By: Ashmar Mandou

Last Saturday, the City of Chicago held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the much anticipated After School Matter’s newly completed Orleans Teen Center in the Cabrini-Green community. “For nearly 35 years, After School Matters has provided safe, engaging spaces where teens can discover their potential and be themselves,” said After School Matters CEO Mary Ellen Caron. “With the opening of the Orleans teen center, we’re deepening that commitment—bringing more opportunities, creativity, and connection to the heart of Chicago.”

The City supported project converted a former Catholic school building into a youth programming center that will provide approximately 2,100 Chicago teens paid out-of-school time opportunities annually. The Orleans Teen Center features state-of-the-art resources including, black box theater, a gymnasium, a culinary kitchen, STEM and art studios, a skilled trade’s lab, an innovation lab, outdoor spaces for urban gardening, and communal spaces for collaboration and connection.

“This new Cabrini teen center is more than a building—it’s a promise to our youth that their city believes in them.” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “When young people are provided with opportunities and support outside of school they are better prepared for success as they progress through life. Today’s ceremony marks a momentous step forward in our mission to ensure every young Chicagoan is provided the opportunity to develop new skills and grow as individuals.”

This new Cabrini facility will add to the organization’s growing number of teen-dedicated spaces, joining other locations like Gallery37 Center for the Arts in the Loop, the Michael and Karen Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and Gately Park in Pullman/Roseland.  Programs offered by After School Matters pay participating students a stipend or an hourly minimum wage while fostering independence and personal growth. In 2023 alone, 15,135 teens were served through the 1,519 programs implemented at 362 sites across 69 of Chicago’s 77 community areas. The programs are led by industry experts, exposing teens to projects that help them gain technical and critical skills while building their sense of belonging.

“As Chicago’s largest provider of out-of-school time programs for teens, After School Matters gives young people a safe, supportive space to explore their interests, build skills in the arts, leadership, sports, and STEM, and earn stipends that prepare them for their futures,” said Rita Cook, president, Bank of America Chicago. “Bank of America shares ASM’s commitment to investing in our youth through workforce and career initiatives, and we look forward to seeing the opportunities that will grow from the Orleans Teen Center.” Bank of America contributed $1 million grant to After School Matters for its all-new Orleans Teen Center.

The project was awarded a $5 million Community Development grant from DPD which supplemented funding provided the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and local philanthropic partners.

Photo Credit: After School Matters