FAQs

What does After School Matters do?

We are a non-profit organization that offers Chicago teens innovative out-of-school activities through its science37, sports37, tech37, words37 and the nationally recognized gallery37 programs. We provide these programs through a network of public and private partnerships that include the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library and community organizations throughout the city. Our hands-on programs expose teens to rewarding careers and help them develop marketable job skills.

Where are After School Matters programs located?

Our programs take place all across Chicago. We offer programs at 57 campus sites and more than 100 community organizations. A campus site consists of a high school, its local park, and library.

What is a campus site?

A campus site consists of a high school, its local park, and library.

How do teens apply for After School Matters programs?

Teens interested in After School Matters programs must complete two steps.

1.) Apply online through Youth Ready Chicago. Online applications are usually available one month before programs begin.

For fall programs - apply in September
For spring programs - apply in December
For summer programs - apply in early May

2.) Teens must interview and/or audition with an After School Matters instructor. Teens can set up interviews with instructors by following the instructions after their online application.

What kinds of programs does After School Matters offer?

We offer programs using three models: clubs, apprenticeships, and internships. Collectively, this structure is known as the “Ladder of Opportunity.” Teens can start on any “rung” as long as they have the requisite skills, commitment, and maturity.

Club programs offer a structured environment with a variety of positive activities in which teens explore interests, make new friends and have fun — all under the supervision of a caring adult. A short list of Club offerings include: intramural sports, ballroom dance, book clubs, choir, and weightlifting. Teens are eligible to participate as often as they want and in as many activities as they want.

Apprenticeship programs offer teens hands-on activities alongside adults who are professionals in their fields. Apprenticeships operate at three levels of complexity: pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and advanced apprenticeship. Teens apply online and interview competitively for the apprenticeships. Similarly, teen apprentices at all levels are expected to have good attendance and then receive a stipend for their commitment.

Internship programs involve recommending teens for short-term job opportunities in real-world employment environments at companies in the Chicago area.  Through these experiences, teens develop a practical understanding of workplace expectations and the soft and technical skills required of any marketable job candidate.  The internship experiences also allow teens to establish employer references and future career contacts, build their resumes, and enhance their college applications.

What is a content area?

We have five content areas that include gallery37, science37, sports37, tech37 and words37.

gallery37: Our nationally-recognized gallery37 programs offer teens the ability to build a foundation of skills in the visual and performing arts. Teens are offered a variety of settings to demonstrate their newly polished artistic skills. They perform before their peers at Campus Showcases across the city and are, on occasion, commissioned to create customized artwork for our public and private partners. The teen artwork created in our programs is unique and fabulous.  It is available for purchase in our gallery37Store located at 66 East Randolph Street.

science37: science37, our newest content area, offers programs that strengthen teens’ scientific knowledge and skills while piquing their intellectual curiosity. These new programs officially launched in spring 2006 with generous support from Abbott. Through master classes and field trips, science37 programs connect teens directly with learning opportunities in the city’s growing science and biotechnology sectors. Teens also participate in programs that include horticulture, environmental stewardship, and biofuel development.

sports37: Our sports37 programs impart and expose teens to the wide array of career opportunities in the fields of sports, health, and fitness while encouraging a healthy approach to living. Equipped with these new skills, teens coach and officiate games and other physical activities for elementary-aged children from neighboring schools and parks. By taking on roles with increased responsibilities, some teens from our sports37 programs become eligible for paid employment with Chicago Park District summer day camps or with community organizations, teaching the fundamentals of sports working as lifeguards or serving as recreational leaders.

tech37: Teens in our tech37 programs work with industry-standard hardware and software to develop real-world products. Teens build their resume credentials with experiences such as creating Web sites and robots, producing digital videos and television shows, manipulating digital photography, and programming and rebuilding computers.

words37: In our words37 programs, teens discover self-expression while enhancing their literary, journalistic, community and social development skills. Teens in our words37 programs add to their experience by creating final products such as newspapers, magazines, photojournalism exhibits, documentary videos, and community maps.

How can I support After School Matters or make a donation?

Please visit our supporter page for more information.