buildOn in the Bronx mobilizes high school students to embrace social responsibility, uplift their neighborhoods, and realize their fullest potential through the transformative power of community service. Through hands-on experiences, our Service Learning Program fosters agency, community engagement, and personal growth—equipping students with the tools they need to thrive as adults.

The Bronx

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Students from buildOn in the Bronx serve their communities across New York City by addressing gang violence, homelessness, and food insecurity. They partner with soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters, distribute meals on the streets, tutor and mentor younger children, spend time with seniors, support people living with disabilities, and lead projects that transform vacant lots into safe, productive green spaces.

Elevating The Bronx's Youth Through Service.

buildOn in the Bronx mobilizes high school students to embrace social responsibility, uplift their neighborhoods, and realize their fullest potential through the transformative power of community service.

Through hands-on experiences, our Service Learning Program fosters agency, community engagement, and personal growth—equipping students with the tools they need to thrive as adults.

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About buildOn in the Bronx

Since 1993, buildOn has been deeply embedded in the fabric of the Bronx and remains unwavering in its commitment to our students. We are rising to the challenge to continue our important work by engaging students in free service-learning programming in 23 Bronx high schools.

Students help combat hunger in the Bronx, where the cost of living is high, by distributing food to New Yorkers facing food insecurity.
Students help combat hunger in the Bronx, where the cost of living is high, by distributing food to New Yorkers facing food insecurity.
buildOn in the Bronx students visit local elementary schools and daycare centers to tutor and mentor younger students, serving as strong role models.
buildOn students visit local elementary schools and daycare centers in the Bronx to tutor and mentor younger students, serving as strong role models.
buildOn in the Bronx students stock local food pantries, such as the NY Common Pantry, to provide food for their neighbors in need.
buildOn students stock Bronx food pantries, such as the NY Common Pantry, to provide food for their neighbors in need.

Our Bronx Impact

6,830

students currently engaged

740,984

hours served in the community

98%

of buildOn students graduate high school

70%

of buildOn students attend college

Our Service Methodology

A buildOn student tutors younger children in their community

Service is at the heart of buildOn’s mission. Each week, students make a meaningful impact by serving those in need and helping improve their neighborhoods.

Seventy-five percent of buildOn activities focus on direct service, like serving meals, tutoring children, and connecting with seniors. The other twenty-five percent includes beautification projects, such as cleaning graffiti, creating public art, and planting gardens to feed their neighbors.

 

Zachary, Explorations Academy Student with buildOn in the Bronx.

“Serving with buildOn has taught me that people can make a difference—whether it’s two, five, or ten people, they can make a difference in some way.”

Zachary / Explorations Academy Student
Leila Tazi, Harry Truman High School Student with buildOn in the Bronx.

“The food pantries I volunteered at were the same ones my parents used. There’s this mentality that people in need have to be saved, but as a community, we already have the tools to help ourselves. What’s special about buildOn is that it’s not about saving you—it’s about supporting you, mentoring you, and working with you. We are the change.”

Leila Tazi / Harry Truman High School Student

Meet Laciann! A buildOn Alum.

buildOn in the Bronx alum Laciann Beadle is a Law & Society student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a focus on criminal justice reform and community leadership.

Through buildOn, I have the opportunity to create lasting change. We’ve worked to improve the quality of life in our communities through initiatives like food and clothing drives, as well as volunteering at soup kitchens and pantries.

Now, Laciann Beadle is a Law & Society student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a focus on criminal justice reform and community leadership.

Read Laciann’s Story

Have questions?

Please contact buildOn CT/NY Development Director Jon Mucciolo at jon.mucciolo@buildon.org for additional information about partnership opportunities.