User:Aquint22/sandbox

After School Matters is a non-profit organization that provides after school and summer programs and jobs to over 15,000 Chicago high school teenagers each year.

History and Background
After School Matters was founded by Maggie Daley, former first lady of the city of Chicago. With the help of Lois Weinberg, the commissioner of cultural affairs during Richard M. Daley's years as mayor, they launched Gallery 37 in 1991. Gallery 37 was a similar program that promoted programs outside of school that focused on the arts.

Now, under the nonprofit umbrella organization After School Matters, it consists of Gallery37, Tech37, Sports37, Words37, and Science37. It's run by a full-time staff of 75 people, operating out of the city-owned Gallery 37 building on Randolph Street and in the Cultural Center, and offers programming in parks and libraries as well as schools.

When the program first launched in 1991, 260 kids were enrolled that first summer. By the summer of 2011, the program was set to have 20,000 kids.

Demographics
After School Matters serves the local Chicago youth and adolescent population aged 14 through 19 years old. After School Matters now has over 20,000 adolescents signed up in its various summer programs. The organization and its programs serves a diverse racial group, with over 90% of its participants identifying as ethnic minorities.

Programs and Partnerships
Programs are offered in forms of apprenticeships and internships that cover topics from science, sports, and technology to college readiness skills and communication. Programs are offered in three sessions: Summer, Fall, Spring.

The organization is partnered with programs such as West Town Bikes, Forward Momentum, 1871, and The Chicago Fire Foundation. It is also partnered with Bank of America that further provide students with programs.

Art
Programs under the arts usually fall under the performing, visual and culinary arts.

Students in that participated in ASM programs worked together to create a series of artworks that were added to the McCormick Places Metra Station waiting room that was renovated in 2017.

A mural funded by After School Matters and worked on by students is also located on the corner of 18th Street and Paulina Street in the Pilsen neighborhood. The project is called the J-DEF Peace Project.

Another mural that After School Matter students helped create in 2015 is located at the Whole Foods Market at 6009, N. Broadway Ave. The Mural promotes healthy eating habits and lifestyle.

A cooking exhibition was led by students in After School Matters at the Taste of Chicago in 2013.

Students can also participate in programs offered through Forward Momentum where they can learn and perform different dance styles such as Ballet, Latin, African, and Hip-Hop.

Communications and Leadership
Business, journalism, marketing, media, and social science are programs that are provided under Communications and Leadership.

After School Matters and the USC Shoah Foundation partnered to offer students a programs called "Witness" which would aid them in leadership skills and understanding public political discourse and identifying the rhetorical styles within (argument, persuasion and propaganda). They students were also able to evelop their own contributions to the political debate via social media. ASM and the USC Shoah Foundation will continue to provide similar programs like "IWitness" in order for students to gain these skills.

Sports
Sports instruction, stadium management, health and wellness, and sports-related programs are offered via After School Matters.

A partnership with West Town Bikes allows for students to attend a program were they can learn about cycling, rules on the road, transportation, and even how to repair bikes. The program offers students to build their own bike and earn a stipend at the end of the program.

STEM
Applied and natural science, audio/visual technology, industrial technology, and information technology are some topics that are covered in programs.

A partnership with 1871 allows students to be selected to intern for the company and work with executive directors as well as work in task such as event planning and community outreach.

After School Matters Annual Gala
Every year After School Matters holds a gala to celebrate its members' accomplishments and collect funds to support it's programs. In 2016 the program held its 25th annual gala at Navy Pier and raised a total of $4.5 million.

Partnerships and Notable Donations
After School Matters sustains itself through grants and donations. In the past it has received donations from former Chicago Bulls NBA stars like Michael Jordan and Derrik Rose, who donated $1 million.

When Michael Jordan won against Dominick’s and Jewel’s after each created an ad that used Jordan’s number and name. Jordan donated the money to 23 charities in Chicago, one of which was After School Matters.

George Lucas, the filmmaker, and Mellody Hobson made a donation of $25 million to After School Matters through the George Lucas Foundation. The donation was given in $5 million increments over five years and it funded a student stipend that was cut during the recession. The stipend ranging from $275 to $425 that's given at the end of the program. ASM has close a budget close to $25 million which is an increase of $8 million.

Chicago Bulls star, Derrick Rose donated $1 million to ASM, making it his largest donation to the organization. It is mentioned by the vice chairman of ASM that Rose reached out personally and wanted to anything to support the organization. It also mentions that the money came from Rose personally. Rose stated that many supported him in his career and he wanted to do the same for Chicago teens.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the city of Chicago made a $12.2 million dollar investment.

Controversies
Linda Wutton of WBEZ found that students that were paid $5 an hour in 2009 would make $1.10 due to the pay cuts. A board member, Avis Lavele, of After School Matters claimed that shift was to focus on eliminating clubs and bringing in valuable programs without reducing the students in the program. However, a professor found that in Chicago kids would fight to be in a certain program. The article also mentions how jobs are crucial in keeping teens from being involved in gangs or drugs and could potentially increase violence if more programs and paychecks are cut.

Charlie Trotter, noted restaurant owner in Chicago, got into an argument with an After School Matters adviser and kicked students out of his restaurant despite having it reserved for a photo gallery. The drama came as Mary Ellen Caron made plans for the Gala in which there was an effort to fundraise and "beef" up its board.