After School Matters is now accepting applications for its summer program.
Programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered beginning the week of June 23 at Chicago Public Schools high schools, community organizations and Chicago Park District locations across the city, as well as downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and “under the tents” in Millennium Park.
In total, about 8,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities in more than 400 programs will be available to Chicago high school teens this summer.
After School Matters summer programs typically meet four hours per day, four to five days per week over the course of six to seven weeks.
Participating teens will be eligible to earn a stipend of between $336 and $725 (depending on the program level), and interns can earn $8.25 per hour.
Here are some of the programs that will be held on the West Side:
Green Lungs located at BUILD Inc.: The Green LUNGS program empowers teens with the knowledge and skills necessary to become sustainable advocates.. Teens gain specific skills in ecosystem and landscape-based management that provide the foundation for a career in science, agriculture, design, public policy, or any number of related disciplines. From the onset, teens work together to synthesize their environmental observations to identify positive changes and produce maps to communicate the information and promote community recommendations.
Westside Rights to Power located at Austin YMCA: The Westside Rights to Power Program mixes media making, juvenile justice and business basics to train young people to advocate for positive youth justice. Participants create media for public messages, participate in Know Your Rights trainings about the Juvenile Justice System, and build business skills to help themselves and their community.
Urban Hardball and Softball located at Columbus Park: Youth train to become youth umpires and youth trainers with opportunities for work through summer little leagues.
Teens can search and apply for programs online here.
All After School Matters programs are free and open to Chicago teen residents who are at least 14 years of age (16 years of age for internships), and who are entering or currently enrolled in high school.
Teens who have been in After School Matters for three or more sessions will be given priority consideration for internships. As part of the application process, teens meet with program instructors to discuss and present their skills and interests.
Chicago teens are encouraged to apply early, as program opportunities fill up quickly. For questions on programs and applications, call 312-742-4182 or email info@afterschoolmatters.org.