After School Matters, a Chicago-based teen programming organization founded by Maggie Daley, is undertaking a $14 million renovation of a new facility on the Near North Side. The 36,000-square-foot building, purchased for $12.2 million in April, is located at 1065 N. Orleans St., near the former Cabrini-Green public housing development. Scheduled for completion in late 2025, the facility will offer programming to 1,500 teens.
The renovation will transform the building, which already includes a commercial kitchen and gymnasium (a first for After School Matters), into a state-of-the-art learning center. Planned additions include a black box theater, art studios, STEM labs, a skilled trades lab, outdoor urban gardening spaces, and collaborative communal areas. Chief Financial Officer Brendan DuBois hopes the gymnasium will particularly attract more boys to the organization’s sports programs, inspiring them to explore other offerings as well. This new building represents significant growth for After School Matters, which previously relied on city library and park district spaces before acquiring its first dedicated building in 2017.
DuBois emphasizes the organization’s commitment to creating exceptional facilities: “What sets our buildings apart is the investment we make. It’s a huge commitment by the organization, by the board of directors, by our donors.” The organization’s fall, spring, and summer programs currently serve up to 19,000 students, offering a wide range of courses in sports, cooking, art, and more. CEO Mary Ellen Caron highlights the crucial need for safe and supportive spaces for teenagers: “We know After School Matters teen-centric spaces work…Today, there is a greater need than ever for more safe, supportive and responsive spaces where teens can learn, grow and thrive.”
The building’s design will incorporate feedback from After School Matters staff, board members, and most importantly, the teens themselves. This collaborative approach extends to program development, with the organization actively seeking teen input to shape new course offerings, such as artificial intelligence programming. The total cost of the project, including the building purchase and renovation, is estimated at $27 million, with fundraising efforts underway to cover the $14 million renovation cost. Approximately 12 to 15 employees will staff the new facility, though the source of those employees (new hires or existing staff) remains to be determined.