🎨 Expression is everything! This Summer, our talented teens in the Advanced Visual Arts program were led by ASM instructor and Chicago muralist, Erick Roho Garcia, to create a moment of inspiration at our Gately Park facility in the Pullman neighborhood. Together, they designed and painted this vibrant mural that celebrates the building as a safe, supportive space where teens can learn, grow, and fully be themselves. Now proudly displayed above the staircase in the Center Space for teens, this artwork adds a burst of color and creativity. We are so grateful for this fantastic addition, and for the young artists who made it happen! Teen Artists: Emily Rose B.M., Daniel B., Kelis C., Triniti F., Enyla G., Kathleen J.E., Jordan M., Myron M., Aniya P., Victoria Q., Rojelio R., Unique T., Danya W. #teensMATTER
After School Matters
Non-profit Organization Management
Chicago, IL 13,301 followers
After School Matters provides life-changing program opportunities to more 18,000 Chicago teens every year.
About us
Each year, After School Matters provides life-changing after-school and summer program opportunities to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens. Our hands-on, project-based apprenticeship and internship programs – in the arts, communications and leadership, sports and STEM – allow teens to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. After School Matters full-time staff of approximately 85 supports the day-to-day operations and administration of the organization, as well as the provision of our signature programs across the city, while hundreds of individuals across Chicago work with us part-time as After School Matters instructors and program providers. We seek to serve our teens and achieve our mission by: • Advocating for teens and youth development • Building opportunities for teens through partnerships • Engaging teens in skills development for work and higher education • Showcasing teen accomplishments • Disseminating research and best practices about out-of-school time for teens
- Website
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http://www.afterschoolmatters.org
External link for After School Matters
- Industry
- Non-profit Organization Management
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1991
- Specialties
- Out-of-school time, Mentoring, Leadership development, Project-based learning, education, and summer programming
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
66 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601, US
Employees at After School Matters
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Anne Beluschak
✦ Transformational HR Executive | Visionary Leader | Strategic Partner to the C-Suite | Builder of Scalable People Systems and Inclusive Workplaces |…
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David Bild
Educator
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Katherine Kirk Fenech
Event Production Agency from Coast to Coast. Creative Minds. Solution Focused. Event Magic.®
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Gabriela Duffy
Instructor, Independent Photography Professional, Preparator
Updates
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After School Matters reposted this
Investing in our youth means investing in our city’s future. Earlier this month, After School Matters (ASM) cut the ribbon on the Orleans Teen Center, a 36,000-square-foot teen education center in Cabrini Green. Related Midwest proudly committed funding to the project. The state-of-the-art facility, which will provide paid out-of-school opportunities to approximately 2,100 Chicago teens each year, houses specialized environments to support youth development and career exploration. These include a culinary center, black-box theater, dance studio, gymnasium, lab space, and outdoor gardening areas. As an ASM board member, I’m thrilled to see this project come to life. Related Midwest’s long-term support of ASM is a testament to what’s possible when mission-driven partners stay engaged and keep showing up for their community. Reaching this milestone for the Orleans Teen Center was possible thanks to the support and dedication of many organizations and individuals, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, ASM CEO Mary Ellen Caron, Alderman Walter Redmond Burnett, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Esq., Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Chicago Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
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After School Matters reposted this
Feeling #grateful to work with these lovely, strategic, creative, and silly Development and Programs leaders to create thousands of opportunities for Chicago teens year after year with After School Matters. Last week we gathered for community building and strategy sessions for 2026 at our Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin. Needless to say, we had a good time, ending our time together making hand-whipped buttercream and decorating cookies led by Chef (and ASM alum) Araceli.
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Big night at the Lutz Center! 🔥🤝 Teens in ASM's Welding program got an inside look at the future of the trade thanks to James Manning from Miller Electric Mfg. LLC. From robotic welding to real-world career paths, James broke it all down and even shared his own journey, giving teens the chance to ask anything. Total spark-starter moment. ⚡️ Huge shoutout to ITW & Miller Electric Mfg. LLC for inspiring the next generation of skilled pros! 👩🏭 #teensMATTER
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We are one week away from #GivingTuesday! This global generosity movement was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Please consider supporting Chicago's teens to ensure they have safe, inspiring spaces to earn money, explore their passions, and shape their futures. As one After School Matters alum put it, “ASM changed the narrative of my life.” 💜 By supporting After School Matters this holiday season, you are planting seeds that will grow for years to come: https://lnkd.in/gWmEPAM5 #teensMATTER
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More than 120 After School Matters University (ASMU) teens took big steps toward their futures. 💙✨ They traveled to UW–Madison and the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign to explore STEM pathways, connect with faculty, and see firsthand what college can look like for them. From potting their own plant clippings and solving forensic investigations, to exploring engineering labs, our teens were curious and engaged! Thank you to our university partners and ASM instructors for making these opportunities possible. Learn more about the experience in our latest blog post. #teensMATTER
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We are SO proud to share this incredible WBEZ/Sun-Times profile of Nora Daley, ASM Board Secretary, civic and cultural leader, and a powerful advocate for Chicago's young people. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/ghXX4KjS Thank you, Nora, for being such a champion for our city and our teens! #teensMATTER
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Career exploration was in full swing at the Lutz Center! 💼✨ At this fall's Career Fair, After School Matters teens met with amazing partners, asked big questions, built connections, and left inspired. Corporate volunteers also toured the space with Senior Program Manager Betsy Guerrero and Chief Development Officer Katrina Ferreyra to see ASM’s impact in action! Huge shoutout to our partners at Greenwood Project, DRW, Comcast, Chicago Skyway, Peoples Gas, Kimberly-Clark, and the ASM Associate Board for showing up for the next generation. And major props to our teens, who walked away with brand-new pro headshots! 📸🔥 #teensMATTER
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✨ Big congrats to #ASMalum and Associate Board member Samantha Chatman — named one of Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40! 🎉 An Emmy Award–winning journalist, Samantha lights up our screens as a consumer investigative reporter and anchor for ABC 7 Chicago — and now as host of her own talk show, Mama, I Made It!, featuring in-depth interviews with local and global icons like Common and ChancetheRapper. Reflecting on her journey, Samantha credits her time as an After School Matters Dance teen for helping her find her voice and confidence: “Participating in After School Matters' Dance program was a game-changer for my confidence and stage presence… Dancing on massive stages gave me the opportunity to literally and figuratively take up space, all while pushing through stage fright and moving with pride.” 💜 Today, Samantha continues to give back as an ASM Associate Board member, inspiring the next generation of Chicago teens to dream big and shine bright. 🌟 #teensMATTER
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🌟 An unforgettable day for the Gately Leadership Council teens! 🌟 This fall, teens visited EY ’s stunning Upper Wacker office for an inspiring career experience, learning directly from Managing Partner Arthur James, taking part in a fast-paced speed networking session, and, of course, refueling with some Jimmy John’s 😋 The conversations sparked big dreams and new motivation for the future. 💫 A huge thank you to EY and ASM Associate Board member Ishmael Kodjoe for making this incredible opportunity possible! #teensMATTER
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