Photo taken by Joe Ward of DNAInfo Chicago.
A new opportunity for teens just arose in the Belmont-Cragin area. The nonprofit organization, After School Matters, opened its first teen center on the Northwest side of the City of Chicago, at 3435 N. Cicero Ave. The After School Matters program offers a variety of opportunities for young Chicago Public High School teens to explore, develop, and create their talents. The nonprofit organization was founded in the year 2000 with the pursuit of creating opportunities for teens to work outside of school and during the summer of each year. Students who engage in this rigorous program work with adults who are experts in their field.
Around 40,000 students apply to After School Matters programs each year. It has
become one of the largest youth programs in the city of Chicago. Mary Ellen Caron, the CEO of the program, states that the establishment of the program remains in good standing. The involvement of these students provides them with the benefit of exploring their passion and creativity. Students who engage in the program are looking to enrich their personal skills and gain hands on experience on a particular field.
The rigorous After School Matters program has many locations throughout the
City of Chicago. It offers over more than 1,000 after school and summer programs each year in schools, libraries, community centers, and parks. Only sixty two of the seventy seven community areas in Chicago are involved in this rigorous program. According to Dr. Caron, the program continues to grow and spread throughout the Chicagoland communities.