cross: (815) 254-0000 or tom@tomcross.com
          Senate President John Cullerton: (773) 883-0770 or john@senatorcullterton.com
          Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno: (630) 243-0800 or cradogno@sbcglobal.net

>> Support BUILD! Donate now.

Who Is Impacted?
The children and working families of Illinois. The 50% budget will leave thousands of children in Illinois with no place to go after school.  Some benefits of quality after-school programs are:

>> Reducing crime and risks of unhealthy and unsafe behavior by young people. Students who spend no time in extracurricular activities are 49% more likely to have used drugs and 37% more likely to become teen parents than those who spend 1 to 4 hours per week in activities.

>> Increased student achievement in math, reading and other subjects.

>> Greater student commitment to homework completion and greater engagement in class work.

>> Cost effectiveness: after-school programs save tax payer dollars. One study indicated that for every $1 spent on after-school produced benefits to the public worth $3.

>> Improved family support and involvement in education.  Parents with children in after-school programs have more participation in school activities and are more active in their children's education.