BUILD Inc. Celebrates 49 Years of Youth Impact at Annual Gala

BUILD, Inc. (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) celebrated 49 years of impacting Chicago’s youth at its annual dinner April 27. BUILDing Opportunity, Transforming the Future raised a record-breaking $725,000 for its youth programing.

Three awards were given to BUILD’s greatest, long-standing supporters: Jim and Kelly McShane were awarded the BUILDer of the Year Award; Danny Wirtz received BUILD’s 2018 Corporate Angel Award on behalf of Breakthru Beverage Illinois; and Pam Scholl of the Dr. Scholl Foundation accepted the Leader in Philanthropy Award.

BUILD changes young lives by engaging at-risk youth, both in and out of the classroom, and helping kids realize their full career potential. BUILD also works to keep the city’s neighborhoods safe for our kids and young adults to thrive. BUILD was named a Make It Better Philanthropy Award Winner in 2017.

BUILD Inc.: Danny Wirtz, Adam Alonso and BUILD Youth presenter — Danny Wirtz accepting BUILD’s 2018 Corporate Angel Award on behalf of Breakthru Beverage Illinois, joined by BUILD Executive Director Adam Alonso and BUILD Youth presenter (Photo courtesy of BUILD Inc.)

BUILD Inc.: Jim and Kelly McShane, Adam Alonso and BUILD Youth presenter — BUILDer of the year honorees Jim and Kelly McShane, joined by BUILD Executive Director Adam Alonso and BUILD Youth presenter (Photo courtesy of BUILD Inc.)

BUILD Inc.: Pam Scholl, Adam Alonso and BUILD Youth presenter — Pam Scholl of the Dr. Scholl Foundation accepting the Leader in Philanthropy Award, joined by BUILD Executive Director Adam Alonso and BUILD Youth presenter (Photo courtesy of BUILD Inc.)

Impact: BUILD’s Education program helps youth develop leadership skills, graduate high school, and prepares young people for college through college visits and the world of work through job readiness workshops. (Photo courtesy of BUILD Inc.)

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Emily Stone is Associate Editor at Make It Better. She earned a degree in journalism from Elon University in North Carolina. Along with writing, Stone has a passion for digital storytelling and photography. Her work is published in Chicago Athlete Magazine. Stone is a supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Stone is a fluent Spanish speaker who in her free time loves a good dance class.

Better Makers: BUILD Inc. Celebrates 49 Years of Youth Impact at Annual Gala