As thousands of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students begin their annual summer break, approximately 10,000 CPS high school students are registered to participate in programs through After School Matters. This summer’s robust programming approach is informed by new survey findings from thousands of Chicago teens, parents and program instructors highlighting how the program delivers in key areas of need: safe spaces, sense of belonging and connection, skill building, having fun, and more. In Summer 2022, After School Matters transitioned back to nearly all in-person programming and engaged a diverse population of youth between ages 13-24 from across the city of Chicago. The organization partnered with Praxis Institute to evaluate its impact and gain insights from Chicago teens. Survey data was collected and analyzed from more than 4,000 youth, more than 1,000 parents/guardians, and hundreds of instructors.
Key Takeaways from Summer 2022 Teen Surveys:
● Despite the myriad of stressors facing young people today – increased community violence, juggling responsibilities, higher rates of mental health challenges – After School Matters provided a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for teens to explore interests and discover passions during the summer break.
○ 9 in 10 parents/guardians said ASM provided a safe space for teens to go
○ 8 in 10 teens said their program provided a safe space to be themselves
○ 9 in 10 teens said they had fun in their program.
● Teens reported building strong relationships with their peers and instructors and finding a place where they belong. Importantly, teens’ feelings of connection were linked to a greater sense of well-being and hope for the future.
○ 4 in 5 teens felt connected to their peers and instructors
○ 4 in 5 teens felt like they belonged in their program
○ 87 percent of teens felt supported by their instructors.
Some programs are still enrolling, and teens interested in applying can visit afterschoolmatters.org.
Photo Credit: After School Matters
