Celebrating 35 Years of Serving Chicago Teens 

As we kick off another exciting summer of programming, we’re also celebrating a remarkable milestone: 35 years of empowering Chicago teens. 

What began in the summer of 1991 at a single location providing arts programs for 260 young people has grown into the nation’s largest and most impactful provider of after-school and summer opportunities for teens.  

Starting this week, more than 10,000 teens will participate in After School Matters’ summer programs across Chicago. 

“For 35 years, After School Matters has helped young people discover their passions, build critical skills, and envision brighter futures,” shared Mary Ellen Caron, After School Matters CEO. “Our research shows that teens who participate in our programs are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and thrive in their careers. Those outcomes are made possible by the caring instructor-mentors, community partners, supporters, and young people who have shaped our organization over the last three and a half decades.” 

For 35 years, ASM has met the moment. We’ve expanded our program offerings, forged deep partnerships with community-based organizations, adapted during unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, and invested in the mental health and well-being of young people through our partnership with Adler University and other caring professionals like Amy Dolnick. Through every chapter, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to helping Chicago teens thrive. 

Founded to address a need for teen employment and arts education, ASM has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of young people. Grounded in teen voice, real-world learning, and caring adult mentorship, our programs provide more than just enriching experiences. They offer safe spaces to belong, opportunities to earn a stipend, pathways to college and careers, and the confidence to pursue a future filled with possibility. 

Our teen-centered facilities—from Gallery 37 Center for the Arts over the past 20-plus years, to the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center, After School Matters at Gately Park, and our new After School Matters at Orleans Teen Center—reflect our commitment to creating inspiring spaces designed with and for young people.

The impact of ASM over the past 35 years is reflected not only in numbers, but in the lives changed and futures shaped along the way. 

35 Years of Impact: 

• Nearly 20,000 teens served annually.

• Teens are 1.5 times more likely to enroll in college than their peers.

• 92% of teens reported participating in ASM made them more hopeful about their future.  

• 83% of teens reported that their program provided a safe space to be their true self. 

• 81% of alumni say ASM exposed them to new career pathways. 

• Nearly 8 in 10 alumni say ASM significantly contributed to their career success. 

• Participants come from all 77 Chicago community areas. 

• More than $20 million invested annually by After School Matters back into Chicago neighborhoods through teen stipends, instructor pay, and community partnerships. 

Read more about After School Matters’ impact over the past 35 years here. 

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are reflecting on the countless stories, experiences, and connections that have made ASM what it is today. Whether you are an alum, parent, teen, instructor, partner, donor, or supporter, you are part of this story. We want to celebrate with you this summer at our events. 

Upcoming Summer Events: 

Visit our 35^th anniversary page for more information and updates on these and other events this summer. 

Please stop by, say hi, support our teens, and share your ASM story with us. If you can’t stop by, we still want to hear from you. What does ASM mean to you? What memories have stayed with you over the years? 

Share your story with us using the form below and help us celebrate 35 years of creating opportunities, transforming lives, and investing in Chicago’s future.