After School Matters is accepting teen applications for its spring program session.
More than 300 programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered starting the week of Feb. 22 at more than 70 Chicago public high schools, as well as Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library and community groups throughout the city.
Teens can search and apply for the next session online here. In total, more than 7,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities will be available this spring.
Spring programs will meet about three days a week for three hours per day over the course of 12 weeks. Participating teens will be eligible to earn a stipend of $275 and $425, and interns can earn $10 per hour.
“After School Matters is committed to positively impacting the lives of Chicago’s teens — our city’s next generation of leaders,” Mary Ellen Caron, chief executive officer of After School Matters, said in a statement.
“Through new and exciting programs in a variety of content areas, we want to inspire teens to find their passions and empower them with the tools necessary to develop valuable skills needed to succeed in high school, college and beyond.”
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 are currently enrolled in high school.
As part of the application process, teens interview with program instructors to discuss and present their skills and interests. Chicago teens are encouraged to apply early, as spots fill up quickly.
A few of the innovative programs offered throughout the city this spring include:
Urban Hardball (and Softball) – Sports
Location: Columbus Park, Austin
Urban Hardball is a community initiative created to encourage African-American children to participate in little league. Teens train and study to become empires and trainers, with opportunities to work with Little League programs during the following summer.
Aztec Dance Chicago – Arts
Location: Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy High School, Little Village
In Aztec Dance, teens learn the history and culture of Aztec-Nahua dances, musical rhythms and songs through field trips and hands-on workshops with local Aztec dance professionals and dance groups. After participating in these workshops, students showcase what they learn through presentations.
Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars – Science
Location: Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory High School, Roseland
The Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars program offers teens the opportunity to explore the careers of aircraft pilots by interacting with professionals in the field, learning about the history of minorities in aviation, and gaining first-hand experience flying and operating an airplane.
Social Documentary – Tech
Location: Phillips Academy High School, Bronzeville
In the Social Documentary apprenticeship, teens learn the skills needed to write, direct and produce a short documentary. After developing those skills, teens will pick a documentary topic of their choosing and then film and edit footage to bring their visions to life.
Cricket – Sports
Location: Warren Park, West Ridge
In the Cricket program, teens will learn the strategy of the game — the second most popular sport in the world — as well as how to referee matches. After learning those basics, the teens will head to the field to showcase what they’ve learned in a cricket competition.
Chicago Lights Urban Farm – Science
Location: Chicago Lights Urban Farm, River North
Through growing, harvesting and selling fresh produce, teens in the Chicago Lights Urban Farm program acquire life skills by learning how to grow produce from scratch, and prepare delicious and nutritious meals for neighbors in their community.
Colored Girls Are Cover Girls – Communications
Location: Firehouse Community Arts Center, North Lawndale
Colored Girls are Cover Girls is a unique program utilizing poetry as a means to create change and impact lives while stimulating growth among girls of color. The program teaches young women that their voices and their writings are valuable tools to educate their peers and community on the plight of young women of color thus empowering them to release and become stronger.
Digital Imagination – Tech
Location: Kroc Center Chicago, West Pullman
In a challenging introduction to digital media, teens explore digital music recording, video and audio editing, and website and graphic design. Teens learn skills including leadership and collaboration as they work together to complete a final project showcasing their digital imaginations.
For questions about programs and applications, call (312) 742-4182 or email applications@afterschoolmatters.org.