CEO Update - April 2012

After School Matters Teens Dazzle, Honor Maggie Daley at 7th Annual Citywide Showcase

On March 28, more than 200 After School Matters teens took to the stage at the legendary Chicago Theatre to proudly display their creative talents and skills developed in After School Matters spring programs for nearly 2,000 family members, friends and supporters during our 7^th Annual Citywide Showcase.

The show's finale featured a heartfelt tribute to After School Matters Founder and Former Chair, the late Mrs. Maggie Daley. Alumni and the instructors of THA Music Lab-an After School Matters program that teaches teens about song-writing and production-performed "The Heart of the City," a song they wrote in honor of Mrs. Daley. During the performance, teen performers holding pink tulips in Mrs. Daley's memory filled the aisles and stage while the audience viewed a photo montage highlighting her work with the organization.    

Listen to Mrs Daley's tribute song and view the video montage on our YouTube page.

After School Matters Summer 2012 Registration Now Open; Programs Begin June 18

After School Matters is now accepting applications for its Summer program session, which begins June 18. Programs in all five After School Matters content areas - the arts, communications, science, sports and technology - will be offered at locations across the city, as well as Downtown at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts.

This summer, After School Matters will use $2 million allocated by the City of Chicago from funds collected through its crackdown on scofflaws to expand the number of opportunities by 50 percent. We will now be able to provide as many as 6,000 Chicago teens with the opportunity to explore and develop their talents in meaningful, safe and structured programs, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.     

After School Matters is proud to be a partner in One Summer Chicago, a collaborative effort launched by City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. The OneSummerChicago.org website allows youth to apply for jobs through a common application and provides registration information on more than 168,000 other recreational activities, including After School Matters summer apprenticeship and internship programs.

Teens interested in applying for After School Matters summer programs can also visit the "Teen" section of our website.

After School Matters Launches New Programs Serving Chicago Teens with Cognitive Disabilities

After School Matters is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative to serve Chicago teens with disabilities, offering two new pre-apprenticeship programs this spring that are designed for teens with special needs:

• At Ray Graham Training Center, a Chicago Public High School for cognitively disabled young adults, we are offering The Ray Graham Drumline program, led by expert percussionist and longtime After School Matters instructor Jayson Seymour. This comprehensive and rewarding musical percussion program teaches teens the fundamentals of drumming, while also enhancing their motor skills and cultivating the discipline required for teen participants to work together as a musical unit.

At Northside Learning Center, the Stage Stories Theater Arts Program is led by seasoned After School Matters instructor Evin Rayford. This performing arts program gives special needs teens the opportunity to express themselves through dramatic expression, improvisation and a variety of performance-based activities. Teens work on body awareness, movement and voice to increase verbal communication and enhance their motor skills, while also learning about post-secondary opportunities.

These programs are just another example of how After School Matters continues to build on the legacy of our Founder Maggie Daley. We are always looking for new ways to expand and increase our program offerings to ensure that every teen has the chance to participate in After School Matters programming, providing them with inspiration and encouragement to discover their potential and find their path to a meaningful life.

Vivo Restaurant Supports After School Matters with a Special Spring $20 Three-Course Menu

Through June 30, you can enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner at Vivo Restaurant while also supporting After School Matters.

After School Matters is excited to have been chosen by Vivo, located at 838 W. Randolph Street, as the beneficiary of a portion of the proceeds from a special spring menu created by its Executive Chef Vicente Duran in celebration of the restaurant's 20th anniversary.

After School Matters truly values local businesses, like Vivo, that believe in our mission of providing Chicago teens opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Proceeds from this special menu will support our work to provide Chicago teens with hands-on opportunities to discover their potential and find their path to a meaningful life.

Want More After School Matters News?

Visit the "Highlights" section of our website for frequent news and updates on After School Matters programs and to learn more about the accomplishments of our teens, instructors and alumni!