Approximately 7,000 apprenticeship and internship opportunities in the arts, communications, sports, science and technology will be offered to teens at nearly 150 locations across Chicago this summer
CHICAGO--After School Matters is now accepting applications for its Summer apprenticeship and internship programs, most of which begin July 1 or July 8. Programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered at 30 Chicago Public Schools high schools and at more than 120 community organizations and Chicago Park District locations across the city, as well as downtown at the Gallery37 Center for the Arts and "under the tents" in Millennium Park.
In total, approximately 7,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities in more than 230 programs will be available to Chicago teens this summer. After School Matters Summer programs typically meet four to five days a week for four hours over the course of six weeks. Summer apprentices will earn a session stipend of up to $420 and interns will earn $8.25 per hour.
"After School Matters strives to offer Chicago teens unique and productive program opportunities in safe and enriching environments throughout the summer and the school year," said Mary Ellen Caron, chief executive officer of After School Matters. "By supporting their development of skills in a variety content areas, as well as important career readiness skills, we help them discover their potential and gain the confidence they need to find their future."
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 attendance and higher high school graduation rates.
A few of the innovative programs offered throughout the city this summer include:
Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science (PREP) -- Science37
Location: Chicago State University Foundation in Roseland
PREP is a precollegiate program that expands students' understanding of science and technology, and the impact that professions in those fields have on society. Teens will work in small teams to design, construct and program a robot to navigate a predetermined terrain in local, regional and national robotics competitions.
Columbia College Creative Writing -- Words37
Location: Gallery37 Center for the Arts in the Loop
The Columbia College Creative Writing program teaches the art of storytelling and connects the power of story to the arts, science and the working world. Through weekly workshops with published writers, teens selected for this advanced apprenticeship program will develop fiction and nonfiction content in story forms including dreams, folktales, essays, sketch comedy writing and more.
Advanced Video Production -- Tech37
Location: Gallery37 Center for the Arts in the Loop
Teens will learn the essentials of making their own short movies, including script writing, operating video cameras and editing. The program begins with technical workshops on how to make films look professional; apprentices will then brainstorm and pitch their own ideas for short films. Once in production, teens write scripts, perform, direct and then edit their ideas into finished films.
Mi Cocina Culinary Arts Club -- Gallery37
Location: Casa Central in West Town
Casa Central's Mi Cocina Culinary Arts Club introduces teens to the culinary arts profession and assists them in developing basic competencies in creating menus, proper sanitation and maintaining a safe kitchen.
Beverage Industry Products and Profits -- Tech37
Location: Austin Polytech High School in Austin
Teens in this program will be exposed to various aspects of the multi-billion dollar local and global non-alcoholic beverage industry. Guided by a nationally recognized high school business and entrepreneurship curriculum, hands on classroom activities and field trips, teens will gain industry and career insights to key beverage categories. Teens will develop and practice skills to think critically, perform consumer math and become more effective communicators.
The Chicago Botanic Garden (Green Youth Farm) -- Science37
Location: Dyett High School in Washington Park
This Chicago Botanic Garden program offers teens the opportunity to learn all aspects of organic farming -- from planting seeds and managing a hive of bees, to cooking with the food they grow and selling it at farm stands and markets. Students also learn to cook with the food they grow and participate in outreach and teambuilding activities.
Tennis Academy -- Sports37
Location: Tulley Park in Chatham
The goal and objectives of the Tennis Academy will be to provide teens an opportunity to learn, develop and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle through tennis. Tennis develops many skills including social interaction, physical and mental challenge, communication and goal setting.
All After School Matters programs are free and open to Chicago teen residents who are at least 14 years of age for apprenticeships and 16 years of age for internships, and entering or currently enrolled in high school. Teens can search and apply online for programs offered at locations in and around their neighborhood atwww.afterschoolmatters.org. As part of the application process, teens also meet with program instructors to discuss and present their skills and interests. Teens are encouraged to apply early as program opportunities fill up quickly. For questions on programs and applications, contact 312-742-4182 or 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 and on Facebook at facebook.com/afterschoolmatters.
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Founded in 1991 by former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley, 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 100,000 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 Gallery37 Center for the Arts. After School Matters programs are developed and delivered through a network of public and private partnerships, including Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Library and a wide range of community organizations.
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