After School Matters is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1991 that operates after-school and summer programs across Chicago for teenage youth. Beginning as Gallery 37, a single arts education initiative, it has expanded to serve nearly 20,000 teens annually through more than 350 program sites across the city, supplemented by four dedicated facilities including the recently opened 36,000-square-foot Orleans Teen Center.
The organisation's programs span arts education, STEM, sports, and communications training, with a distinctive emphasis on paid work opportunities and internships. Participants develop practical skills while earning wages, working directly with community leaders and professionals who provide mentorship and networking. This structure positions work-readiness and college preparation alongside talent development across the organisation's core offerings.
After School Matters has served hundreds of thousands of Chicago teens over its 35-year history. The organisation operates a distributed network model, embedding programs within community venues while maintaining owned facilities to ensure consistent access across neighbourhoods. Its growth from a single location to its current scale reflects sustained expansion within the Chicago youth services sector.
