In The News

By Hosea Sanders ABC7 Chicago CHICAGO (WLS) — Young filmmakers from around the world are sharing their work through a virtual film festival. The event has been put together by some local kids who are, themselves, aspiring filmmakers from inner-city Chicago. Worldscene Film Festival will feature eight films from five…

By Pascal Sabino Block Club Chicago AUSTIN — A virtual film festival developed by young people on the West Side will showcase eight short films from around the world, including one film written and produced by the local teens. The jury and creators of the WorldScene Film Festival are participants…

Thank you Larry Potash, WGN TV, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and our partners at International Children’s Media Center for supporting such an inspiring series of films. Watch the spot at: https://www.facebook.com/LarryPotash/videos/549592485929767/

BUILD has been lifting up youth in Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods since 1969. It started with street violence intervention and gang detachments, but has now expanded to after-school programs; academic and college counseling; art, music, and sports leagues; community outreach; and mental health care. BUILD youth were teens and tweens growing up…

By Shreya BansalMedill Reports CHICAGO — It’s the day before Thanksgiving and a group of young and old men have come out to play football as a part of their “turkey bowl.” When a police car passes by, the officers wave and smile at the players. One of the older…

CHICAGO — It’s the day before Thanksgiving and a group of young and old men have come out to play football as a part of their “turkey bowl.” When a police car passes by, the officers wave and smile at the players. One of the older men waves back and…

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…

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…

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…

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…