creative werks partners with After School Matters to help Chicago teens stay in school and achieve success

creative werks and ASM teens at an urban gardening event at Roosevelt Square Urban Farm.

Chicago, Ill. - creative werks celebrated After School Matters’ 25th anniversary this fall, which provides Chicago teens with high-quality, constructive after school programs.  After School Matters (ASM) program offerings range from workplace internships to music to poetry to computer coding.   On average 30,000 students apply to the competitive program, of which only 15,000 are accepted.

As a company which believes in the importance of education, workforce development, and investing in its communities, creative werks is a proud supporter and sponsor of ASM.  Since its involvement with ASM, creative werks has participated in resume writing workshops, culinary art programs, poetry slams, urban gardening and other programs.  “In partnering with After School Matters, creative werks is able to create a dialogue with Chicago teens about jobs in design and manufacturing and how to start laying the groundwork to explore opportunities in the field,” explains creative werks’ Colleen Coyle, Senior Manager of Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility.  “At creative werks, we value hard workers, problem solvers and self-starters.  Manufacturing is an exciting, high-paced environment and it’s great to see young minds learn about the opportunities in this field.”

ASM reports that nearly 90% of Chicago youth live in or below the national poverty line.  Providing jobs and fruitful opportunities to rise above the poverty line is critical for urban development and job growth.  “Investing in After School Matters is investing in Chicago’s future.  As an employer loyal to Chicago communities it makes good business sense to partner with a program that’s focused on the future of its youth,” remarks founder and President Steve Schroeder.  “It is my hope that creative werks will employ many ASM graduates in the future and that we can show ASM teens what it’s like to work at a factory and make great products from the Chicagoland area.”

creative werks and ASM teens at an urban gardening event at Roosevelt Square Urban Farm. creative werks and ASM teens at an urban gardening event at Roosevelt Square Urban Farm.

Volunteers from creative werks attended the 25th Annual ASM Gala on Navy Pier in September.  The benefit raised funds to help grow and expand the ASM program for more Chicago teens.   ASM reports that Chicago teens who participate in its programs have higher attendance rate, higher graduation rate and are more likely to find employment.

About creative werks, llc

creative werks’ mission is to be the ultimate packaging partner, to deliver the highest quality products that exceed its clients’ expectations and win the hearts of consumers.  The creative werks team brings over 60 years of entrepreneurial energy to its state-of-the-art manufacturing, co-packing and design facility. It maintains SQF Level 3 food-grade facilities to provide both labor-intensive and automated fulfillment for Fortune 100 food brands.   In addition, creative werks is an EPA Green Power Leader and runs nearly one million square feet of space on wind energy.