A BUILD Parent Reflects on The Program

I knew that BUILD was a place where teenagers have the opportunity of starting their own businesses. At the beginning I thought that they only had the experience and knowledge of the BUILD staff to guide them through this hard process, but when I found out that they would be presenting their business plans to Venture Capitalists and executives at major companies like WebEx, I was amazed and thrilled by these great life experiences. When Alfonso came home after his team had presented their business plan he told me that he and his team were treated like true business entrepreneurs. I was very impressed. At first this was hard for Alfonso and his teammates but then he felt comfortable and this gave him great security in himself.

All of the BUILD staff transmits nothing but warmth, security, friendship, love, trust, and moral support to all of the students. BUILD is an excellent program to help the students stay positive, and helps them become more social and accustomed to the business world.

BUILD has an excellent academic support program. The students always have mentors to help them with their homework, they have laptops, textbooks, and they even have an SAT class free of charge to them. BUILD takes the students on two college fieldtrips a year which helps the students get a better sense of the college life and the colleges themselves. BUILD leads the students on the right path. The staff is a good role model to the students, they show nothing but good qualities, they teach the students good qualities that help them become better human beings, students, and entrepreneurs.

Personally, I’m very thankful to all the BUILD organization. I thank them for all the help, time, support, effort, and love that they have given to my son. I’ve noticed that BUILD has helped him mature tremendously.

Elena V.
Parent of Alfonso, BUILD Class of 2009