buildOn in Chicago: Celebrating 20 Years of Service and Impact

For 20 years, buildOn has been igniting opportunity across Chicago. Since 2005, our Service Learning Program has helped thousands of students from under-resourced neighborhoods in the Windy City become leaders by serving others in their schools, neighborhoods, and around the world.

Today, we celebrate two decades of powerful youth-led change. And we do it with gratitude for the students, families, staff, educators, and supporters who made it possible.

The Impact of 20 Years

buildOn students in Chicago have contributed hundreds of thousands (519,474 to be exact!) of service hours to their communities. From tutoring younger students to fighting food insecurity and helping out at community gardens and parks, their efforts have transformed neighborhoods and built lasting bonds.

And the results speak for themselves: 98% of buildOn students graduate from high school, far outpacing their peers in schools where buildOn isn’t present. These young leaders go on to college, careers, and lifelong service—70% of buildOn students go on to pursue higher education.

“The pride our students take in the number of service hours they’ve devoted to their communities is so incredibly inspiring,” says Courtney Gentleman, buildOn in Chicago’s Board Chair. “Sometimes the smallest acts of service have the biggest ripple effects.”

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A Movement That Changes Lives

For alumni like Veshawn Young, the impact of buildOn is personal.

“buildOn helped me to see that being different is not wrong. It helped me to see myself as different from what people believe a young black man from my neighborhood is like.”

“It changed my view of my community too,” he adds. “Because it helped me see that I have to be part of the change for the change to happen.”

He still remembers his first service project: cooking lunch and playing games with veterans. One vet that he called Pops shared lessons Veshawn carries to this day. “He truly put a lot of knowledge in my head,” he recalls.

“buildOn helped me see that I have to be part of the change for the change to happen.” —Veshawn Young, buildOn in Chicago Alum

Samuel Anthony, another alum, first joined when buildOn was still called Building with Books after thinking it was just a book club. But it quickly became something much more.

“Students from all different walks of life were able to come together and serve our school and community like one big family because of buildOn,” Samuel says. “It showed us that everyone could not only coexist, but build relationships with others no matter where we came from.”

“buildOn has been and continues to be a light in the city of Chicago,” he adds.

A Day That Stays With You

Courtney recalls a buildOn MLK Day service project that brought students, staff, teachers, board members, and families together to beautify a school.

“The combo of service, purpose, learning, and family made for such a memorable, fun day,” she says.

These kinds of immersive service experiences are what make buildOn so much more than a program. They’re critical moments that shape who students become. They’re happening in Chicago every week across 6 high schools—and have been since 2005.

“buildOn has been and continues to be a light in the city of Chicago.” —Samuel Anthony, buildOn in Chicago Alum

From Chicago to the World

buildOn doesn’t just inspire local service—it connects students to the world. Through Trek, students from Chicago have helped build schools in some of the world’s economically poorest countries. 

To date, buildOn has constructed nearly 3,000 schools in eight countries, serving more than 380,000 children and adults. And Chicago students have played a major role in that over the past 20 years.

“Going to Africa, to Burkina Faso, and seeing the love, the community, the inspiration and the will of the people to push forward, and to know I am a part of making something better really stuck with me,” Veshawn says.

Matt Stokes, another buildOn in Chicago alum, frequently reflects on his Trek experience, years later. “I helped construct a school in a rural Nicaraguan village. We lived in the jungle for two weeks during the rainy season, which made the experience all the more intense and memorable,” he recalls. “I learned not to take educational opportunities for granted, to appreciate what I have, and to support and empower others who are working hard to achieve their dreams.”

The Future Is Bright

buildOn in Chicago Executive Director Daniel Gaudette is celebrating 20 years in Chicago by looking forward to the next 20. “It’s both humbling and inspiring to look back on two decades of igniting leadership, fostering community, and uplifting lives. As we celebrate this anniversary, we recommit to deepening our impact and nurturing the next generation of changemakers.”

And he’s not alone. As Board Chair, Courtney is also excited about what’s next. “We have so much opportunity to spread the word about buildOn in Chicago. When people experience buildOn, they get hooked. It’s not a matter of if you’ll get involved, but when.”

This year, that momentum is growing. A successful first-ever charity golf event. An expanding board. And a city full of students ready to step up and serve.

The Work Continues

For Samuel, Matt, and Veshawn, that growth is personal. “I’m glad to have been a small part of a big mission. I pray the next 20 years are even more impactful,” says Samuel. 

“I have seen buildOn recruit, train, and empower many students from my high school to take an active role in shaping the future of Chicago,” Matt explains. “I am excited for the students who will have the opportunity to join buildOn and experience the same transformative journey.”

“I have a son now and I will instill in him what I learned in buildOn,” Veshawn adds. “I want to help him to believe that life is more than what you see in your neighborhood and if you want change, you have to be a part of the change.” 

“It makes my heart smile to know that buildOn didn’t begin with me—and it won’t end with me.”

Want to fund 20 more years of service and transformation in Chicago? Make a tax-deductible donation today to support our programs in the Windy City.