After School Matters is now accepting applications for its Summer program cycle. Programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered beginning the week of June 23rd at Chicago Public Schools high schools, community organizations, and Chicago Park District locations across the city, as well as downtown.

In total, approximately 8,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities in more than 400 programs will be available to Chicago high school teens this summer. After School Matters Summer programs typically meet four hours per day, four-to-five days per week over the course of six-to-seven weeks. Participating teens will be eligible to earn a stipend of between $336 and $725 (depending on the program level), and interns can earn $8.25 per hour. A few of the innovative programs offered throughout the city this summer include:

AgLAB — Science
Location: Better Boys Foundation in North Lawndale
AgLAB is a community gardening project creating opportunities for youth apprentices to participate in neighborhood beautification, learn about the nutritional benefits of fresh organic vegetables and explore careers in agriculture.

Redmoon — Arts
Location: Millennium Park
Redmoon Theater will host a program in the Millennium Park tent for teens to create large lanterns to be displayed along the Chicago River during a citywide festival this fall. Teens will learn painting, sculpture, introductory woodworking, fabric techniques and even poetry.

Urban Teen Magazine — Words
Location: Kelly Hall YMCA in Humboldt Park
Teen participants will explore career opportunities in the fields of magazine publishing and journalism while developing writing and photography skills as they produce two magazines–The Urban Teen and Urban Girl Magazine.

Teens can search and apply for programs online at www.afterschoolmatters.org. For questions on programs and applications, contact 312-742-4182.