Program photos available for download here.
Applications Now Open for Chicago High School Teens Seeking Summer Paid Apprenticeship Programs and Internships with After School Matters®
Approximately 9,000 program opportunities available to Chicago teens this summer
CHICAGO -- After School Matters® is now accepting applications for its Summer program cycle. Programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered beginning the week of June 29 for Advanced Apprenticeships and July 6 for all other programs at Chicago public high schools, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library and community-based organization locations across the city.
This year, After School Matters will provide 9,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities-approximately 1,000 more than last summer-in more than 430 programs. 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. This summer, participating teens will be eligible to earn a stipend of between $336 and $725 (depending on the program level), and interns can earn $10.00 per hour.
"After School Matters offers Chicago teens the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on programs throughout the summer," said Mary Ellen Caron, chief executive officer of After School Matters. "Our programs take place in safe environments all over the city in a variety of content areas, to ensure that teens can do something they're passionate about. These programs allow them to develop the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in school, work and life."
After School Matters unique programs offer teens an opportunity to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Multiple independent studies and recent data have confirmed that teens who participate in After School Matters programs have fewer course failures, improved school attendance and higher high school graduation rates than their peers who do not participate.
A few of the innovative programs offered throughout the city this summer include:
MAPSCorps @ Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation
Location: Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation
Description: MAPSCorps high school youth are paired with science-oriented university students. Working in teams, MAPSCorps participants walk every block of our communities, observing, collecting, cataloguing, and analyzing data about all public-facing businesses and organizations. Through hands-on, real-world experiences youth learn about the fundamental skill of integrity in interpersonal relationships, in the workplace, and in science. Youth gather data using smart phones with a web-enabled application called “MapApp.” They learn about scientific method, the practical skills of systematic observation, data collection, navigation skills, and how to use social media to communicate creatively and responsibly about their experiences.
AeroStars Aviation Exploration - Science
Location: Air Force Academy High School, Armour Square
Hands-on activities in AeroStars include experiments such as building kites and model airplanes, flying Flight Simulators, designing model airports, and taking field trips to local airports, aerospace companies and museum exhibits, and the Chicago Air and Water Show.
Blocks Together Peace Ambassadors - Communications
Location: Blocks Together, Humboldt Park
The Blocks Together Peace Ambassadors program helps students take an active role in trying to reduce violence in their community and change their neighborhood for the better. Teens will also learn about the different types of employment opportunities available at the community level.
City Chefs - Arts
Location: Lawrence Hall Youth Services, Lincoln Square
City Chefs involves a comprehensive, hands-on experience for youth interested in the culinary fields. Teens will learn skills in menu planning, cooking for small/large groups and customer relations.
CHOICES Robotics - Science
Location: LevelUP Teen Center at Ford City Shopping Mall, West Lawn
The goal of the CHOICES robotics program is to expose teens to the various career opportunities available in engineering sciences. Teens will actively participate in competition-quality robotics teams and open-ended design projects that utilize robotics.
Colored Girls Are Cover Girls - Arts
Location: Christian Valley Baptist Church, North Lawndale
Colored Girls Are Cover Girls is a unique program, where young women use their voices and their writings to educate their peers and community on the plights many young women of color experience, while simultaneously building their own confidence and self-esteem.
Teens can search and apply for Summer programs online at www.afterschoolmatters.org. 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. As part of the application process, teens interview or audition 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 about programs and applications, call 312-742-4182 or email info@afterschoolmatters.org.
For more information about After School Matters and to apply for Summer programs, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org. Follow After School Matters on Twitter at @aftrschoolmttrs, on Facebook at facebook.com/afterschoolmatters, on YouTube at youtube.com/aftrschoolmttrs, and on Instagram at AfterSchoolMatters.
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ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS:
After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago high school teens high quality, out-of-school time opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Over the past two decades, more than 200,000 teens have participated in our hands-on, project-based arts, communications, science, sports and technology programs at Chicago public high schools, community locations across the city and Downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts.
In 2014-2015, After School Matters is creating 22,000 unique opportunities for teens to participate in programs.
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