I was a mentor for 3 years and had such a great time working with the students. We truly did everything a real startup would do -- from creating a business plan, to pitching an investor, to actually making & selling a product. Every week was challenging & fun in their own way. I loved being able to share my expertise & also connect with students one-on-one.

I manage Box Inc's relationships with nonprofits globally. Our ACT10x volunteering committee leaders and other Boxers who have worked with BUILD have had excellent things to say about them. We hope to continue to deepen our relationship with them. :)!

I joined BUILD as a mentor for the spirit of entrepreneurship and partnership it embodies, and the promise of a dignifying future for the less privileged. At BUILD students learn valuable skills they can use in college such as project management, inter-personal communication and presentation, and meet professionals from varied backgrounds in a fun and engaging setting. It's rare to find such a diverse group with several generations learning from each other, eliminating social boundaries and exchanging lots of positive thoughts! BUILD team - managers and instructors - are doing an impressive job organizing this class and engaging students and mentors as well. As mentors, we work in collaboration with the students on their projects but the truth is they are the project. It is very gratifying to be with them at this important time of their lives when they are making their way through. This program made a great impression on me and surely on our young BUILDERS. I am certain that the students at Sequoia will remember this elective class long after they will graduate from college.

I attended my second mentor session yesterday. I was quite impressed with the teacher, the other mentors, and the kids themselves developing mature awareness, effective execution and meaningful purpose with these 9th graders. What an advantage these 9th graders would have if they have the vision that what they learn and do today if help them be successful and happy after high school. This is one of the reasons why I liked BUILD today.

As a funny story, over 12 years old I rented Suzanne Kahr her first workplace. Even then I could smell BUILD's success.

This is the second year that I am mentoring for Build, and I am extremely impressed with the professionalism and dedication of both the staff and the students. The program is well run and the trajectory from classroom to college is well thought through and directed. The students are given a lot of freedom to be creative and they are empowered to run their businesses on their own. It's great to work with the students and to experience a curriculum that will set them up for success in high school and beyond.

This is my third year mentoring young women from Skyline High in Oakland. It has been wonderful to see them grow and learn and develop confidence. What I like about BUILD is that it is a comprehensive program that focuses on developing a broad set of business / presentation / life skills through the entrepreneurial part of the program, but it also incorporates a focus on academics as well as prep for college. The result is a very high success rate in getting at risk kids into college. There is an incredibile amount of support provide in a number of different areas, that these kids likely would not be getting otherwise. I also have to say that the staff is wonderful and so committed to each student's success.

I was a Build mentor for 4 years from 2009-2013. I worked with the same group from their Freshman year until they graduated as Seniors. It was immensely gratifying to see these students grow and mature. The context of Build let me get to know these students as people and I think I will stay in touch with my mentoring group long after they've graduated. I'm really invested in their lives.

I have been a mentor, meeting with BUILD students once a week, for the last 2 years. BUILD is a unique program that both provides academic support for students as well as allows them the opportunity to start a real business. BUILD students get a chance to present a full business plan, meet with venture capitalists to get seed money and then get to put their plan into action, manufacturing and selling their products.

I have been greatly impressed with the BUILD staff who work tirelessly to support these students all the way to applying for colleges.

I've just begun volunteering as mentor to 9th grade students this year. BUILD provides a tremendous opportunity for adults in the community to work with kids who may not otherwise be exposed to what its like to develop and implement a project. The program teaches the kids to tap into their creativity, develop ideas, make presentations, be professional, experience setbacks and learn to persevere through them, and generally develop skills in communicating and working with others. The kids are wonderful - they're enthusiastic, they work hard, they care about their assignments, and they have so much energy. The BUILD staff and the teachers in the schools they serve are dedicated and committed to working with the kids, and the kids really respond to that attention and focus they see in the adults around the, Its an honor to be a mentor and I hope to see all of the 9th graders I've been working with graduate and go on to college.

I have been a Business Plan Judge for Oakland, I'm on my second year as a Student Mentor in East Oakland, and recently joined their Bay Area Advisory Board. I have been most impressed with the efficacy of this organization and their ability to dramatically change the lives of the youth that participate in BUILD.

1) The first thing you notice when you volunteer with BUILD is how organized and professional they are, from the guided curriculum to the volunteer training and coordination.
2) The second is the talent, passion and enthusiam of the staff that support these amazing high school students.
3) Finally, the passion and caring nature of the mentors that volunteer their time to help these kids succeed in high school, in college, and in life.

While BUILD targets the most dis-engaged youth with the fewest resources in some tough neighborhoods...the attitudes, confidence and talent among these youth is heart warming and astounding. Providing them someone who is guiding them and believing them is a true recipe for success. I've seen first hand youth turn from a life with gangs and drugs, on the path to being a High School Dropout, to being straight A students.

Thank you BUILD for all that you do!

I mentor with Build once a week. I first hand see the dedication this group of individuals has with these young adults. They are actively working to create an environment where young people are valued in society and feel that value.

Face to face time with my mentees every week in a environment outside of school where there may be environmental pressures also ensures success of this program.

BUILD offers a depth and breadth of learning that is unmatched by other organizations targeting this demographic. The idea of brainstorming and then actually creating a unique product offers students real-life perspective into the business world and what it takes to be successful. They not only build soft skills such as teamwork and negotiation, but also hard skills such as cost management and pricing. As a professional in the business world, I am glad to be able to parlay my day-to-day knowledge to the students.

The students' enthusiasm for entrepreneurship is amazing and so is their personal conduct. I cannot believe that these teenagers come from disengaged and low-income communities, because they are organized, well-spoken, disciplined, and creative in solving problems.

I can only imagine how far the students have come and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help them grow further and succeed as adults.

This organization is run extremely well. Having face-to-face access to students allows for rich and meaningful impact. The 1/week consistent meeting frequency is an excellent way to optimize time with students and see their growth over time. The program and site directors are top notch and provide a full support system for mentors and students alike. I highly recommend participating in or funding this nonprofit.

I am a small business owner and high school teacher, and I have been volunteering as a business mentor with BUILD for 3 years now. BUILD has set me up with a co-mentor and four students that have really become an extended family. I've seen marked improvements, some radically stark improvements, from all four of my mentees in the past few years as a result of their interactions with me and my co-mentor, and their involvement in the program. I have no doubt in my mind that BUILD is the reason at least two of my students are on track to graduating high school at all.
BUILD provides the structure and support for student success through their model. It's not to say that every student buys in, and every mentor commits long-term, but the system is in place for this to occur. I think

Read an article I wrote about my experience with BUILD...

http://section925.com/2013/06/27/get-stoaked-an-oakland-clothing-line-is-determined-to-challenge-perceptions/

Being a BUILD mentor is a big commitment but an amazing way to make a tangible difference. I've worked with a small group of students for 3 years, and I've seen them grow into really sharp young entrepreneurs. BUILD gives them an opportunity to flex their intelligence and work ethic in a way that doesn't feel as forced as school. If you want a way to help close the achievement gap in just a couple of hours a week, this is an organization that does that work in a way that few others do and that leverages mentors' knowledge of the professional world.

I've only been working with BUILD for a few weeks so far and am so glad I am able to be a part of this organization! They have a wonderful mission and treat their students, families, staff, and volunteers with respect and enthusiasm. I can't wait to see what the future holds for BUILD!

Instead of whining about how bad things are, I started volunteering at a place where I could help real people build real skills and learn life lessons that will be with them forever. By helping kids graduate from high school and successfully pursue post-secondary school, Build.org helps our young citizens create future wealth and build tomorrow's society. Every day I am impressed and pleased at how these kids mature and learn and figure things out. These are good kids who are up to the challenge, and take our help and mentoring seriously. They put the lie to ridiculous stereotypes and fear mongering. I am more than happy to have helped them along their path.

At BUILD, I can volunteer by doing what I love - brainstorm how to start a business! I love business and want to help others. The BUILD method has found an incredible way for me to help youth achieve their goals and get into college by teaching them business schools. The most impressive thing about BUILD is how well run it is. From the very first session, BUILD has planned activities that make facilitating relationships with your mentees incredibly easy and natural.

I tell all my friends about how great my experience is.