After School Matters is still accepting applications for its Fall programs. Programs in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology will be offered at 53 Chicago Public Schools high schools, more than 100 community organizations, Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library locations across the city, as well as Downtown at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts. After School Matters unique programs offer teens an opportunity to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.

Here are few programs in near your community that are accepting teens into enrollment:

• 2012 Zoom In – Street-Level’s Video Voyages equips teens with the skills, equipment and guidance to produce short journalistic videos on a wide range of subjects. Teens develop critical, creative and technical skills. They learn how to create a plan, budget their time, and work as a team. They will also learn how to upload and distribute their work through social media like YouTube and Vimeo.

     http://www.street-level.org/programs/multimedia-center

• Free Street Theater Performance Ensemble – Free Street’s Performance Ensemble is its capstone program that creates opportunities for youth artists from across Chicago. Participants engage in a rigorous two-year training and production process. The youth artists are teamed with four professional artists who mentor and collaborate with the young artists during the training process.

     http://freestreet.org/

• Fusion Dance – FUSION, a fun, innovative Performing Arts Dance program attractive to both male and female youth currently enrolled in a Chicago Public School High School and is aimed at encouraging physical health and maintaining overall healthy lifestyles through dance.

    http://www.fellowshipconnect.org/

•  ART- Artist Readiness Training Program – GOALS 1) Empower young people to create, develop and produce works of visual and performance art at a professional community venue; 2) Expose teens to arts opportunities and establish access for them; 3) Introduce young people to an accessible job experience which allows them to build soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

    www.voiceofthecity.org

• Friends at the Park – The Earth Team aims to empower teens through environmental education and action in their community. Through an innovative science program designed to serve teens with varying levels of scientific and environmental experiences, the Earth Team serves teens who lack local environmental programming and involvement in community parks.

     http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/humboldtpark/

All After School Matters programs, which typically meet three days a week for 75-90 hours over the course of 10-to-16 weeks, are free and open to all Chicago teen residents who are at least 14 years of age, and entering or currently enrolled in high school. Teens can search for programs that interest them at locations in and around their neighborhood, at www.afterschoolmatters.org. Teens must apply online and must meet with program instructors to discuss and present their skills and interests.

For more information about After School Matters and to apply for Fall programs, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org. Follow After School Matters on Twitter at @aftrschoolmttrs and on Facebook at facebook.com/afterschoolmatters or contact the community based organization through phone or email.

If you need assistance trying to enroll a teen, I can be reached at aaronarreguin.asm@gmail.com