From the beginning, seeded by inspiration and the desire to empower youth to transform themselves and their communities, buildOn has been about changing the world. And we are doing so, with results as impressive as the passion that drives the students who have dedicated themselves to buildOn’s mission.
Lives Changed
buildOn programs have already impacted generations of people and are also impacting thousands of people around the world every day.
- Runs 118 U.S. after-school programs (2009-10 school year)
- Operates in six U.S. regions: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania
- In the last 12 months, buildOn students contributed more than 133,231 hours of service to their communities, touching the lives of more than 276,516 elders, young children, and people who are homeless and disabled
- 97% of the U.S. high school students buildOn has worked with over the past six years have gone on to college
- Has built 340 schools in developing countries
- Currently builds schools in five countries: Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal and Nicaragua
- Has also built schools in Bolivia, Brazil, India and Senegal
- More than 52,000 children attend buildOn schools every day
- More than 136,000 children and adults have attended buildOn schools world-wide
- Since 1992, villagers have contributed more than 652,437 volunteer workdays to build schools in their communities
Inception
In 1990, while backpacking around the world, Jim Ziolkowski came upon a mountain village in Nepal in the midst of a joyous celebration for the opening of a new school. Though he’d only stopped for a cup of tea, Jim lingered long enough to be impressed by the outpouring of hope and pride so evident among the villagers. The jubilation he witnessed stayed with him.
Later, while working with GE Capital in Stamford, Connecticut, Jim couldn’t get that celebration out of his head. So in 1992 he left GE Capital and put his inspiration into action. Along with his brother Dave, Jim began devoting his efforts to buildOn. His vision was to create a program that would encourage American youth to change their lives and their communities while aiding people in developing countries to break the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and low expectations that grips so much of the world.
Drawing upon the ardor for education that he’d witnessed in Nepal, Jim headed to Brazil with his brother Dave and friend Erik Dorf to build the first school. During the construction of the first three schools, they developed buildOn’s unique methodology to engage communities in the building of schools. Upon returning to the U.S., Jim focused his efforts on engaging U.S. students through after-school programs which empower them locally and connect them with the international school building projects.
Through the support of many inspiring and hard-working volunteers, countless challenges were overcome. buildOn was incorporated in 1991, and since then Jim has been President and CEO. Marc Friedman was an early volunteer and strong supporter. He joined buildOn full time in 1997 and is now Chief Operating Officer.
Milestones
Eighteen years after breaking ground on its first school, buildOn is more vital than ever, with many milestones along the way:
- 1992: First U.S.-based buildOn after-school program launched at Jim’s high school alma mater in Jackson, Michigan
- 2001: 50th buildOn school, built in Nicaragua
- 2003: 50th U.S.-based program, launched at Marble Hill High School in New York City
- 2004: 100th buildOn school, built in Mali
- 2006: 150th buildOn school, built in Mali
- 2007: 100th U.S.-based program, launched at Clemente High School in Chicago, Illinois
- 2007: 200th buildOn school, built in Nicaragua
- 2008: 250 buildOn schools up and running around the world; 130 after-school programs throughout the U.S.
- 2009: 300th buildOn school, built in Malawi
"It is imperative that we engage exponentially more youth in this life-changing work. One day we hope to live in a world with empowered youth, strong communities and access to education for all." - Jim Ziolkowski