After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that supports up to 19,000 teens across Chicago each year with paid opportunities to develop their talents while gaining critical skills for work, college, and beyond. Our programs introduce young people to new ideas, places, and people and encourage them to explore their interests as they learn about who they are and who they want to become.
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After School Matters began in 1991 as a summer arts program and has since evolved to offer over 400,000 opportunities to Chicago teens in the arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM. Learn more about our meaningful milestones.
ݮƵ programs are offered across almost every Chicago neighborhood in schools, parks, community centers, libraries, and community organizations.
Our three ݮƵ buildings, The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center for After School Matters, Gallery 37 for the Arts, and After School Matters at Gately Park are designed specifically for Chicago teens.