Our Model

To achieve our mission and realize our vision, After School Matters has prioritized the following components that allow us to best serve teenagers. We…

• Advocate for teens and youth development.
• Build opportunities for teens through partnerships.
• Engage teens in development for work and higher education.
• Showcase teen accomplishments.
• Disseminate research and best practices about out-of-school time for teens.

Within these components lies our teen programming, which is based on an apprenticeship and internship model.

Apprenticeships – Project-based programs led by industry experts that can provide a pathway to progress in skills development and independence. Final projects and showcases increase in complexity across the apprenticeship levels so teens have the opportunity to expand their skills. Teens must be at least 14 years old and are awarded a stipend for program completion.

• Pre-Apprenticeship – Introductory hands-on program that provides broad exposure to a specific content area and related careers.
• Apprenticeship – Hands-on program in which teens learn content-specific skills and work towards a culminating project or showcase.
• Advanced Apprenticeship – Advanced hands-on program in which teens refine their technical skills while producing a complex culminating project or showcase.

Assistantships – Opportunities for teens to participate in introductory workplace experiences alongside supportive After School Matters staff. Teens must be at least 16 years old and are paid a stipend. These opportunities range from program assistance to schoolwide support for programming to outreach and engagement activities.

Internships – Teens interested in applying to internships are required to be at least 16 years old, to interview for internship positions, and if hired to complete an I9 along with federal and state W4’s. As a teen intern you will an hourly wage of $15. Internships positions include camp counselors, corporate administration, retail and customer service and more.

All of our programs deliver hard skills in a particular content area (the arts, communications, science, sports or technology) in addition to critical 21st century skills that prepare teens for work, college and beyond. These can also be considered ‘college and career readiness skills’. They include:

• Personal Mindset
• Planning for Success
• Social Awareness
• Verbal Communication
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving

 

For teens who successfully meet certain program requirements (including attendance and participation), After School Matters provides them with a monetary stipend.

Stipends lower participation barriers, reinforce the importance of dedicated participation and hard work in programs, and make an economic impact on teens, their families and communities. Providing stipends to our teens empowers them and reinforces the value of their time and efforts.