1871 and After School Matters Announce Partnership to Promote Tech Sector Opportunities for Chicago Teens
Summer internship to welcome four Chicago teens to experience tech community firsthand
Chicago, Illinois (May 27, 2014) — 1871 and After School Matters announced today they will partner for the first time this summer to provide Chicago teens with an internship program to experience technology and digital entrepreneurship. After School Matters has a long-standing tradition of partnering with organizations like 1871, that are able to expose teens to marketable job skills and future careers.
“1871 is committed to fostering community engagement from its members and the tech community,” said 1871 CEO, Howard A. Tullman. “By partnering with After School Matters, 1871 will be able to help the next generation of entrepreneurs develop their talents as they become Chicago’s future leaders.”
1871 will select four interns to take part in the six-week program beginning July 1, 2014. The program will allow the interns to work directly with members of 1871’s executive team and with some of Chicago’s growing companies, business experts and community leaders. As active members of the 1871 team, interns will work on a variety of tasks ranging from event planning to community outreach. The teens will also be responsible for a regular blog post that will be featured on the 1871 website. In the posts the teens will be able to share their first-hand experience of working at 1871 and in the multifaceted world of digital entrepreneurship.
"I am thrilled that After School Matters and 1871 are working together," said J.B. Pritzker, Pritzker Group Managing Partner and 1871 Founder. "1871 is the perfect place for this select group of teens to learn about technology entrepreneurship and see first-hand how companies are built from the ground up."
After School Matters provides internship opportunities to its more advanced teens who have participated in previous programs and are ready to take their skills to the next level. This first-time partnership between After School Matters and 1871 will connect Chicago high school teens to real-world work opportunities in some of the most exciting and innovative career fields available today. During the program, the interns will have the opportunity to help 1871 foster relations with Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods as the tech hub seeks to broaden its community engagement.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with 1871 and connect our teens with one of the most creative and dynamic environments not just here in Chicago, but in the entire world,” said Mary Ellen Caron, After School Matters Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to the internship program, 1871 has also begun showcasing artwork by After School Matters teens. The works of art will be a mix of canvases, skateboards, and mixed – media pieces, similar to those regularly on display at the After School Matters Retail Store. The art is on display in 1871’s Auditorium and will be available for purchase starting June 1, 2014. Images of the art are available on the 1871 website: http://www.1871.com/after-school-matters-art-on-display-at-1871/
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About After School Matters
After School Matters provides Chicago high school teens with high quality, out-of-school time opportunities to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond. Over the past two decades, close to 200,000 teens have participated in our hands-on, project-based after-school and summer programs in the arts, science, sports, technology and communications. Programs take place at locations throughout the city including Chicago public high schools, community-based organizations and Downtown at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts. www.afterschoolmatters.org
About 1871
1871 is an entrepreneurial hub for digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, the 50,000-square-foot facility provides Chicago startups with programming, access to mentors, educational resources, potential investors and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs that help them on their path to building successful businesses. 1871 is the flagship project of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center. Follow 1871 at @1871chicago or visit www.1871.com