Chicago City Wire

Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson attended the opening ceremony for the Orleans Teen Center in Cabrini-Green, a new facility operated by After School Matters (ASM) on Chicago’s Near North Side. The center, located in a renovated former Catholic school building, is expected to offer paid out-of-school time opportunities to about 2,100 Chicago teens each year.

Mayor Johnson was joined at the event by ASM CEO Mary Ellen Caron, Alderman Walter Redmond Burnett (27th), Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, and Ciere Boatright, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD).

“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.”

Mary Ellen Caron commented on ASM’s ongoing commitment: “For nearly 35 years, After School Matters has provided safe, engaging spaces where teens can discover their potential and be themselves. 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 opening is part of broader efforts to revitalize Cabrini-Green and its neighboring communities. Alderman Burnett stated: "As we open the Orleans Teen Center, we're delivering a new possibility for the residents of Cabrini-Green and the Near North Side. The resources and opportunities the center will provide will impact families across the neighborhood, creating new educational pathways to personal growth and success for the next generation of our young people.”

The project received $5 million from DPD's Community Development grant program alongside funding from state agencies and philanthropic organizations.

Ciere Boatright noted: "DPD was proud to support this transformational project which will offer learning opportunities to thousands of bright young minds. The project shows what's possible when public and private partners come together to make a lasting impact for our city’s youth and reflects our commitment to creating equitable opportunities for every neighborhood."

The facility includes classrooms tailored for specific programs such as culinary arts, theater production (black box theater), dance studio space, gymnasium facilities, skilled trades labs, innovation labs, and outdoor areas designated for urban gardening projects. The design process included input from local youth.

ASM pays participating students either stipends or hourly minimum wage rates while helping them build independence. In 2023 alone ASM served over 15,000 teens through more than 1,500 programs at hundreds of sites throughout most Chicago community areas.

This location joins three other ASM centers dedicated exclusively to teen programming: Gallery 37 Center for the Arts in downtown Chicago; Michael and Karen Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin; and Gately Park in Pullman/Roseland.

Programs are led by industry professionals who guide teens through projects designed to build technical expertise as well as critical thinking skills. According to ASM data at least 3,000 participants come from neighborhoods surrounding the Orleans Teen Center.

The site will also serve as a meeting place for other organizations working in youth development across Chicago.

ASM remains an important partner with City government initiatives like One Summer Chicago; last summer it hired nearly 9,000 youths into summer jobs via this program.

Construction on this project created around 150 jobs plus additional full-time equivalent positions while meeting requirements that half of all construction hours go toward local workers receiving prevailing wages. The renovation resulted in full accessibility throughout the building; minority- and woman-owned business participation exceeded City goals during construction.