After School Matters

On June 25, 2003, Baltimore non-profit and city officials attended an OSI-Baltimore forum about After School Matters, an innovative after-school program created in Chicago that gives thousands of youths apprentice opportunities in workforce, academics, arts and technology. BJ Walker, chief of human infrastructure of the Mayor’s Office of Chicago; David Doig, superintendent of the Chicago Park District; and Marisa Silverstein, program director of Chicago’s After School Matters, discussed the lessons they have learned from After School Matters and how Baltimore can develop city-wide programming for its older youth in the after-school hours. The speakers also presented at a City Council hearing that day sponsored by Representative Sheila Dixon (D), who hopes to pilot a similar initiative in Baltimore soon.