The afternoon of Jan. 14, officials at BUILD received an email from one of the organization’s funders at the Illinois Department of Human Services. The email said that a five-year, $2.5 million state grant for mental health care and substance use prevention had been terminated, following the Trump administration’s decision to cut the federal funding.
Every year, $500,000 of that state grant funds BUILD’s violence prevention, gang intervention and youth development resources in Austin and Humboldt Park.
BUILD CEO Bradly Johnson told Austin Weekly News that, according to the email, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) told the IDHS on Jan. 13 that substance use prevention discretionary grants would be terminated, effective immediately.
Less than 24 hours later, BUILD was forwarded an email from a federal committee saying that the funding was reinstated. In the email, a congresswoman on the committee called out Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees SAMHSA — for making the funding cut without consulting the committee first.
“We would have lost prevention services, crisis response and the stabilizing support that many of our young people and families need at this time — when the needs are the highest they’ve ever been,” Johnson said.
He added that the federal funding cut impacts how much locals trust organizations like BUILD.
“When it comes to working with vulnerable populations — people who have experienced high levels of trauma, historical and systemic neglect — that trust comes at a premium. We work so hard to build that trust,” said Johnson.
When BUILD thought it would be down half a million dollars a year, Johnson said staff immediately started setting up a contingency plan. They identified BUILD programs and staff that are paid for with the grant money, along with the youth and families that would be impacted. They calculated how much money the organization had in reserves and its general operating fund and planned for other sources of funding.
“We were thinking about what’s at stake, but we also made a determination that we would not be stepping back. We would still figure out how to provide services to this population,” Johnson said.
Johnson said BUILD has committed to doubling down on seeking private funding from donors and foundations. The organization is also building up what Johnson calls “a resiliency fund, or an endowment.”
“We will never feel secure under the current administration,” Johnson said. He added that federal funding cuts could be a possibility even after Donald Trump is no longer president. “This can happen anytime in the future because of the cycles of how politics are interwoven into social services, and the mindset shifts that occur based on who’s in office.”
“My call to action is for individuals to invest in peace,” Johnson added. “Peace will not just happen.”
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Bradly Johnson named BUILD CEO
When Adam Alonso stepped down as BUILD’s CEO last summer to become CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, Bradly Johnson became interim CEO. Earlier this month, BUILD announced that Johnson would assume the role permanently.
Johnson has worked at BUILD for nearly a decade, as chief community officer, director of external affairs, director of core programs, and director of community engagement. His time at BUILD is just a portion of his 30-year long career in youth development and community work.
“In each role, he strengthened BUILD’s capacity to deliver its programs and services while deepening partnerships across the city,” BUILD officials said in a statement.
Johnson became interim CEO during a time of ICE activity and protests, cuts to SNAP benefits and other federal funding. According to BUILD’s statement, the stability Johnson provided during this period led to his full-time role.
“There was so much fear and uncertainty, even within the organization,” Johnson said, adding that he tried to instill “Hope with legs. We want you to believe [in BUILD’s mission], but here’s how we’re going to carry out that belief.” In the last six months, BUILD has continued to mobilize alongside its community partners to provide resources for local youth and families.
Johnson was also chosen as BUILD’s CEO for his experience in leadership and credibility within the community. Johnson said he’s built relationships across the West Side with nonprofits, businesses and elected officials at every level of government.
“Being able to have those relationships, move the needle and get people to work together is a strong determinant of who I am,” Johnson said.