After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit founded in 1991 that provides paid apprenticeships and internships to nearly 20,000 teenagers each year. The organisation operates at more than 350 sites across the city, with four dedicated facilities including the 36,000-square-foot ASM Orleans Teen Center. Its programmes span the arts, science, sports, technology and communications, offering teens the chance to develop practical skills while earning money.
The programmes are designed to help young people explore professional and personal interests in structured, supportive settings. Participants work alongside community leaders and mentors, gaining experience that can inform future academic and career decisions. The organisation's model focuses on connecting Chicago's youth with opportunities that combine skill-building with paid work.
After School Matters partners with schools, community organisations and city agencies to deliver after-school and summer programming. Its reach - tens of thousands of teens served annually across hundreds of locations - makes it one of the largest providers of paid out-of-school programming in the United States.