Obama Foundation Partners with After School Matters to Launch Youth Programs at Presidential Center

Milton Kirby | Chicago, IL | April 4, 2026

The Obama Foundation has announced a major youth programming partnership with After School Matters, positioning Chicago teens at the center of its mission as the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open this summer.

The partnership will bring paid, hands-on programs to teens across Chicago’s South Side, marking a significant investment in youth development, workforce readiness, and community engagement. The initiative will operate through the Center’s Teen Action Lab, a dedicated space designed to empower young people with practical skills, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

According to the Foundation, the programs will launch in July with two initial offerings: Basketball, Health & Wellness and Volleyball, Health & Wellness. Both programs will take place at Home Court, a key facility on the Presidential Center campus, and are open to high school students ages 14 to 18 from South Shore, Woodlawn, and Washington Park.

Participants will not only gain access to structured athletic programming, but also receive stipends—an important feature that reflects a broader commitment to valuing teens’ time, effort, and growth.

“This is about more than sports,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, in the official announcement. “It’s about building skills, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.”

The collaboration signals a deeper alignment between two organizations with long-standing commitments to youth empowerment. For more than 35 years, After School Matters has provided Chicago teens with access to after-school and summer programs spanning the arts, STEM, communications, and leadership development. Its project-based model, led by industry professionals, has reached hundreds of thousands of young people across the city.

Mary Ellen Caron, CEO of After School Matters, emphasized the broader impact of the partnership, noting that programs like these create safe, welcoming spaces where teens can grow both personally and professionally.

“Sports can be a gateway,” Caron said. “They build confidence, create connection, and open doors to mentorship and opportunity that extend far beyond the court.”

The Teen Action Lab is expected to expand over time, with additional programming and partnerships already in development. Organizations such as My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, Girls Opportunity Alliance, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Library, and Laureus USA are all expected to contribute to a growing ecosystem of youth-focused initiatives at the Center.

The announcement underscores the broader vision behind the Obama Presidential Center—not just as a museum or tourist destination, but as a living civic space rooted in community impact. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Center aims to generate economic opportunity while serving as a hub for education, leadership, and public engagement.

For teens in surrounding neighborhoods, the opportunity is immediate and tangible: paid programs, skill-building experiences, and direct access to mentorship—all within a space designed to reflect their potential.

Applications for the Teen Action Lab programs are now open, with limited spots available. Interested students must complete a Program Interest Form and participate in an interview process.

As the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open its doors, this partnership offers an early glimpse into how the campus intends to function—not just as a symbol of history, but as an active investment in the future.