BUILD Chicago

06/02/2026

Celebrating the end of an amazing school year with a final BUILD field trip to Dave & Buster's with our Nash 8th graders! We are so proud of everything these young people have accomplished, and we're excited to see them take the next step into high school and all they will achieve in the years ahead.

06/02/2026

This Friday, June 5, BUILD is joining communities across the country for National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Wear orange and stand with us at our annual March Against Gun Violence as we honor those impacted by violence and call for safer communities.
🧡 Event begins at 2 PM at BUILD
🧡 March steps off at 3 PM
🧡 Community Play Streets pop-up to follow at our Austin Campus
Register for your FREE Wear Orange shirt and join the movement: https://bit.ly/BUILDWEARSORANGE2026

06/01/2026

BUILD is still recruiting teams for our summer softball league! The Donna Dudley Peace League kicks off Monday June 22 at Humboldt Park with games every Monday through August. Want to join the fun? Visit https://bit.ly/ddpp2026 to register your team.

06/01/2026

So great to celebrate the talent on display at Duke Ellington Elementary! We recently hosted a special art show featuring original works created by BUILD youth and mentors through our in-school programs.
These projects are part of helping young people explore creativity, build confidence, and express themselves in different ways—because sometimes you don’t need words to share how you feel.

05/29/2026

What a powerful day at our Annual Restorative Justice Conference. Inspired by the historic Palenque, this year’s gathering explored practical ways to confront injustice and closing gabs between Black and Brown communities.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in thought-provoking workshops, heard from inspiring speakers, and celebrated the leaders making a difference through this work.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in advancing justice, healing, and community. We’re grateful to be part of this important work together.

05/28/2026

We are here until 5pm! Get fresh garden produce for FREE - today and every Thursday until October 29th.

05/28/2026

Tickets still available! Join just tomorrow for BUILD's 6th Annual Restorative Justice Conference happening at our campus!

Learn more and get your ticket at https://bit.ly/build-rjc

05/27/2026

Last night, BUILD CEO Bradly Johnson joined leaders from across Chicago for a WTTW News panel discussion on police-community relations, violence prevention, and public safety.

As Bradly shared during the conversation, trust between communities and police cannot simply be assumed — it must be intentionally created through relationships, accountability, and shared decision-making.

“If you don’t have a relationship, you can never feel safe in any way, shape or measure.”

We’re grateful to WTTW News for creating space for this important conversation and to everyone working to build safer communities through trust and collaboration.

Host Brandis Friedman and audience members put questions to a Chicago Police Department official, leaders of local anti-violence nonprofits and community-police organizations to try and assess the current state of community and police relationships.

05/26/2026

Every kid deserves a place to play.
Last week, Laureus Sport for Good USA, fellow youth organizations, and advocates called for renewed investment in sports-based youth development programs across Illinois.
Positive sport experiences do more than build athletic skills — they create opportunities for mentorship, belonging, leadership, and healthy development.
As state budget negotiations continue, we urge lawmakers to support funding that expands access to quality sports programs for youth across our communities.
Thank you to Laureus for leading this important effort and to our legislators for taking the time to hear directly from advocates and youth-serving organizations.

Omar Aquino La Shawn K Ford State Senator Karina Villa State Senator Lakesia Collins State Senator Graciela Guzman

05/26/2026

Every kid deserves a place to play. Last week, Laureus, fellow youth organizations, and advocates called for renewed investment in sports-based youth development programs across Illinois. As budget negotiations continue, we urge lawmakers to support funding that expands access to quality sports programs for youth.